New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-04-02
Great Possibilities in Pal
estinc," DR.. Syrkin
Declares
East Side Favors Plan
Congress Will Be Called for
September 2 Unless Events
Force Earlier Meeting

Palestine for the Jews" was the
cry of the Jews yesterday. The victory
By the English in Palestine revived the
desire for Jewish republic in the Holy
Land. The cry was sounded in the
streets of the East Side. The Yiddish
press yesterday devoted columns to
editorials demanding such a free state.
Prominent speakers at the meeting Of
the executive committee arranging for
an American Jewish Congress, which
was held in Temple Emanuel. demanded
immediate action on the plan.
The question came up at the meet
ing Of the committee when DR.. Nahum
Syrkir attacked Louis Marshall for
moving that the American Jewish Con-
gress be held at time TO be selected
by the administrative committee of the
executive committee of 40.
The events Of the last few days have
created great possibilities for the Jews
in Palestine" said DR.. Syrkin. Eng
lands troops are now at the gates Of
the Holy Land. English public opinion
is for giving Palestine to the Jews. 1t
is therefore absolutely necessary to call
a congress of American Jews to express
their opinions and demands concerning
Palestine. At this historical moment it
isl crime to postpone the congress-
The American Jewish Congress, which
has been discussed and acted upon
since the war started, was originally
set for May of this year. Owing to
the delay in formulating methods OF
election, the administrative committee
decided TO postpone the congress to a
later date. DR.. Syrkin, who was backed
by Isaac A. Hourwich, Gustsve Hart
man and others, proposed June II. This
was opposed yesterday by Henry Nor
genthau. Louis Marshall. Julian Mack,
Rabbi Stephen s. Wise and Adolph
Kraus, head Of the B'nai Birth; Cyrus
s. Sulzberger and others on the ground
that the United States was now on the
verge of a serious international crisis
and that it would not be fair TO the
Jews TO do anything in haste. The OPP
ponents to the earlier date recommend
ed September as the proper date for
holding the Congress, which will seek
the amelioration of the condition Of
the Jews abroad.
I'VE are now in the midst OF most
trying times" said Mr. Morgenthau.
The patience displayed by the Amer
can government has been most admir-
able and should serve US as an ex-
ample
"In the light Of what may fall on the
American people in the way Of burdens
tomorrow declared Rabbi Wise, let
US postpone the congress
The date finally voted upon for the
congress was September 2, with pro-
vision stipulating that the administra-
tive committee be empowered to call II
sooner or later, according as the inter
national crisis will permit. The com
mittee also voted TO send resolution
congratulating the provisional govern
ment in Russia on behalf of the Jews
IN America.
In discussing the proposed Jewish re-
public in Palestine the "Warhelt'' a
Yiddish daily, yesterday said that such
state was ceasing to be the dream OF
millions of Jews and that it was be
coming living political possibility
which will be taken up by the powers
at the peace conference Of nations at
the end Of the war.