New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-25
American Federation at
Annual Convention Starts
$l,OOO,OOO Fund
Brandeis Gives $4,000
u. S. To Be Asked to Recog.
nize Autonomous Home
for Jewish People

Baltimore, June PA total Of Sab
COO was pledged here tonight at the
twentieth annual convention Of the
Federation of American Zionists tow
ard fund of 100000 to equip an in
dustrial army to 90 TO Palestine and
prepare the way for its occupation by
Zionists. More than 1000 delegates
have registered.
Justice Louis D. Brandeis. of the Su
preme Court, pledged $4,000, while
Mrs. Joseph Fels, of Philadelphia,
pledged $4,000 San Francisco Zion
lists guaranteed $4,000, Los Angeles
$4,000. Ohio $4,000, Virginia $4,000,
Buffalo $1,000. Sioux City $4,000, Phil
adelphia s25O,OOO and Chicago $4,000.
Other contributions are to be counted
tomorrow.
The leading issues will be taken up
tomorrow. These include the framing
Of en- appeal to the United States gov
eminent to extend recognition to Pal
estine as an autonomous home for Jew
ish people, the raising of funds to
equip an industrial army to so TO Pal
estine as soon as the war is over 10
prepare the territory for occupation
and the laying of plans Tor the Jewish
congress in Washington in September.
Jewish Autonomy Planned
This congress IN September is TO lay
the foundation for Zion for jewish
autonomy. and in recent elections OF
delegates to the congress the Zlonists
gained the majority. The antl-Zion-
lists are cooperating in the congress be-
cause of peace agreement under
which the Palestine project was not
treated decisiyely.
Dr.. Stephen S. Wise, of New York, IN
his address, sounded a warning 10 those
who threatened TO bolt at the congress.
lie babe defiance TO the opponents OF
natiOnalism, and warned ZiOnlsts 70 pc
careful when selecting other leaders
not to trust their cause IN lnmical
hands. lie said:
"Zionism will ask no favors from the
American Jewish Congress nor yet from
any congress, jewish or non-Jewlsh.
The American Jewish Congress. how
soever it be constituted, and even If
the very Zionists who have been elect
ed to its membership should withdraw
therefrom, would still be a luminous
proof Of the potency OF the Zionist
ideal in trans ormng the soul OF the
Jewish people.
"And as for those who now threaten
to withdraw or to absent themselves
from the American Jewish Congress,
let me remind those gentlemen that
the American Jewish Congress is 10 be
the business of all the Jewish people.
The Congress would have been despite
these gentlemen; II necessary, II would
be without them Many ruled them
selves out of the American Jewish Con-
gress, but no group of individuals can
override the will Of the entire Jewish
people. We should not be prepared TO
compromise If the difficulties were ten
times as great as they are; II the OPP
position were mighticr than ~ is to-
day"
Contest for Officers
There will be a sharp fight when the
election Of officers takes place on Tues
day. The committee on democratic
Zionist policies, which opposes the
present administration methods, has
issued a statement IN which il IS de-
clared that peace can only be secured
by giving due consideration and whole
hearted satisfaction TO the demands
Of various groups Of our organization.
The administration is out of harmony
with its constituency Make the or
ganization truly representative and
democratic. invite fun expression of
opinion and full freedom of action and
h., 20 cf Il af fef 20 OF 10 a nd
terness will disappear"
The adherentS OF the administration
maintain that the insurgents are out
Of tune with the spirit of progress.
DR.. Harry Friedenwald. president of
the Federation, in his opening address
insisted that "Zionsm has room for
only one organizations; that those who
conceive of working independently
through individuals or though small
groups deceive themselves as well as
those whom they mislead."
Mayor Preston. in welcoming the
delegates to-day, declared Zonism IAN
other movement toward worldwide de-
mocracy."
An ovation 10 Supreme Court Justice
/ Brandeis as he came upon the stage of
the convention hall. marked the open
ing session. The cheering continued
ten minucts.
A debate between the administration
and administration parties en-
livened the afternoon. The clash was
over the naming of the steering COM
mittee.
The report of Jacob De Hass. secre-
tary of the provisional executive com
mittee for Zionist affairs. denied that
the emancipation Of the jews in Russia
had removed the cause for Zionism, and
declared that every change in the polit-
ical fortunes of the Jews in Europe
has augmented instead Of weakened
the Zionist forces"
Protests IN Aid Teachers