Well-considered Policy by Britain Essential to Jewish National Home, Samuel Says

A well-considered and carefully framed policy by the British government is the one essential to the Jewish National Home in Palestine, declared Sir Herbert Samuel, first High Commissioner of Palestine, speaking at a dinner given by the Maccabeans today in honor of the Jewish members of Parliament. Major H. L. Nathan presided.

Deploring the distressing events of last year in Palestine, Sir Herbert said he was not one of those who held that the Jewish National Home was imperilled because, although the events there had given rise to very serious considerations and were tragic in their effects, they need not be taken tragically in view of the Palestine enterprise as a whole. Pointing out that the matter of the British policy in Palestine was controversial he declined to go into details but expressed the hope that he would have an opportunity at this session of Parliament to speak on the matter.

Sir Herbert expressed admiration for the Pioneers’ work in Palestine both on the land and in industry. He said, “they must command universal admiration and it is for their sake that we continue our labors so that their efforts are supported. They are a very remarkable people, redeeming the soil and simultaneously interested in all forms of intellectuality. This combination indicates a most hopeful future for the march of civilization.

“Mankind in its historical advance has brought us through the phase of sophistication and is now coming out on the other side. The combination of intellectuality can develop itself fruitfully in the sight of the whole world in Palestine. As for the 15,000,000 Jews who cannot concentrate themselves in Palestine, we must play our allotted part as best we can in promoting the progress of human welfare.”