World Zionist Congress Faces New Crisis As American Delegation Demands Equal Representation with Ame

A crisis threatening to block the progress of the proceedings of the Sixteenth Zionist Congress in session here, and endangering the ratification of the pact between the Zionists and non-Zionists for the extension of the Jewish Agency, arose in the Congress when Louis Lipsky, president of the Zionist Organization of America, presented an ultimatum on behalf of the American Zionist delegation.

Appearing before the Committee on Committees, the American Zionist leader stated that the American Zionist delegation had decided to insist that American Zionists be given representation on the Council of the Jewish Agency, to be created on August 11 at Zurich, equal in number with that of the American non-Zionists. Under the agreement between Louis Marshall, representing the American non-Zionists, and Dr. Chaim Weizmann, representing the World Zionist Organization, the American non-Zionists were given 44 seats on the Council, while the American Zionists are to be represented on the Zionist side of the Council by only 10 delegates. The difference is due to the circumstance that the Zionist representation is to be divided on the basis of a party key, taking into consideration Zionist parties in all countries. Since the total Zionist representation on the Jewish Agency Council is not to exceed 110, the American Zionists’ share must be in proportion to the others, if the party key is adhered to. Mr. Lipsky (Continued on Page 4)

declared, however, that the application of the party key would be an unfair method as the American Zionists are responsible for raising the largest part of the funds placed at the disposal of the Zionist Organization for its Palestine work. He demanded that the American Zionists, like the non-Zionists, be given 44 seats on the Council.

The ultimatum was decided upon at a special meeting of the Administrative Committee of the Zionist Organization of America held here Monday night, and it stated that unless the American are given an adequate number of seats they will not assume the responsibility for their part of the Palestine budget and will be obliged to withdraw their representatives from the important Congress committees, particularly from the budget committee. It was stated that Dr. Chaim Weizmann supports this demand of the Americans, as do the representatives of the American non-Zionists. It was made clear, however, that the 44 seats demanded for the American Zionists are not to be given exclusively to the Zionist Organization of America but are to include Americans who are affiliated with the Laborite Zionist groups and the Orthodox Zionist groups.

The demand of the American Zionists became the topic of discussion among the Congress delegates, as it created a serious deadlock. If the number of the American Zionist representatives is to be increased to 44, the number of representatives from Germany, Poland and other European countries must, of necessity, be reduced, to which the delegations coming from those countries strenuously object. Rabbi Abba Hillel Silver of Cleveland and Judge William M. Lewis of Philadelphia energetically supported Mr. Lipsky’s demand. The opponents of the Americans’ proposal charged that it is an attempt against the principle of democracy, since “a poor Polish Zionist has the same value for the movement as a rich American Zionist.”

The vote on the Agency pact ratification was scheduled for the Tuesday afternoon session, but in view of the new development, it is hardly likely that it will be reached. The spokesmen for the Poale Zion, labor party, which favors the Jewish Agency plan, declared that they will vote against the ratification in case the party key is discarded in the allocation of the seats to suit the Americans’ demand. Opposition to the Americans’ demand is also noted in the Center groups coming from European countries, who are unwilling to sacrifice their representation in favor of the Americans. It is calculated that in case the European and Palestinian Zionists have their way, the American Zionists would have only ten representatives on the Council instead of the 44 demanded.

Among the Americans there is optimism prevailing that the parties will yield to a consideration of the demand, while the spokesmen of the labor groups declare that they see no foundation for this optimism. The matter may be cleared up during the day. A special sub-committee of five was appointed by the Committee on Committees to grapple with the problem.

SEATING ARRANGEMENT ALSO PROBLEM

The Congress is beset by a number of difficult problems. One of the problems that may seem a trifle is the subject of the negotiations among the various groups and factions. It concerns the seating arrangement at the Jewish Agency conference which is to open here on Sunday.

The Zionist Executive, in agreement with the leaders of the American non-Zionists, proposes to permit the delegates to choose their seats, without segregating them into two groups of Zionists and non-Zionists, thus manifesting the new Jewish unity for Palestine. The Zionist groups and factions, however, are hesitant in agreeing to this arrangement, being anxious about their Zionist unity.

Difficulties have also arisen in the praesidium of the Congress, it being reported that Nahum Sokolow, who was chosen president of the session, indicated to Dr. Leo Motzkin, the chairman, that he would like to preside over the sessions at which the Jewish Agency question will be discussed and voted upon. Dr. Motzkin resented this, seeing in it an expression of lack of confidence in his chairmanship. It was stated, however, that he has decided to turn over the gavel to Mr. Sokolow for the Agency debate, in order to avoid conflict.