Purely Commentary

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

Zioniim—A 'Study in Virtue'

Community to Honor Harry Cohen on 70t11

Birthday at Testimonial Fete on Oct. 6th

Christopher Sykes, son of the late Sir Mark Sykes, deals with
The Jewish community's lead-
two subjects in his book "Two Studies in Virtue," published by
ing movements will join - in hon-
Knopf:
oring Harry Cohen, distinguished
Under the heading "The Damascus Road" he reviews the re- Detroit leader, at a testimonial
ligious movements of the 19th century and the life of Richard evening: at- the Shaarey Zedek,
Waldo Sibthorp, the man who was converted from Anglicanism to TueSday. evening, Oct. 0.
Roman Catholicism and back five times: and the second essay,
This event, which will be fol-
which he calls "The Prosperity of His Servant," is "a study of lowed by -a reception, is part of
the origins of the Balfour Declaration of 1917 and the role played the planning undertaken by the
in the evolution of Zionism by Sir Mark Sykes."
Cohen Testimonial Committee,
He explains the curious grouping of these two essays into one under the chairmanship of Abe
book by stating that the Balfour Declaration. "belonged to the Kasle, in honor of Mr. Cohen's
spiritual disposition of its time" and that the two ideas "grew 70th birthday.
together from considering the end of the preceding age and the
beginning of our own." It is a bit confusing and so, also, unfor- efforts, a forest is being planted
tunately, is his handling of the Zionist issue. He had a remark- in his ,honor on Jewish National
able topic, and we had expected to find in his book a profound Fund soil in Israel.
discussion of his father's share in the realization of the historic
At the testimonial evening
Jewish aspirations for freedom and justice. We had hoped for at the Shaarey Zedek, there
some revelations of unknown facts about Great Britain's role in will be a brief program at
Zionism. We were deeply disappointed with some of the portions which spokesmen for the Zi-
of his book. But there were sections which interested us im- onist Organization, the Jew-
mensely. Had he been a bit more consistent in his approach, his ish National Fund, the United
well-written essay would have attained immense stature as his-
Hebrew Schools, Congregation
tory. The elements of wavering between friendship for Zionism Shaarey Zedek and the Jew-
and a desire to dig up all the negative arguments rob the book ish Welfare Federation — to
of such merit.
which Mr. Cohen has been
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The Sykes-Picot Agreement

Thus, after reading his essay, we found it necessary to go
back to fundamentals—to turn to other historians for basic facts

about the issues Christopher Sykes undertook to discuss. We had
hoped to find in his book a deserved tribute to his father for his
truly important contributions to the Zionist cause. We read it
anew, instead, in Nahum Sokolow's "History of Zionism." For
a concise explanation of the Sykes-Picot Agreement we had to
turn to Ismar Elbogen, who, in "A Century of Jewish Life," . (pub-
lished in 1-944, before Israel's independence), presents it as follows:

Cantor J. H. Sonenklar.
Last week, Mr. Kasle issued
another call to Detroiters to
join- in the completion of the
Cohen Forest. His message
stated:
"On the Eve of Yom Kippur,
we are taking stock of our past
accomplishments and our future
work to be completed.'
. "We are especially anxious to
assure the speedy conclusion of
the Harry Cohen Forest, in hon-
or of the 70th birthday of our
good friend and loyal community
worker.
"Nearly a third of the Forest is
assured. But to plant a Forest in
Israel on Jewish National Fund
soil requires the planting of
10,000 trees, and we must-enlist
the cooperation of more people
to plant another 7,000 trees
needed to finish the job.
"This, therefore, is a follow-
up message to those who have
keenly devoted for many years been vacationing and have been
out of the city, and to those who
—will pay him honor.
The musical program for the either have overlooked the first
letter or were not approached
to participate in the project,
"I urge all Detroit Jews to
join this effort and to help us
honor a man who deserves the
planned honor, by sending us

