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Nathan Straus Backs Untermyer Against Zangwill

October 30, 1923
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The statement of Samuel Untermyer, accompanying his withdrawal from the American Jewish Congress as a result of the speech made before that organization by Israel Zangwill was warmly endorsed yesterday by Nathan Straus, Honorary President of the Congress, to whom Mr. Untermyer offered his resignation. Mr. Straus said:

“Mr. Untermyer’s answer is a marvel. He has diagnosed the case perfectly and I endorse every word he has said”.

Mr. Straus declined to comment on the possible action to be taken on Mr. Untermyer’s resignation. The letter of Mr. Untermyer will be submitted to officials of the American Jewish Congress. Mr. Untermyer supplemented his statement with the following comment:

Personally Mr. Zangwill and I are and have been the warmest of friends and I hope we will remain so. I admire him greatly as a writer and playwright and he is a charming companion.

“Concerning the Palestine movement and the injury he has unwittingly endeavored to do, no words are too strong to express my views. I have said all I care to say on that subject.

“The Palestine Foundation Fund, of which I am at the head in America, is sending annually millions of dollars for the upbuilding of Palestine, which is redouning to the benefit of the Arab as well as the Jew.”

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