Question of Ica’s Role in Aiding Jews is Raised by Anglo-jewish Association

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The question of the participation of the Ica, the Jewish Colonization Association, the fund left by the late Baron Maurice de Hirsch, in the amelioration of present Jewish conditions was raised at the meeting of the Anglo-Jewish Association, one of the organizations participating in the administration of the Ica affairs.

The matter was taken up for discussion when Dr. Moses Gaster commented on the accomplishments of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in the land settlement work in Russia. One hundred and fifty thousand Jews have settled on the land in the Ukraine. The Soviet government has given land, timber and transportation facilities to these settlers. Three Soviet banks have advanced the amount of £80,000 for the work. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee has also spent the amount of £80,000. What is the Ica doing? he asked.

Leonard Cohen, vice-president of the Ica Council, replied to the question. The Jewish Colonization Association has decided not to cooperate with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee with regard to the Jewish colonization work in Soviet Russia because of the fact that it is unable to contribute such sums as the Agrojoint is contributing. The Jewish Colonization Association also wishes to limit its activities in that direction and to concentrate rather on the acquiring of land adjacent to the already existing Ica colonies in Southern Russia. The Jewish Colonization Association is willing to learn from the experience of the Agrojoint, but it is at present unable to extend its activities in Russia, he stated.

In his report concerning the activities of the Jewish Colonization Association, Leonard Montefiore also touched on the activities of the Association in Palestine. He stated that the Ica has taken a further step in placing a portion of the available funds with a Palestine loan bank, to enable loans to be extended to the fruit growers’ cooperatives in Palestine.

The president, Mr. Leonard Montefiore, also reported on the work of the United Evacuation Committee. This work has been practically completed. Nearly all refugees in European ports have left for their destinations. Only a few are still detained at Libau. He expressed his fear that as long as the United States quota law will be operative, there will always be some cases of people leaving their homes, hoping to have a chance to embark for the United States, but these cases will be comparatively few, he stated.