Digest of World Press Opinion

Is it in the competence of the Jewish Agency to enter the business of selling news?

This question, which is now being answered in the negative by many Zionists and non-Zionists in America, is replied to in the affirmative in Der Yiddisher Kaempfer, the organ of the Poale-Zionists in America, affiliates of the Laborites in Palestine, who, when failing to establish a censorship over the J.T.A., utilized their dominance in the Executive of the Jewish Agency to start a partisan news service from Palestine with the funds of the Agency.

Comparing the protests against the Agency with the protests “on the part of certain industrial circles in America against the United States government’s entering into business,” Der Yiddisher Kaempfer, the Laborite Zionist organ says.

“The Executive has full right to sell news #o newspapers if it will only do so efficiently, interestingly and, what counts most in a conscientious manner. The question as to whether it is in the competence of the Executive to sell news cannot be discussed in this case.”

The same issue of Der Yiddisher Kaempfer, commenting editorially upon the resolution which the Mizrachi convention in Detroit adopted last week, stating that “the World Zionist Executive is not binding unless it includes representatives of ALL Zionist groups;” says:

“There is enough room for doubts of a principal nature as to whether the Zionist Executive must always be composed of al groups and factions. An executive is not a place for representation—for that there is a congress. It is not an organ of control—for that there is an Actions Committee which dictates between one congress and the next the lines which Zionist politics and activity are to take. The executive is primarily an administrative organ which should engage in as little discussion as possible and should do as much work as possible and have results in mind.”

NEED FOR COALITION OF ZIONIST EXECUTIVE

The Hadassah, official organ of the Women’s Zionist Organization of America, speaks in its recent issue of the necessity for establishing a coalitionary Executive of all parties in the Zionist movement rather than an Executive of one party, as is the present one. Under the title “Peace in Zionism,” the Hadassah writes:

Zionists have been sorely distressed at the lack of unity among the various parties since the last Congress. Leaders have felt that every effort should be made to settle party differences and bend all energies towards the actual upbuilding of Palestine now.

The first steps towards a solution of differences was taken when 100 Group A and Group B Zionists from 16 countries met this fall in Cracow and drew up a program of joint effort. This program has two objectives: (1) to establish a union between Group A and Group B Zionists; (2) to make the General Zionists a real factor at the next Congress. It was felt that to serve Palestine best the next Zionist Executive elected should be a coalition of all parties, rather than an executive of one party, as is the present one.

STERN’S SUGGESTION OF EMIGRATION GROUP

The Spokesman of Louisville, Ky., publishes the following editorial:

J. David Stern, publisher of the New York Post, and other Eastern dailies, makes a logical suggestion, which were it possible to follow out, would go a long way toward solving many of the problems in connection with Jews unwanted in the countries they now reside. He proposes, in his own words, “to create a Jewish emigration corporation which would be able to float an international Jewish loan by means of a $100,000,000 bond issue.”

This sum would be employed to enable Jewish immigrants to enter many countries where, with a little capital they would be welcome, but where, in their present condition with the possibility of their becoming public charges the doors are closed.

“The beneficiaries of such an undertaking,” Stern continues, “would eventually be in position to repay the loan while bondholders would have contributed to at least a partial and practical solution of the present situation.”

If Stern, he is known to do would prosecute this idea with real vigor, something may come of it, although the pressing need for funds for actual relief is a formidable obstacle. The real value of the suggestion, is however, that at some time in the near future, the plan may be tried out, although on a much smaller scale.

IMPORTANCE OF J.T.A. TO WORLD JEWRY

The importance of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency to Jewish people all over the world is emphasized by the Weekly News, the official organ of the Australian Jewish Community, which is published in Melbourne. The paper writes:

A good deal of misunderstanding exists as to the object and work of the J.T.A. People think it merely a business organization and therefore should be able to stand on its own feet. These people do not realize the all-important essential Jewish work which the J.T.A is doing. Behind the J.T.A is an idea.

The Jewish Telegraphic Agency established its journalistic apparatus some seventeen years ago The men behind it were convinced that the drama of the Jewish people would provide a tale of human endeavor that must be told to Jew and Gentile alike. They felt that much of the prejudice that has fallen upon the name of Jew. much of the malice which has grown on the fertile ground of ignorance and bigotry, would be brushed aside and disappear as the rays of light and truth turned towards them.

To prove its hypothesis, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency has had to establish a world wide apparatus which provides news hot off the wires; to adopt a policy which would protect it against the charge of propaganda or the bias of its own Jewish prejudice. In going to the depths of Jewish life to gather news, the Jewish Telegraphic Agency has adhered to a line of strict impartiality, no matter where its search has led. And this quality of impartiality, though sometimes difficult of attainment in face of the innumerable, and growing conflicts between one Jewish party and another, was essential in the struggle to break through the indifference of a world press which had been accustomed to view Jewish news as different.

That the Jewish Telegraphic Agency has met with a great measure of success in this struggle, is evidenced by its penetration into the Jewish press throughout the world, in all languages in which newspapers are published and into the non-Jewish press of America, Europe, Asia and Africa.