Local Exhibition
To Honor Raskin

"The history of the Balfour Declaration parallels the his-
tory of the Jewish emancipation. The step was taken; it called
forth approval and opposition; its effects were curtailed by
administrative contrivances and governmental interpretations;
and yet it succeeded in great measure in advancing a noble
end. When His Majesty's Government empowered A. J. Balfour
to issue a declaration upon the future of Palestine, it behaved
like a feather-headed son who disposes of his father's legacy
without bothering to inform himself of its extent. Aside from
the fact that the country was still in the hands of the Turks,
it had already been pledged upon several previous mortgages.
Sir Henry McMahon had made broad territorial promises to the
Sheriff of Mecca; according to McMahon's understanding Pal-
estine was not included, -but the Arabs have never acknowledged
such an interpretation. Moreover, Sir Mark Sykes, one of _the
warmest advocates of !ewish claims, had reached an under-
standing with George Picot, the representative of the Quai
d'Orsay, looking to the partition of Syria and Palestine between
France and England. The right hand knew not what the left
was doing. The French Foreign Minister, Pichon, assured. Na-
hum Sokolow of his wholehearted approval of the •Balfour Dec-
laration in a flowery letter. But when the Palestine question
came up for discussion at the Peace Conference, the French
representative doubted that the disposition of Palestine was
in the jurisdiction of the Allies;- he brought forward the Sykes-
Picot understanding and the ancient historical claims of
France."
We are indebted to Christopher Sykes for the story of France's

endorsement of the Balfour Declaration and the role played in
that episode by his father. On Nov. 1, 1917—the day preceding
the dating of the Balfour Declaration—"there were last-minute
hesitations among the (British Cabinet) Ministers . The Cabi-
net was suddenly doubtful as to the view of their French allies.
It was now that the labors of Sykes and Sokolow bore a second har-
vest with a dramatic suddenness. Mark Sykes went to the French
Embassy for George Picot. He said to him: 'Can you come im-
mediately to Downing Street and tell the Ministers what the
French Government thinks of Zionism? Can you do it straight
away without seekino. instructions from Paris? There are situa-
tions," he added, "in which one must act instantly without referring
to others.' Picot agreed. 'I will come with you,' he said • . . The
last obstacle had been removed and on Nov. 2 the famous letter
was sent to Lord Rothschild."
This is one of the portions of great merit in. Christopher
Sykes' story. Where he muffs the ball is in his constant search
for the opposition, in his emphasis, upon statements like that of
David L. Alexander, president of the Board of Deputies of British
Jews, and Claude G. Montefiore, president of the Anglo-Jewish
Association, whose letter to the London Times is reprinted in
full in • "Two studies in Virtue," while other valuable statements
were overlooked. If the Alexander-Montefiore correspondence
merited so much attention, why not—among others of similar na-
ture—the letter to the Times by Dr. Moses Gaster, whom he treats
as one of the leading Jewish participants in the battle for the
recognition of Zionism?

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The Great: Gentile Zionists

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Mr. Sykes' book is valuable from another point of view: we
learnsabout the noteworthy efforts in support of the Jewish cause
by a group of distinguished British s_ttaesmen. Arthur Balfour,
David Lloyd George, Sir Mark Sykes and - James Malcolm stand
out as the men who fought, often at personal sacrifice, for the
realization of the Zionist idea. Balfour's star rises very high as
a devoted friend of Jewry. The roles played by the other cham-
pions of Zionism were so glorious, as depicted by Christopher
Sykes, that it is cause for sincere regret that they have not
been spoken. of more glowingly. So important were their efforts
that Mr. Sykes is inclined to. state that Gentile Zionists did more
for the Jewish National Home than the Jewish Zionists.
The Lloyd George and Balfour stories, as related by Mr. Sykes,
will require additional comment.
Interesting references in the Sykes story to the attitude of
the Vatican to Zionism, and the episodes that marked, Theodor
Herzl's visit with the Pope, also will require further study. Despite
its shortcomings, "Two Studies in- Virtue,",thus "does" prove
thought-provoking. Its inspiration to further research into Zion-
ist history lends its considerable glory.

2—DETROIT JEWISIA NEWS

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Friday, September 25, 1953

testimonial evening will feature your check for as many trees

(at $1.50 a tree) as you may de- •
tide to plant:
"It is our hope that there will
be many of Mr. Cohen's friends:.
who `will plant Gardens of 100
trees each."

Hadassah Schedule s
Education Workshop

An educational workshop for
members of the Detroit Chapter
of Hadassah has been sched-,
uled for 10 a.m., Oct. 5, at the;
DavisonJewish Center, an-
nounces Mrs. Max Chomsky,
vice-president of education.
According to Mrs. Chomsky,
the program is designed- "to
serve as a master key to the
door of better understanding in
all relationships — the home,
the community, the nation and
the world."
The workshop, she added, will
be of particular interest to
Group presidents, to those who
participate in study groups,,
honor course, education, pro-
gramming and American affairs.
All members are invited.
A fee of $1 will include lunch-
eon and registration. The work-
shop will continue through 3
p.m.

Will Iran Get U.S. Funds
That Were to Go to Israel?

