London Reports on Passfield-weizmann Interview Conflict

The British capital and with it the world at large has heard two versions as to what Lord Passfield. Colonial Secretary of the Labor government, the former Sidney Webb, agreed upon with Dr. Chaim Weizmann, president of the World Zionist Organization and of the Jewish Agency Council concerning the future policy of the British government in Palestine.

The British Colonial Office on Thursday morning issued the following statement:

“Statements as to the policy of the government with regard to Palestine, attributed to Dr. Weizmann, fail by reason of their incompleteness and want of accuracy to convey the purport of Lord Passfield’s conversation with Dr. Weizmann and cannot be taken as authoritative.”

The conversation between Dr. Weizmann and Lord Passfield took place Wednesday and the “Evening Standard” in its Wednesday afternoon edition quoted what was alleged to be Dr. Weizmann’s report at a meeting of the English Zionist Federation, according to which Lord Passfield promised the Zionist leader that the British government would: first, change the Palestine administration which is responsible for the riot; second, that the British government will more vigorously (Continued on Page 12)

stand by its promise contained in the Balfour Declaration and, third, that the Colonial Minister recognized in principle the justice of the Zionist demand for compensation for Jewish lives and property lost during the Palestine disturbances.

The London press published on Thursday morning the following semi-official statement: “Lord Passfield received Dr. Weizmann at the Colonial Office yesterday. A discussion took place on the Palestine situation. Dr. Weizmann formulated the following demands: 1. Adequate reparation for the loss of Jewish life and property; 2, changes in the Palestine administration; 3. a clear restatement of the Mandatory government’s policy in regard to Palestine. Lord Passfield replied assuring Dr. Weizmann that there is no change in the British government’s policy regarding Palestine and that adequate steps are being taken to safeguard Jewish life and property.”