The White House announced today that the visit of Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of Israel, to the United States has been postponed until late in April, because of Dr. Weizmann’s health.
The Israeli President vas expected to attend a New York dinner arranged by the American Committee for the Weizmann Institute of Science on February 19. President Truman hoped to be present at the testimonial dinner for Dr. Weizmann.
The text of the White House statement reads as follows:
The President has learned with deep regret that Dr. Chaim Weizmann, President of the State Council of Israel, has been compelled by illness to postpone his visit to the United States until April. The White House has been informed that Dr. Weizmann’s illness is not of a serious character and that he will be able to preside over the newly-elected Constituent Assembly. However, his physicians have counseled him against exposure to a sharp change in weather conditions and have strongly urged that he wait until the Spring.”
The White House also made public the text of a cablegram sent by President Truman to President Weizmann, reading: “Deeply regret to learn of your illness. We are all praying for your speedy and complete recovery. Looking forward to our meeting again. Sincerely yours, Harry S. Truman.”
In his cablegram to the President, Dr. Weizmann said: “I regret to inform you that my physicians decline permit me to undertake a voyage to the United States before Spring. I should, accordingly, be grateful if you could find it possible to agree to the postponement of the function to a suitable date In the latter part of April. I am deeply conscious of your friendship. With renewed assurances of my high esteem. Sincerely yours, Chaim Weizmann.”
DR. WEIZMANN SUFFERS FROM NEURALGIA; N.Y., DINNER CHANGED TO APRIL 23
The Israeli mission here said that Eliahu Epstein, Israeli envoy to the United States, had conveyed his appreciation to President Truman for adjusting the date of Dr. Weizmann’s projected visit. The mission said they understood that Dr. Weizmann was suffering from neuralgia and that his physicians had insisted he should not be exposed to winter weather. The statement pointed out, however, that Dr. Weizmann was able to vote in the recent Israeli elections and that he will preside over the Israel Constituent Assembly, which will open February 14.
In New York, Abraham Feinberg, chairman of the arrangements committee for the “Salute to the President of Israel Dinner,” said the dinner would be postponed until April 23. “We are very grateful to the President for agreeing to come to the dinner in honor of Dr. Weizmann on the new date,” he stated.)
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