Unequivocal support for the stand taken by President Hoover in his statement on the Palestine anti-Jewish massacres perpetrated by the Moslem Arabs, in which the hope was expressed that the Jewish National Home will emerge with greater strength from the present tragedy, was given by many leading American statesmen, regardless of party affiliation, religious leaders and educators in statements made by them to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency as the result of an inquiry directed by this Jewish news gathering and distributing agency.
Governors of 15 states in the Union, 23 members of the United States Senate, and 72 members of the House of Representatives, expressed approval of President Hoover’s message to the Zionist Organization of America and uttered strong words of condemnation for the attacks on the Jewish population of Palestine.
The duty of Great Britain to accord adequate protection for the population of Palestine was pointed out, and the hope expressed that the British government will take proper measures to secure such protection, and to carry out, in accordance with the spirit and the letter of the Balfour Declaration and the Mandate for Pales- (Continued on Page 2)
Indignation was the prevalent note in the responses of the American statesmen at the barbarities and horrible massacres committed on the Jewish population and in particular against those American Jewish students who fell as victims of the Hebron massacre. The protection of American citizens in Palestine under all circumstances was insisted upon as an undoubted duty of the government of the United States.
Sympathy with the aims of the Jewish movement which seeks to rebuild Palestine as a Jewish National Home and praise for the Jewish pioneers, coupled with appreciation of the Jewish contribution to the development of America’s industry and commerce and along other fields of endeavor, was likewise manifested in the statements. Sympathy for the families of the victims, and words of encouragement for the future progress of the Palestine work were expressed.
Many members of the United States Congress expressed the view that the American nation is greatly interested in the present Palestine situation, and should developments call for it, a strong stand should be taken by the United States government, in cooperation with the government of Great Britain.
Adequate reparation for the losses of life and property sustained, sufficient precautionary measures to prevent the recurrence of similar events, were insisted upon as an indubitable condition for the settlement of the present situation in Palestine.
Among the governors who responded are Governor Dan Moody of Texas, Governor R. C. Dillan of New Mexico. Governor Bibb Graves of Alabama, Governor Greant G. Allen of Massachusetts. Governor Doyle E. Carlton of Florida, Governor Arthur J. Weaver of Nebraska. Governor F. Larson of New Jersey, Governor Myers Y. Cooper of Ohio, Governor John S. Fisher of Pennsylvania, Governor H. C. Baldredge of Idaho, Governor John G. Richards of South Carolina. Governor I. L. Patterson of Oregon, Governor Flem D. Sampson of Kentucky, Governor William T. Gardiner of Maine. Governor Norman F. Case of Rhode Island.
Among the Senators who responded are Senator C. C. Dill. Washington: Senator R. B. Howell, Nebraska: Senator William H. King. Utah: Senator Tom Connally. Texas: Senator Jos. E. Randell. Louisiana: Senator Hamilton F. Kean, New Jersey; Senator T. H. Caraway. Arkansas; Senator Arthur R. Robinson. Indiana; Senator Daniel F. Steck. Iowa; Senator David I. Walsh, Massachusetts: Senator Henry D. Hatheld. West Virginia. Senator James E. Watson. Indiana: Senator E. S. Broussard. Louisiana: Senator F. C. Walcott. Connecticut; Senator Guy D. Goff. West Virginia: Senator Cole L. Blease. South Carolina: Senator Smith W. Brookhart, Iowa: Senator Walter F. George. Georgia; Senator John J. Blaine, Wisconsin; Senator Felix Herbert, Rhode Island: Senator Lee S. Overman, North Carolina: Senator Duncan U. Fletcher, Florida; Senator B. K. Wheeler, Montana.
The following replies were also received from Cardinal O’Connell, of Boston; Bishop Ernest M. Stires, Garden City, L. I. and former New York Governor Alfred E. Smith.
BISHOP ERNEST M. STIRES, BOLTON NEW YORK
-“I feel a profound sympothy for our Jewish brethren. I am convinced England will quickly protect them and redress their wrongs.”
CARDINAL O’CONNELL (MASSACHUSETTS), BOSTON, MASS
-“My deepest sympathy goes to those who have suffered by the unfortunate conflict now going on in Palestine. I regret profoundly that peace and order have been so ruthlessly disturbed, with the loss of many innocent lives, especially of the young men studying in the Holy Land. I pray to God that peace and order may be soon restored and that the rights of all be conscientiously respected.”
ALFRED E. SMITH (BY JOSEF ISRAELS), NEW YORK
-“In the absence of former Governor Smith from the city, I repeat to you the following statement on the Palestine situation issued by him last week: ‘I have read with the greatest regret of the massacre of the Jews in Palestine, and it is hard to believe that such uncivilized methods still exist in this modern world. I extend to the Jews of the entire world my deepest sympathy in this hour of sorrow’,”
JAMES J. DAVIS, SECRETARY OF LABOR
-“While sharing with all America the regret and horror it feels at the killings of Jews in Palestine, I am confident my friend, the Right Honorable Ramsay MacDonald, Prime Minister of England, meant what he said when he told the League of Nations at Geneva that England will do her duty in protecting the population of Palestine under her mandate. Undoubtedly the promise will be kept and order restored.
“Deplorable as these outbreaks have been they may yet serve a purpose in drawing new sympathy and support to the struggle of the Jews to bring progress to the Holy Land and make it a home and cultural center for their people.”
JAMES W. GOOD, SECRETARY OF WAR
-“I am deeply concerned for the safety of American citizens residing in the Holy Land but there is an international phase of this question which properly comes with in the jurisdiction of the State Department and I believe, therefore, I should not express an official opinion regarding it.”
Statements by the Governors appear on Page – by the Senators on Page 5, by the members of the House on Page 7.
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.
