The Jewish delegation which called upon President Hoover and Secretary of State Stimson Tuesday morning, also was received during the day by Vice-President Charles Curtis, Senator William E. Borah, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Sir Esme Howard, the British ambassador, who issued an official statement following the interview.
A sub-committee of the delegation also called upon Senator William King of Utah, who has long been a friend of the Zionist movement.
The crucial situation in Palestine, arising out of the massacres by Arabs in that country, was presented by the delegation.
All the officials seen by the delegation manifested great concern regarding the situation and were emphatic in their assurances of every possible aid which could be rendered. Emanuel Neumann and Rabbi Israel Goldstein acted as spokesmen for the delegation. Following the audience with Ambassador Howard, the ambassador issued the following official statement:
“The British ambassador received at the British Embassy at 1 P. M. today a delegation of representatives of the Administrative Committee of the Zionist Organization of the United States.”
In reply to the delegation, Sir Esme Howard said: “I should like first of all to convey to you and through you to the Zionists of America my deep personal sympathy and regret for the deplorable events which have taken place in Palestine. I know that this feeling is shared by all the British peoples, and that their thoughts are especially with all who have lost those who are near and dear to them. I have unfortunately no later news to give you than you have yourselves, for I have only the accounts which have appeared in the press. You have, however, expressed the hope that every possible step is being taekn by His Majesty’s government to meet the emergency, and that a thorough and impartial inquiry will be made to determine the causes of the disorder. Of this I can give you my full assurance. Adequate forces have been despatched to the scene to prevent a continuation of the disturbance, and every protection that the British government can afford will be extended to all inhabitants of Palestine, whether American or of other nationalities. Furthermore, you may be sure that a dispassionate and impartial investigation will be held of all that has happened and of its causes. Any representations or message which you wish to address to His Majesty’s government should, of course, be conveyed through the channel of the State Department and the United States Embassy in London. It will, however, be my privilege to inform my government of your call this morning, and of your courteous and generous expressions of confidence. May I say once more how sincerely the British people share your grief and distress, and assure you that nothing will be left undone for the protection of all who are in Palestine and for the restoration of tranquility.”
The delegation was composed of the following representing the Zionist Organization of America: Dr. David J. Kaliski, Acting President, Nelson Ruttenberg, Bernard Rosenblatt, Judge Gustave Hartmann, Rabbi Israel Goldstein. Herman Bernstein, Emanuel Neuman, Dr. A. Coralnik, Jonah J. Goldstein, Charles A. Cowen.
Hadassah-Zionist women’s organization: Mrs. Robert Szold, President. Independent Order Brith Abraham: Former Congressman Nathan D. Perlman, Grand Master.
American Jewish Congress: Bernard S. Deutsch, President.
Avukah, Zionist Student Organization: Max Rhoade.
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.
