U.S. Leads in Collection of Zionist Funds, Antwerp Parley Told

The United States held first place in collection of funds for Jewish reconstruction work in Palestine, according to a report prepared for submission to an international conference of the keren Hayesod, pales tine foundation fund, opening tomorrow evening. More than one-third of the Keren Hayesod’s income in 1937 came from the United States while in the first half of 1938, a half million dollars more was collected than in the same period last year. The american drive was conducted in 330 large towns and cities, among them 120 localities where the collections were connected with local welfare funds.

The report emphasized the many difficulties in Palestine upbuilding work to be expected in coming years because of uncertainty of the political future, limited immigration possibilities and the effect of the disturbances on Jewish settlements.

More than 100 delegates from 30 countries have arrived here to participate in the five-day conference, at which Zionist leaders will publicly discuss the Jewish situation in Palestine in the light of current disorders for the first time since the Zionist Congress at Zurich last August. Rabbi Solomon Goldman, president of the Zionist Organization of America, who arrived here after a tour of pales tine, and louis lipsky, vice-president of the Z.O.A., are heading the American delegation.

The focus of interest is the address of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the World Zionist Organization, on Saturday evening or Sunday, which will mark the first time since the congress that the leader of world zionism will deal in an extensive public address with Palestine developments. Leaders of the Keren Hayesod are expected to appeal for increased funds to maintain Jewish reconstruction work in pales tine.