New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-29
Oriental Jews and Congress
Whv the Federation Has Refused to
Take Part in Recent Deliberations

To the Editor OF the IripuHe'
Sir: For some time | have been wanting
TO lay before the public certain facts WIN
reference TO the decision of the Federation
of Oriental Jews of America not 70 partci-
pate in the deliberations or to take part IN
anv of the preliminary activities of the
American Jewish Congress movement re-
Trained from dscharging this just obiga-
ton before this. lest either our organization
or myself would be accused of attempted
interference with the progress OF the cleo
tons held Sunday, or that we were in any
way trying to obstruct the purpose or pro-
cramme Of the congress. Now that the cleo
tons are on. Of the way, 1t Is time TO tell
the whole truth without any reservations
whatsoever.
The Federation of the Oriental Jews agrees
with unrestricted unanimity 70 the follow
ing principles:
First-That the American Jewish Congress
AZ the present state of international affairs
is not only condemned to futility from It's
birth, but may prove source of danger by
meddling in affairs which are altogether
beyond its scope under present conditions,
and which form the subject matter of the
serious deliberations of our government.
Second-Ihat the problem originally sur
rounding the Jewish issue which existed at
the time when the congress was first pro-
posed happily no longer exists, since Russia
has liberated its Jewish population; and
since the largest part of the Jewish problem
was concerned with the condition OF the
Russian Jewry, the largest part of the use
fulness of the proposed congress is nuliihed'
Tbird-That the status Of the Jews in
prrania ia not in any way jeopardlzed at
Tho nresent time. and will not be before the
;ssuc Of the present conflict. In view OF
.hot fact il would be embarrassing to the
heads of our government to deal WIN sue"
problem at the present time.
Fourth-That the only problem when may
Iegitimate!y be taken up at this time Is
nolitical and national problem, one OF the
solutions of which is Zionism. 10 discuss
Zionism is one thing; to convene an Amerl-
can Jewish congress is quite different
thing II tie Zionists feel that the reallza-
.ion Of ,hei, aim is bound up with tine
nowcrs and rrerogatives held by the Iurk-
ISL government III L dAtsNt'4Nf "'''
wish to maze overturcs to the TURKISH gov
eminent this is their course, then Il is
clear that they must cooperate with the
American government as the only agency
which in the present crisis has the right 70
foster the national aspirations OF the jews
and the only agency which can be trusteH 20
deal with the issue, and with some hopo OIL
success.
Fifth-Tne Turkish Jews can neither up
hold the idcn of a Jewish congress at TINS
time nor attend its deliberations, because
the Turkish Jews in Turkey have no quarrel
with their government and there exists no
Turkish Jewish problem outside OF the col
fee-house If the Jewish subjects OF the
Turkish government now living in America
participate IN any Jewish congress, their ac-
ton would imply the assaiment OF the SOW
ereignty OF the Turkish government, when
at the sans time is the sovereign over raj
estine. Thus a double danger would result
first, to their brothers and sisters now living
in Turkey, upon whom the congress may re-
act unfavorably, and it would likewise en-
danger the very prospects Of the Zionist
cause which the Jewish congress claims -
have at heart.
However. the Turkish Jews in America do
not isolate themselves nor are they lndiier-
ent TO the historic events now shaping them
selves. and which ultimately should affect for
the better the condition of the Jews all over
the world, but this does not mean that they are
ready TO convene or congressize or to hold
idle discussions which have no origin in fact
and which can have no solution II indie
pendently considered by American Jews. But
thew do feel that their cooperation and
knowledge of Oriental affairs would help in
discussion of the Zionist issue, and have al
ways been ready. and are now ready. 10 lend
their cooperation whenever called upon, but
always within the loyalty to their place Of
origin and of sense of proportion with
reference to the complex situation which
now prevails j. GEDALECIA,
President Federation OF Oriental Jews OF
America.
New York luna % fn1z