Continued from Page 1

are pleased with the Zahedi coup . because Gen. Zahedi is

taking strong action against Iranian Communists and - dis-

SAUL RASKIN, in a con-
templative mood, puts the
finishing touches on one of his
latest paintings. The works
of American Jewry's most dis-
tinguished painter will be on
exhibit here at Garelick Gal-
lery, 20208 Livernois, beginning
Monday and running to Oct.
18. The exhibition has been
arranged in honor of Mr. Ras-
kin's 75th birthday. In addi-
tion to his• talents as a paint-
er, he is also known as a
draftsman, illustrator and de-
signer of books. He has been
called "the historian of Jewish
spirit and graphic chronicler of
Jewish life through the ages."
Born in southern Russia in
1878, where he received a tra- ,
ditional Jewish education,
Raskin studied art in Odessa,
Berlin and • Paris. He reached
New York in 1904 and turned
to commercial art for a liveli-
hood.
In 1921 he took a trip to
Palestine • which marked a
turning point in his life. From
that time on, Saul Raskin de-
voted himself exclusively to
painting and illustration, al-
most entirely in the field of
Jewish lore.
He became famous for his
illustrated editions of the Hag-
adah, Pirke Avoth, Tehilim,
Siddur, the Five Megiloth and
the "Land of Israel." His most
recent book, a richly illustrat-
ed version of the Kabalah, re-
veals that in • his seventy-
fourth year, the master's hand
was mere cunning than ,ever.

Elect Swede to Restitutions
Court in West Germany

BERLIN, (JTA)—West Berlin's
city government has nominated
Dr. Anders-Torsten Salen, of
Sweden,' as presiding judge of
the new Berlin Supreme Resti-
tution Court, which will be the
final court of appeals on West

German restitution matters.

sident elements. No heed has been paid to warnings o
fascism in Iran. U. S. funds are being poured into that
country. Ironically, a portion of this economic support is
being taken at the expense of Israelis, including some who
fled from Iran to Israel to escape men like the new Iranian
leaders. Nor is Iran satisfied. Gen. Zahedi has made highly.
emotional demands for even more aid. -
An inquiry addressed to. Harold Stassen's Foreign .
Operations Administration revealed that grants to Iran
announced by President Eisenhower on Sept. 5 would be
taken from funds Israel expected to she with the Arab
states. A spokesman for the FOA said the $25,000,000.
would come from the $147,000,000 total provided in the
new Mutual Security Act for economic aid to Israel, the
Arab states, Iran, and certain African territories. •
The exact amounts for Israel and the Arab states were
never publicly specified. It had been promised by the Ad-
ministration that they would share what was left after
Iran and the African territories were given a limited par-
tion.
Israel will also be adversely affected by another grant,
made Sept. 3, of $23,400,000 in technical assistance to Iran.
An estimated $10,000,000 of this amount would come from
the $147,000,000 total Near Eastern appropriation. There-
fore, these two deductions in favor of Iran; plus. the amount
for Africa, would leave Israel and the Arab states about
$100,000,000 to share. A breakdown on the basis of the
sum which would appear to be left would now give Israel
approximately $50,000,000 -about $15,000,000 less than
promised and anticipated.
A definite statement about the amount Israel ,could
expect was made by the 1-louse Foreign Affairs Committee
when it reported out the MSA 13111. The Committee said
"funds for economic assistance will be used to assist Israel
to find homes and useful work for its people and provide for
modest capital development for the purpose of helping Is.
rael to move toward establishing a self-sustained economy.
The content of the program will be the same as it - haS
been for the two previous years." Israel received $70,200,000
in the fiscal year of 1953 and $63,500,000 in the fiscal
year of 1952.
Government officials are now saYing that neither Ism
rael nor the Arabs should have expected any definite sum.,
They characterized the Near Eastern total as a "fluid sum',
subject to distribution to states in the Near East according
to the latest developments involving security against Corm
munism. Iran, they now say, has loomed 'as the trouble
spot in most immediate need of assistance. The current
expressions about the "fluidity" of the funds do not coin»
tide with the expressions of Congress which voted :the
monies for specific and stated purposes.
Administration authorities have declined to commellt
on whether further sums may go to Iran or elsewhere at
the expense of Israel. Nor will , they tell whether an eqUal
division will be made of the sum which remains apparently
for division between the Arab states and Israel.
Secretary of Commerce Sinclair Weeks and big bud-.
ness interests, meanwhile, openly indicated opposition tei,
the whole concept of economic assistance to foreign na.
tions. A 17-member commission named by President Eisen.
hower is surveying the issue to see if such a program should
be continued. These developments are being anxiously ob.
served by Zionists as well as others interested in figh °
Communism by raising living standards.

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