Louis Lipsky Replies to Critics of Zionist Administration

A reply to the criticism directed against the administration of the Zionist Organization of America and against Dr. Weizmann in connection with the recent exchange of letters between him and Mr. Marshall was made by Louis Lipsky, president of the Zionist Organization of America, in an address he delivered Sunday night at the meeting of the Downtown Zionist District.

A rising vote of confidence was given Mr. Lipsky by the district members, following his address.

“Speakers at a meeting held last week in New York, seemed to forget that the resolutions adopted at the Vienna Congress, which we American Zionists sponsored, for which we fought and for which we voted, stand as the approved Zionist policy with regard to the Jewish Agency,” Mr. Lipsky declared. “It is this policy Dr. Weizmann has pursued, and to which we have given the strength of our support. Although we were involved in a controversy with the United Jewish Campaign, which, under the circumstances, could not, we believe, have been avoided, we did not, in spite of great provocation, abate in our allegiance to the plan for the extension of the Jewish Agency, of which Dr. Weizmann has been the unfaltering protagonist. The policy of the World Zionist Organization has been and is our policy. We made that evident once again at the meeting of the Actions Committee held in London in July, 1926.

“Since his arrival in America, Dr. Weizmann has worked incessantly, in various directions, with our fullest cooperation. Every step taken by him, whether with regard to the Jewish Agency, or to the United Palestine Appeal, or in other important political and economic activities, has been taken in consultation with the American Zionist administration.

“The drawing up of the statement with regard to the International Commission and the Jewish Agency, the exchange of letters between Mr. Marshall and Dr. Weizmann, were steps taken with my knowledge, consent and cooperation, and the Administrative Committee was duly informed of action proposed, and gave its approval in advance of the action taken. I knew of the contents of the letter Dr. Weizmann addressed to Mr. Marshal immediately after it was drafted. It was then submitted to the Administrative Committee and to the Executive Committee of the United Palestine Appeal. Although its form was severely criticized from the moment it was seen and at the said meeting, it was the unanimous sentiment and vote that, under the circumstances, anxious as we were to see a state of peace established, interested as we are, above all things, in the strengthening of our difficult work in Palestine, we should forego all criticism, forget the past and, for the sake of Zion, sanction the exchange of letters which carried with it as its preamble that splendid document which sanctions the formation of the International Commission for Palestine, and will in due time, we hope, establish an effective Jewish Agency in accordance with the resolutions of the Vienna Congress.

“This may be ‘meekness,’ but sound Zionist public opinion will give it its true value. It will commend such an act of restraint as the highest form of moral courage in public affairs,” Mr. Lipsky stated.