The Denver Jewish news., 1925-09-10
Stephen Wise, Leading Member
of Zionist Delegation,
On Palestine or Crimea
Notable Address Delivered Before Zionist Congress at
Vienna, When DIR. Wise, President of the American
Jewish Congress Took the Chair.

; war years 1915, 1916 and 1917 1t was
impossible to hold Congresses, confer
ences and sessions in order to dis
cover the opinions of European Jews.
War days required war measures. We
had to act according to our lights, but
even then there were more thorough
consultations with European Jewish
leaders than took place in the present
instance. Now there is no war Now
we can call together the Jewish lead
ers and groups and ask them to con-
slider the great plan for wholesale
colonization in Russia, in the Crimea.
Did this happen? 1t is my right and
duty to ask in your name: Were the
European communities consulted?
"As an American jew | am pre-
pared to consider the project if it is
not offered as substitute for colo
nization in Palestine but for colonial
tion in Mexico or in South America.
There must not be any competition be-
( tween Palestinian and Crimean col
onization. | have been informed that
there is no intention to put Crimean
colonization in the place of work for
Palestine but actually for some time
past Crimean colonization has been
given priority over colonization in
Palestine. This has been done with
out due and thorough consideration.
After the Cleveland convention Il
wish to emphasize the word after)
Weizmann performed a great service
I for Zoonism. His work for the Zionist
organization and the Keren Hayesod
cannot be sufficiently appraised. But
he could not go to the Joint and de-
mand five millions from their funds
for work in Palestine.
Had he made this e mand his wish
would probably not ha Ee been granted
even if he had pointed to the forty
year work in Palestine. But now
few people having spent a few days
in Russia, returned and demanded
five millions pounds for Crimean col
onization. They were promised this
sum without moments hesitation.
The money will be collected and dis
| tributed in accordance with the plan
announced unless this Congress has
the courage to address the leaders of
American Jewry earnestly. We de-
mand that the American leaders, be-
fore they grant five millions for colon
iZation in Russia, Crimea or Ukraine
test the comparative advantages to
be secured from the expenditures of
such sum in Russia rather than from
similar expenditure for the recon-
struction of Palestine. They must
weigh and consider this matter with
the utmost caution. | should be the
last to wish to delay the formation of
the Jewish Agency by even one day.
We have great responsibility in re-
gard to the Agency, We must ask our
selves what our situation will be when
the Agency is formed if projects such
as are being supported today, are ac-
cepted. Edmund Burke said that there
! must be relationship between the
price paid and the thing bought. To
keep still at this Congress concerning
the project for Russian colonization
would be too great a price for the
4 gency. We must speak clearly and
plainly. | am not opposed to Jewish
colonization in itself, but am Zionist
and wish to be certain that those able
to carry this project through should
prove its fitness and necessity before
] as an American Jew agree to plan
which will cost more than five million
pounds - sum which might be used
much more fruitfully if put at the
disposal of the new Jewish settlement
in Palestine.
Perhaps this Congress will decide
to be silent. | as Zionist cannot be
silent. | am not interested in whether
my present remarks were parliament
tary or not. | wish to say word of
warning as long as there is time. a
great danger is bound up with the
project for Crimean colonization, other
dangers than those which we under
take with open eyes when we work for
colonization in the land which will be
ours.
II wish to express the hope tha,
it will not be long before the leaders
and supporters of the Brandeis and
the Mack group again take their place
as active workers in the service of
the Zionist movements and the Zionist
organization