U.S. Christians Join Protest Move

Christian leaders rallied today to save the Palestine Jewish homeland, one group sending a cabled appeal to Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain that Britain not abandon her pledges to the Jews while another group called on Christians of the nation to seek united States intercession with Britain.

The cable to Mr. Chamberlain was made public by the newly-formed Provisional Committee on Palestine Policy. It declared that abandonment of the pledges to the Jews “would be regarded by the entire world as a surrender to the forces of violence and hatred now sweeping the world; it would be a blow to christian honor and a most damaging blow to the prestige of great Britain which holds this honor in her keeping.” it was signed by 36 Christian lay and clerical leaders.

Several governors and senators and a large number of clergymen and educators signed an appeal, sponsored by the pro-Palestine federation of America, calling on Christians of all denominations to request the united states government to use its good offices with Britain to remove restrictions on Jewish immigration.

Senator William H. Smathers of New Jersey telegraphed President Roosevelt and Secretary of State Hull from Atlantic City, calling upon the Government to insist upon “complete fulfillment of the Palestine mandate in view of the plight of great masses of Jewish refugees from many lands.”

In a statement yesterday, Representative Emanuel Celler of New York urged the President to inform Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain that the United States “views with great concern and alarm a departure by great Britain from its obligations” under the Balfour Declaration.