2—T111,
THE a r jili-

End plinter Campaigns,'
CFIATF Conference Urged

PHILADELPHIA, (JTA), — An
appeal to check multiple and un-
coordinated campaigns for cash
and materials for Israel and Eu-
rope was made by numerous
Jewish leaders - at the • opening
session of the 17th annual General
Assembly of the Council of Jew-
ish Federations and Welfare
Funds, attended by more than
1,000 representatives of Jewish
communities from all parts of the
country. The leaders urged the
communities to take joint action
to eliminate • the "miscellaneous
and uncoordinated" drives and' to
assure unified national fund-
raising to meet overseas needs. .
Pointing out that the "splinter
campaigns" constitute. a formid
able threat to the efforts of the
United Jewish Appeal to raise
funds on a national level, the
speakers emphasized that unless
the communities, a c t jointly;
through the Council of Jewish
Federations and Welfare Funds,
the situation will deteriorate to
an important extent. The call to
eliminate these multiple "mush-
room campaigns" was voiced by
Daniel Shirnan - of Newark, chair-
man, of the Council's Committee

on • National-Local R e. l a 0 ,6 n
Harold Glasser ; 6birector of .the
Council's. Institute on • Overseas
Studies; 'and Herman L. Weis-
man, national chairman of the
United Palestine Appeal.
Glasser bitterly .attacked the
International Refugee Organiza-
tion for ``shamefully neglecting"
to carry out its "elementary res-
ponsibilities"- for the care and re-
settlement of displaced Jews in
Europe.
SChwartz, Euro-
Dr. Joseph
pean chairman of : the Joint „Dis-
tribution Cornmittee, told the
delegates that 1949 is the "critical
Year" in the Prograi• in
behalf of the Jews of Europe.

- Michigan delegateg at the sessions
included the following:. Benton Har-
bor: David Ross. Detroit: William
Avrunin, "Louis Bel, Mrs. Hyinan C.
Broder, Mrs. Paul ' . Broder; Paul P.
Broder, Mrs. Abraham Cooper, Abra-
ham Cooper, Mrs. Lewis B. Daniels,
Mrs. Max -R. Frank, Mrs. Samuel R.
Glogower, Mrs. Joseph Holtzman,
Joseph Holtzman, Mrs. John C. Hopp,
Mrs. Harry L. Jackson. Herman Ja-
cobs. Julian H. Krolik, Mrs. Theodore
Levin. Judge Theodore Levin, Ben M.
Mandelkorn, Esther R. Prussian, Irwin
Shaw, Ben L. Silberstein, Harold Sil-
ver,. Isidore Sobeloff, Mrs. Ira Son-
nenblick. Ira Sonnenblick. Abraham
Srere, Mrs. Joseph M. Welt, 'Mrs.
Henry • Wine/nail, Henry Wineman.
Flint: Rabbi . Morton 'Applebaum,
Harry A. Heller.

Purely Commentary

By PHILIP SLOMOYITZ

Weizmann on Aqaba: President Truman 'Ai Good as His Word"

