Summary of Address by Morris Rothenberg at Z. O. Luncheon to Gen. Smuts

Morris Rothenberg stated that with the advance of years the Treaty of Versailles would come to be regarded as having ushered in a new era of great promise to the human race. “By virtue of that treaty,” he said, “there came into life the League of Nations, an instrumentality that seeks and in a considerable measure has succeeded in substituting reason and justice for the archaic resort to armed dispute. Today the League is stronger in prestige and in influence than at any time since it was organized and the thinking world looks to it as the brightest hope of civilization.”

Mr. Rothenberg praised the efforts of General Smuts in laying the foundation of the League and stated that as the League’s significance became clearer General Smuts would be honored even more. The Jews, he stated, had more reason to thank General Smuts for they knew of his significant part in the recognition of the historic connection of the Jewish people with Palestine and the issuance of the Mandate for the establishment there of a Jewish National Home.

“If there be those who claim grievances against the Jews or the government of Palestine, “said Mr. Rothenberg, “then the great slogan which you, (turning to General Smuts) have coined in international relations is applicable to Palestine too: ‘To the Conference Table.’ Murder and pillage as a means of satisfying claims whether fancied or real must be banished even in the Holy Land.

“In the trials we are now experiencing, it is indeed a comfort to know that you, General Smuts, who represent in so outstanding a degree in the world today the idea of international justice and good will, have been and remain an understanding friend of the Zionist cause.”