Evening star., 1938-01-23
A|NGETSPLEA
OF JEW|SHPARLE
Palestine Conference Asks
CoIonizing Be Aided to
Utmost.

Expressing concern over new op-
pressions OF Jews in Rumania, Ger
many and Poland, the National Con-
ference for Palestine opened q two
day session at the Maynower Hotel
last night. A plea was addressed to
Great Britain urging full implementa-
ton Of its mandate and the Balfour
Declaration so Palestine may be
opened to colonization Of a maximum
number of Jews from Central and
Eastern Europe.
President Roosevelt, who will send
q message to the conference at its
session today through Secretary Of
Interior Ickes, yesterday told DR..
Stephen s. Wise, national chairman
OF the United Jewish Appeal. sponsor
Of the conference, that he profoundly
regrets oppressive measures against
Jews.
Roosevelt Interest Cited.
1T is not necessary" DR.. Wise told
reporters on leaving the White House,
ito secure from the President in re-
affirmation that persecution of racial
and religious minorities is abhorrent
to his own soul. The Presidents in
terest and his concern for the de-
velopment of national Jewish home
in Palestine has been expressed on
many occasions"
Shortly after the conference opened,
four representatives of the Arab League
OF Washington paraded in front of
the Mayflower bearing placards pro-
testing Zionist Invasion of Palestine.
The picketing was passed of lightly at
the beginning Of the session. officials
stating that the activity "out front"
is indicative Of the type of opposition
we are now facing in the Holy Land"
In radio address prior to the OPEN
ing Of the conference, Nathan Strauss,
administrator Of the United States
Housing Authority, said "the rebuild
ing Of Palestine is the primary oblga-
ton OF the Jewish people themselves,
especially we Jews in America.
We who are so fortunate as to pos
sess at once the heritage Of Judaism
and the heritage Of Americanism," he
added, must extend to our kinsmen In
the lands Of oppression the chance for
a rebuilt ufe-for some measure OF
happiness in the one place set aside
as refuge by the law of the nations
the Holy Land of Palestine"
More than 1000 representatives of
Jewish communities throughout the
country are attending the conference
which is the first American Jewish
assembly since the issuance of the
British Royal Commission report rec
ommending partition as the only solu-
ton to the Arab-Jewish problem.
The increasing oppression of Jews
IN European lands is only an evi.
dence OF spiritual sickness in the ma.
tons where they live" and the failure
OF the world to resist persecution is
tragedy Of apathy and indifference,
Mr.. Straus also commented.
The session was opened bv DR.
Wise. who reviewed the Jewish situa-
ton abroad and particularly the prob
LENS OF Jews in Rumania, who are
threatened with expulsion, and OF
Jews In Germany. who are now threat
ened with complete economic stranru-
la1on. He cited the growing need for
increasing Palestine settlement in or
DER to provide a permanent home TO,
many thousands of those who have
been made homeless as a result OF
widespread discrimination and eco
nom1c, political and civic restrictions. "
Revolution In View Described.
Simon Shelter. chairman of the
Jewish Community Council Of De-
troit. presided. After DR.. Wise's ad-
dress, DR.. Joachim Prinz, noted Ger
man rabbi and Jewish leader. de.
scr1bed the revolution" which had
occurred in. the outlook of German
JeWry as a result of the Hitler re-
gime. Ludwin Lewisohn, the American
critic and novelist, described the at
tltude OF liberals toward the Jewish
problem and particularly toward the
rebuilding of Palestine as a solution
OF that problem. Ittamar Ben Avi.
Palest1nian editor and publicist. dis
cussed the growth of the Jewish COM
munity of Palestine and its place in
the general world Jewish situation.
Harold jacob of New York, chair
man OF the Finance Committee Of the
United Palestine Appeal, presented
report showing that during 1887 the
Jews Of America had contributed
s2325, 5,212.76 to the United Palestine
Appeal. which is the sole fund-rais-
ing instrument Of American Jevry
Tor the national upbuilding program