Dr. Chaim Weizmann's autobiography, "Trial and Error," pub-
lished this week by Harper, throws light on the crucial issue affect-
ing Israel's possession of Aqaba (Akaba). Israel's President, in his
description of tense events which preceded the Nov. 29, 1947; UN
decision, states, "it was proposed to cut out from the Jewish State a
considerable part of the Negev, taking Akaba away from us. Ever
since the time of the Balfour Declaration. I had attached great value
to Akaba and the region about it. I had circumnavigated the gulf of
Akaba as far back as 1918, when I went to see the Emir Feisal, and.
I had a notion of the character of the country. At present it looks a
forbidding desert, and the scene of desolation masks the importance
of the region. But with a little imagination it becomes quite clear
that Akaba is the .gate. to. the Indian Ocean, and constitutes a much
shorter route from Palestsine to the Far East than via Port Said and
the Suez Canal."
A dramatic tale unfolds in Dr. Weizmann's . autobiography. - He
tells for the first time the story of his visit with President Truman
to whom he spoke of Akaba and pleaded that if there is to be a
division of the Negev it Should be
vertical and not horizontal, giv-
AWARA
ing Akaba to the Jewish State.-
Here is the story in Dr. Weiz-
mann's own words:
"If Akaba were taken away
from us, it would always remain
a desert, or at any rate for a very
•
long time to come. As part of the
CYPRUS
Jewish State it will very quickly
become a part of development
YR1A
and would make a real contribu-
.0"
tion to trade and . commerce by
opening up a new route. One can
, AU3TINE
foresee the day when a canal will
TRANS- \
be cut from some part of the
JORDAN
Mediterranean coast to Akaba. It
Zane'
is not an easy undertaking, but it
has already been adumbrated by
American and Swedish engineers.
This would become a parallel •
highway to the Suez Canal, and
could shorten the route from Eu-
rope to India by a day or more.
"I pleaded further with the President that if the Egyptians chose
to be hostile to the Jewish State, which I hope will not be the case,
they can close navigation to us through the Suez Canal when this
becomes their property, as it will in a few years: The Iraquis, too,
can make it difficult for us to pass through the Persian Gulf. Thus
we might be cut off entirely from the Orient. We could' meet such an
eventuality by building our own canal from Haifa or Tel Aviv to
Akaba. The project has a great many attractive pOssibilities; and the
mere fact that such a thing could be clone,would 'probably serve as a
deterrent against closing the road to India for the Jews.
President Truman promised to communicate Dr: Weizmann's
views to the U. S. representatives at Lake Success. As Herschel
Johnson and General Hildring were communicating to Moshe Sher-
tok the earlier U. S. decision to take the Negev and Akaba from the
Jews, a call came through from Washington, and President Truman
told them that "he considered the proposal to keep Akaba within the
Jewish State a reasonable one, and that they should go forward with
it." Dr. Weizmann adds:
"Obviously the President had been as good as his word, and
a few short hours after I had seen him had given the necessary
instructions to the American delegation."
Dr. Weizmann points out in the record .of the hostoric days of •
November 1947 that he was "extremely happy to find that the Presi-
dent read the map very quickly and very clearly" in his presence.
Our readers will find the accompanying map of interest in explana-
tion of President Truman's decision at the request of Dr. Weizmann.
At Cyprus (1), where Britain continues to hold Jews in detention
camps, there are British warships and British troops have been sent
from Suez (2) to Aqaba (3), the excuse being that Jews are endan-
gering the peace of the Middle East as a result of the shooting down
of five RAF planes at Rafa (4). But there is irrefutable proof, pro-
vided by the two captured RAF pilots at Tel Aviv, that the British
planes were downed not over Egypt but over Israel's territory, one
of the planes having crashed near the Jewish settlement of Nirim.
On top of it comes the interesting revelation that the RAF pilots were
advised, if attacked, to bail out over Israeli territory and not to risk
being murdered by Egyptians if they make an emergency landing in
Egypt.
Evidence is mounting against British sabotage of UN decisions
and the former mandatory power's disregard of the basic rights of
Jews in Israel. It is the most disgraceful chapter in - modern history.
In juxtaposition, President Truman's friendly and helpful attitude
will place him on record as the Christian leader who has done more
than any other non-Jew in advancing the cause of a Jewish State.
Dr. Weizmann's persuasiveness has influenced such action. To under-
stand the events just referred to, one must read the complete story
in Dr. Weizmann's "Trial and Error."

TURKEY -

11,

4

EGY

1949

Maximum Effort Asked for
UJA in $250,000 Drive

Jewish Congress
Petition Demands
DP Act Revision

Plans for 'Little TVA' Revealed at Atlantic City Conference
By Military Governor of Jertiisalein; Eban Says U. S.

Won't Back Britain Against Israel

The executive - committee of the
Detroit. Division of the American
Jewish Congress - has launched a
campaign to secure 59,000 •signa-
tures ..to a- petition, urging the
81st Congress of the United States
to enact six.%amendments to the
Displaced Persons :Act of 1948,
"to bring it into conformity with
American democratic praCtic es
and principles:" • - -.-
The Corigress petition urges the
following amendments;

1. To allow any DP who entered the
camps before April, 1947 to benefit
by the Act.'
2. To repeal that section which
mortgages future immigration quotas;
3. To repeal the section granting
special preference to DPs from coun-
tries defacto annexed by a foreign
power;
4. To expand the definition of elig-
ible displaced persons to include all
victims of Nazi racial and religious
persetution;
. 5. To .repeal the. section giving per-
sons of German etbnic origin special
benefits;
6. To permit the legalization of the
immigration status of DPs now in this
country without requiring advance
Congressional approval.

