The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1918-03-29
LORD READING ANNOUNCES HE
 IS A ZIONIST
English Ambassador Avows Adherence to Movement
 For Jewish State.
GREATEST PASSOVER
 IN 20 CENTURIES
Jewish Governmental Com mission Due in Palestine
 Jewish Cup Filled.

The avowal by Lord Reading, Am bassador and High Commissioner for Great Britain, of his adhesion to the Zionist movement, which has for its purpose the establishment of a Jew ish State in Palestine, and the an- day of a Jewish governmental com mission to begin the first practical steps toward the realization of that purpose, combine to make this Pass over, which begins at sundown to- night, the happiest event in Jewish history since the beginning of ''the exile" 2,00O years ago.
 In his statement, which he gave to Reuben Fink, a well-known Wash dngton Zionist and newspaper cor respondent, with authorization for its publication through the Provisional i Zionist Committee, Ambassador Reading not only pledges his support to the movement, but speaks in high est praise of the splendid energy of the American Zionists." He has warm words of praise for the whole hearted way in which the Jews of America have thrown themselves in- l to the war, and also for the Jewish units which have organized here and abroad for service in Palestine. It is his earnest wish that these units strike a blow for the freedom of the world in the land of his ancestors.
 You ask me for a message to American Jewry especially regard ing the Declaration of His Maesty's s Government in favor of the estab- lishment in Palestine of National Home for the Jewish People.
 T need not say that warmly support that Declaration in both my t public and private capacity. have moreover, been profoundly impress ed by the splendid energy of the American Zionists and by the whole hearted way in which, to no small extent under their leadership, the Jewish people of the United States have thrown themselves into the war. Though I feel that the many thous- ands of Jews who have enlisted in- dividually in the armies of the ! United States and of the Allies arc serving the cause of humanity as use-  interested in the Jewish units which are being recruited on both sides of the Atlantic. It would be magnit1- cent if some of them could strike a blow for the freedom of the world in the land of our ancestors.
 "In the meantime I am glad tc think that Palestine is being rehab- ilitated, even while the war contin- ues, largely by Jewish money and Z Jewish energy and am especially , pleased to be in the country which has provided so large part of that money and no small amount of that energy. My good wishes are with the l Zlonists of the United States in the great work that is before them in l giving effect to the Declaration of the British Government and I shall es teem anything that I may be called upon to do in connection with tha' { work as not the least important ol the least satisfactory part of my du kes as British Ambassador II Washington"
 This is the day set for the arrival in the Holy Land, of the Administra tive Commission, which, after hay ing been received in audience b. King George departed from Londol on March 7th. It was organized b. z the International Zionist Organiza tion following the declaration b Great Britain, on November Enc that His Maesty's Government vie1 with favor the establishment of Pal estine, as a National Home for tn Jewish People, and will use thei best endeavors to facilitate this oh ect," and the official approval, las month, of this declaration by Franc and Italy, and is fully sanctioned b the interested Powers.
 It will find a. country wrecked b the war, which, at its outbreak C the war was blooming like the ros' with over 50 prosperous Jewish agr- cultural colonies. modern villages, a educational system ranging from tn
 kindergarten to the high-school,
 banking system, and an ever-expand ing commerce. Sir Mark Syke British Under-Secretary for Foreig Affairs, declared several months az that it is the mission of Zionism be a bridge between Asia and Flu 2 Opc, IO lAl0 SpAlAbudALy O1 FAoi to Europe and the vitality of EuroI to Asia
 ''I believe you will see Palestir the great centre of ideals, radiatin
 out to every country in the worl where your people are," said s
 Mark Sykes himself a Catholic.
 feel that you will always look bac
 with joy to the fact that when u
 promise was Neld out to you of r
 demption, you thought not only
 yourselves, but thought of your fe
 lows in diversity, the Armenians ar
 the Syrian Arabs" He added tn
 he looked to see the Jews, the A
 menians and the Arabs become u
 great civilizers of the Orient, wi
 all three nations giving to the wor
 the good that God has infused
 them"