Oscar Straus, in an interview with the correspondent of the J.T.A. declared that his mission in Palestine was unofficial. He purpose is to improve the relations between the various communities in Palestine. With this in view he visited the new Caliph, King Hussein, at Amman, and during the conference he pointed out to him the importance to the Mohammedens of maintaining friendship with the Christians and the Jews. Mr. Straas also stated that he would visit the Greek Catholic Patriarch in Jerusalem, and possibly, have a conference with Cardinal Barlassina, the representative of the Pope in Palestine.
With references to the endeavors carried on now in America by Dr. Chaim Weizmann to secure the co-operation of American Jewry in the upbuilding of Palestine, Mr. Struas said: “I favor the plan of the Jewish Agency, as proposed by Dr. Weizmann, and believe that the Jews of the entire world should participate in the reconstruction of Palestine. This task requires two things-money and patience.”
He came to Palestine, he said, at the invitation of Sir Herbert Samuel and at the request of Dr. Chaim Weizmann. He has found a great change for the better in Palestine, and concluded the interview with the statement, “Palestine is a wonderful country.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