`The New Israel'
Theme of B and P
Regional Meeting

"The New Israel" is the theme
of the Hadassah Business and
Professional Institute to be held
at. the Sovereign Hotel, Cleve-
land, b., Jan. 29 and 30, under
sponsorship of the Central States
and Western Pennsylvania re-
gions, of which Detroit is a mem-
ber. Proceedings will be conduct-
ed by Rose Bloom' of Toledo, na-
tional board member of Hades.:
sah.
The Institute opens Saturday
evening with a political session,
followed by 'a reception at which
the Cleveland- Business and Pro-
fessional Division will be hostess.
Sunday's• sessions are • geared toA
stimulate, and promote 'Spirited
membership participation through
workshops and Clinics. At lunch-
eon, a panel presentation will
demonstrate how the Israeli cabi-
net works.
Reservations for this luncheon
must be made no later than Jan.
23, and are being taken in Detroit
by Roslyn A. Corn, 3211 Glendale;
TO. 5-0071.

military governor of Jerusaelm,
revealed that the Israeli Govern-
nient . is planning to launch a
"little' TVA" at a cost of approxi-
mately $206,000;000 to Make the
Negev a home for 300,000 Jewish
refugees. The establishment of
many settlements in that ,
area has already been blueprint-
ed and construction will begin as
soon . as the necessary funds can
be made available, Dr. Joseph re-
pOrted.

- Liquidate DP Camps

Edward M. M. Warburg, chair-
man of the JDC, said that barring
accidents, the work undertaken
for the displaced Jews of Europe
would be completed within three
years, Warburg told the delegates
that by this time next year

raised more than $500,000,000 dur-
ing the 10 - years of its existence.

Dr. Joseph J. Schwartz, chair-.
man of the JDC European Execu-
live Council, reported that the
emergency phase of relief work
for Europe's Jews is, practically
completed and that during this.,
year major stress will be laid on
emptying the Jewish DP camps,
speeding *nearly 200.000 immi-
grants to Israel and expanding
the aid program in North Africa,
Herman L. Weisman, acting na-,
tonal chairman of the UPA, and.
Edwin Rosenberg, USNA presi-
dent, addressed the conference.

Truman Praised

President Truman's attitude in
the present situation in Israel '
and his persistent efforts to liber-
alize the DP Immigration Law in
the U. S. were hailed in a reso- -
lution adopted at the closing ses-
sion of the UJA Conference.
The Conference concluded with-
out adopting any decision with-
regard to inviting Henry Mor-
genthau, J•., to retain the general
chaiamanship of the United JeW-
ish Appeal campaign. for ,
000;000 in: 1949: The' matter was'
left open for a decision to be
taken , by the , Joint Distribution
Committee and the United Pales-'
tine Appeal, the two major eon-c
Stituent , agencies of the UJA:
(Detroit delegates . at the UM
conference were: William Avru
nin, 'Lbuia Berry, gm Max' R.'
'Joseph Holtzman, Mrs: "
John C. Hopp,' Mrs; Harry . L:
Jackson,' Julian H. Krolik, Daniel '
A. Laven, Judge Theodore Leviri,
Mrs. Theodore Levin, Esther R.
Prussian, Isidore Sobeloff and
Mrs. Joseph M. Welt. Rabbi Mor-
ton Applebaum represented the
.
Flint Jewish:community).

By BORIS SMOLAR

(Copyright, 1949,. Jewish Teleg:aphic Agency, Inc.)

Diplomatic Notes

Baruch Lumet, noted character
actor of stage, screen and .radio,
will make a personal appearance
at 8:30 p. m, Monday, Jan. 24, at
the Northwest Hebrew Congrega-
tion social hall, CUitis at Santa
Rosa, under sponsorship of the
Northwest Men's Club.
Luniet has wen acclaim in his
portrayals as Fischke, The Lame
Orie, Paramount's "One Third Of a .
Nation," the Broadway Production
of the "Eternal Road," and many
other stage successes.
A pioneer in the field of drama,
he is actively associated with the
Yiddish Art Theatre, N. Y., War-
saw People's Theater, and the
Vilna TrOupe.
Lurnet's successes as a play-
wright include a book of plays,
"Theater for Children," and ar-
ticles for current periodicals. He
is 'a former director of drama of
the Hebrew Literature Sotiety of
Philadelphia.

.

