British Delegation Arrives; Sir Herbert Samuel Denies Plan to Aid Jews Emigrate by Flooding World Wi

A delegation consisting of three of Great Britain’s most noted Jews arrived here today on the Cunard liner Majestic, under the chairmanship of Sir Herbert Samuel, first British High Commissioner for Palestine, to consult with American-Jewish leaders on plans to aid German Jewry.

The other members of the delegation are Viscount Bearsted, philanthropist and chairman of the Shell Oil Trading Corporation, and Simon Marks, vice-president of the Zionist Federation of England and chairman of Marks and Spencer, British chain store enterprise.

Acting as spokesman for the trio, Sir Herbert read a statement to members of the press in which he declared that the delegation had not come “with any specific proposals, but rather to discuss various plans, and to agree upon methods for aiding the Jews who are forced to leave a country in which their lives have been made intolerable.”

Discussing the financial aspects of the mission, Sir Herbert said:

“It is fully realized that whatever proposals are adopted, funds from all over the world on a much larger scale than hitherto will be needed for their application.”

In answer to a question by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency representative, Sir Herbert stated that “as far as I am aware” British-Jewish leaders had not been approached by representatives of the German Government, as had been reported from London, with any proposals to activate mass emigration of German Jews.

Sir Herbert also flatly denied the report which had appeared in the New York Times to the effect that the delegation would present a proposal to American-Jewish leaders embodying a plan to help German Jews emigrate by flooding the world with Nazi goods. “There is no truth whatever to that report,” Sir Hebert said.

The delegation while in the United States, where Sir Hebert said they intended to stay “not more than a fortnight,” will make its headquarters at the Waldorf-Astoria. Acting as honorary secretary for the group is Joseph L. Cohen, lecturer at Cambridge University, who accompanied the delegation here.

The British-Jewish leaders were met at the Cunard pier by Felix M. Warburg and Morris Rothenberg. Their first public appearance in New York City will be made at a reception in their honor next Tuesday night at Temple Emanuel by the Joint Distribution Committee. They will be among the chief speakers February 1 and 2 at the national conference on Palestine in Washington.

Following is the complete text of the statement issued by Sir Herbert in behalf of the delegation:

“In a situation so grave as that which is now confronting the Jewish population of Germany, it is essential that there should be a close and effective cooperation between those groups in other countries who are willing and able to render assistance. We have not come with any specific proposals, but rather to discuss various plans, and to agree upon methods for aiding the Jews who are forced to leave a country in which their lives have been made intolerable. Large numbers of them have gone or will go to Palestine, others in smaller numbers to other countries. We hope to have the opportunity of engaging in discussions with the representatives of the organizations in America who have already done so much for the Jews of Germany. It is fully realized that whatever proposals are adopted, funds from all over the world on a much larger scale than hitherto will be needed for their application. It is our hope that during our visit we may be able to agree upon plans, both administrative and financial, which will be effective to secure the object in view–to help in the rescue of as large a number as possible of the Jewish population of Germany from the tragic position in which they have been placed.”