Hamisha Asar Programs

In adopting the $250,000,000
quota for 1949, the UJA confer-
ence called upon American
Jewry to make its maximum
effort. "This is one historic
Jewish hour; this is American
Jewry's historic opportunity,"
the call :said.. Action on the
quota was taken after_a special
committee -analyzed the budg-
etary requirements which the
United Palestine Appeal, Joint
Distribution Committee and
United Service for New Amer-
icans submitted. -
Dr. Bernard Joseph, Israeli

only 30,040 Jews should remairv,
in the DP camps—these will in-
clude people unable to go to
Israel bebauie -they are ill; and
those awaiting immigration to,
the United States and other
lands. He also dwelt at great
length on the' plight- of the Jews
iri North Africa:
William 'Rosenwald, national
UJA- chairman, in a keynote ad-
dresk emphasized that the UJA

Between You and -

NW Men Present
Baruch Lumet
Monday Evening

Farband Schools Plan

-

ATLANTIC CITY, (JTA)—The
governMent and the people of
the United States will not assist
Britain in any attempt that may:
threaten :-the existence of Israel;
Aubrey. S. Eban, Israeli repre-
sentative to the United Nations,
told the 1,200 delegates attending
the national: cbriftrenee of the
United -Jewish. Appeal which pro,:
claimed a $250,000,000 quota for
1949. -
Bitterly attacking British mili-
tary manipulations against Israel
and charging the British ,Govern-
ment with endangering the peace
and sabotaging truce- negotiations
between Israel and the Arab
states, Eban said:- "It has been
made abundantly plain to me in
conferenees in Washington and
New York that .the assistance of
the United -States Governinent
and people is not available for
any project which threatens the
existence of Israel."
—

The miscalculations of British military men with regard to Israel
are now becoming obvious in Washington to. the great embarraes-
ment of the British government Also, some U..S. military experts
have reason to feel embarrassed . . . A 'year ago they predictednot
for publication—that the Jews in Israel would be wiped out in a :war
with the Arabs ... Now they cannot help but admit that foreca.sting
a war is like forecasting an election... . • It is now recognized in
Washington that next to Turkey, Israel is the most dominating factor
in the Middle East . Opinion in Washington today is that military
strategy must adjust itself to the fact of a strong Israel in the midst
of unstable Arab countries .. Although, no more forecasting is now
being done with regard to Israel, there are elements in Washington
who believe that Israel, can be dominated by the U. S. . .. They
argue that, although winning battles, larael is facing economic diffi-
culties and needs American dollars .•Diplomats feel that they can
use this situation as a lever.

The UJA Issue

The national conference of the United Jewish Appeal at Atlantle
City was the most peculiar Jewish gathering I have ever attended .
Here 'were 1,200 leading Jews from all -parts of the country discuss-
ing behind the scene and in the lobbies the major issue but carefully
avoiding raising it from the floor of the Conference. . .. Such a model
of self-imposed discipline of 1,200 Jewish community leaders is hard'
to find in the annals of American Jewish history... . It was prompted
by the, desire for Jewish unity ... The issue was': should Henry Mor-
genthau, Jr., be--asked to retain the WA general chairmanship for
1949. 'unconditionally, or should it be stipulated that he cannot re-
employ Henry Montor . . Everybody;' wanted Morgenthau but, as
could be expected, there was a sharp split 01i:the' question of Montor,
and it was obvious that Morgenthau might not accept the chairman-
ship if conditions weer attached to it. • . Stormy caucus meetings
were held by the pro-Montorites and anti-Montorites, and at times it.
looked as if the. issue might explode on the floor of the convention.
. . . But this did not happen due to the self-imposed control on the
part of each of the delegates.
Under the existing UJA agreement, each of the two partners-
JDC and IJPA—must approve the selection of a general chairman for
the campaign . . . While JDC wants -Morgenthau with no strings
attached, the UPA executive decided by, a majority vote against the
re-employment of Montor ... Both partners will now try to induce
Morgenthau to accept the general chairmanship. . . Some -Zionist
leaders suggested, that Dr. Joseph Schwartz, European director of
JDC, be named general chairman of the UJA campaign ... How-
ever, neither Schwartz nor JDC leaders accepted this suggestion.

David Sislin was installed as
chairman of the Farband schools
at a recent meeting.
Arrangements are being made
for the observance of Hamisha
Asar b'Shevat. Trees will be
planted in Israel- by the children
and there will be special pro-
The JDC and the UPA—the two principal partners in the
grams.
United Jewish Appeal—have reached an understanding on the
New children will be enrolled
in all classes during the coming . distribution of the UJA funds during 1949 ... JDC is to get 45
percent of the first $100,000,000 collected . . . The proportion is
weeks.
even more in favor. of UPA on anything collected above that stun.
Israeli movies are being shown
. . . The agreement has to be approved by the Jewish Agency
at Farband schools.
and by the Jewish National Fend in Jerusalem.

.