Vandenberg: A Chapter in American Zionist History
(Continued from Page 2)
in one column, even to scratch the surface in commenting upon
the brilliant career of Senator Vandenberg, with special refer-
ence to his Jewish attitudes, your commentator desires to make
note of only one other matter, involving a local item: Less than
two years ago the Morris Schavers, desiring to bring to this
country the sole survivor of an entire family, five-year-old Itzhak,
who now is their adopted son, met with obstacles. Itzhak could
have been considered Polish-born. In that case he would have
to wait 12 years to be admitted to this country from Canada,
where he was brought in from France by the Schavers. Senator
Vandenberg promptly introduced a bill to declare Itzhak cf French
origin. Congressman John D. Dingell introduced a similar measure
in the House of Representatives. Both bills were adopted by the
two Houses of Congress and were signed by President . Truman.
That act is on record to the credit of Senator Vandenberg and
Congressman Dingell as an indication of their humanitarian in-
terests.
"The good acts of Senator Vandenberg were multiplied a
thousand times by his kindly intercessions. He was, indeed, a
conservative Republican, especially from the Democrats' point
of view. But when he was faced with issues that called for
human considerations, he rose above party politics.
"In all the years that we conferred with him he never—not
once—showed the slightest interest in this commentator's political
preferences. We were concerned with grave matters involving
the security of the Jewish people, and we stuck to this point.
On this score he was unselfish and always honorable. If only
for this reason alone—which is one of many—we honor his mem-
ory—as we honored and respected him in his lifetime."
The last paragraph in my tribute to Vandenberg has
some significance. Indeed, he never asked me how I
voted, what my party affiliations were if I had such an
affiliation. We did treat the Zionist issue on its merits
alone. He was too ill when Israel gained statehood to be
approached again.
* *
Dr. Schechtman's "The United States and the Jewish
State Movement" deals at great length with Harry S.
Truman. That section, too, could be greatly enlarged
upon. A review of the record will show that there were
many protests, numerous complaints, appeals that seemed
to fall on deaf ears. but HST came through with flying
colors in 5-itical times.
But he needed to be pleaded with. As president of
American Association of English-Jewish Newspapers, I
engineered a nationwide press appeal to President Truman
to deal justly with the displaced persons who must find
refuge and for whom only Palestine provided refuge.
It was on March 5. 1948, that this nationwide appeal
was made. (It reappeared in The Jewish News on Jan. 21,
1966.)
At the outset, one might have been left with the im-
pression that the appeal fell on deaf ears. For many
weeks thereafter, there were frantic calls upon the admin-
istration to act, urging President Truman to intervene
in behalf of the displaced persons who were languishing
in camps under tragic conditions.
In the early years of Truman's occupancy of the White
House, there were many efforts to get action in behalf
of the survivors of Nazism. One full-page advertise-
ment in the New York Post, inserted by the New Zionist
Organization, read: "President Truman Joins With Britain
in Blocking Jewish Freedom." A Young Zionist Actions
Committee statement warned: "Let not the Administra-
tion believe that by issuing further declarations of sym-
pathy, it will succeed in sugar-coating this bitter pill."
The American Zionist. Emergency Council, in a six-
column ad in New York papers, challenged Truman
admonishing him in reference to British actions in Pales-
tine that "Mass death sentences are imposed by military
courts on Jews who resist Britain's illegal rule." A
Greater New York Zionist Actions Committee six-column
ad, signed by hundreds of prominent people, similarly
challenged President Truman. Hundreds signed an Open
Letter to the Democratic National Committee, reminding
it of the pladges to the Zionist movement at the political
convention and in Truman's appeal to Britain to admit
100,000 Jews into Palestine.
Meanwhile, politics played an important role in the
proceedings. There was talk about "a Zionist threat" to
deliver the vote to Thomas Dewey in 1948, and the Chi-
cago Sun-Times wrote editorially on Nov. 6, 1948: "Al-
though President Truman was criticized for his wavering
position on Palestine, he seems to have received a large
Jewish vote throughout the country." The fact is that
Truman was aided to an immense extent by Jewish sup-
porters. But earlier, Aug. 18, 1946, the Chicago Sun
wrote editorially in criticism of the President under the
heading, "Mr. Truman's Hedge on Palestine."
Truman himself, in his memoirs, indicated that he was
irritated by Zionists. When Life Magazine published a
critical editorial, "The Crisis in Zionism," in 1961, it
defended its position by quoting from President Truman's
memoirs:
"The persistence of a few of the extreme Zionist
leaders—actuated by political motives and engaging in
political threats—disturbed and annoyed me . . . As the
pressure mounted, I found it necessary to give instruc-
tions that I did not want to be approached by any more
spokesmen for the extreme Zionist cause."
Why, then, did I on more than one occasion, again
at the time of the dedication of the Truman Peace Center
at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, on Jan. 20, 1965,
acclaim Harry S. Truman . as "the Second Cyrus"? That
was well deserved. In time of crisis, Truman came through.
He rejected pressures from the State Department, and
Schechtman's book describes it well. He spoke of those
in the State Department as "the striped pants" diplomats.
He made his appeal for the admission of 100,000 Jews
to Palestine. He rejected Bevin's arrogant attacks, and he
was the first to recognize Israel's statehood.
Especially impressive was his reply to King Ibn Saud
of Saudi Arabia, who issued threats over the effort to
encourage an open door for the refugees in Palestine.
On Oct. 28, 1946, Truman wrote to Ibn Saud:
Your Majesty:
I have just received the letter with regard to Palestine which
Your Majesty was good enough to transmit to me through the
Saudi-Arabian Legation under date of Oct. 15, 1946, and have
given careful consideration to the views expressed therein.
I am particularly appreciative of the frank manner in which
you expressed yourself in your letter. Your frankness is entirely
in keeping with the friendly relations which have long existed
between our two countries, and with the personal friendship be-
tween Your Majesty and my distinguished predecessor; a friend-
ship which I hope to retain and strengthen. It is precisely the
cordial relations between our countries and Your Majesty's own
friendly attitude which encourages me to invite your attention
to some of the considerations which have prompted this Govern-
ment to follow the course it has been pursuing with respect to
the matter of Palestine and of the displaced Jews in Europe.
CITES DISPLACED JEWS
I feel certain that Your Majesty will readily agree that. the
tragic situation of the surviving victims of Nazi persecution in
Europe presents a problem of such magnitude and poignancy that
it cannot be ignored by people of good-will or humanitarian in-
stincts. This problem is world-wide. It seems to me that all of us
have a common responsibility for working out a solution which
would permit these unfortunates who must leave Europe to find
new homes where they may dwell in peace and security. Among
the survivors in the displaced-persons centers in Europe are
numbers of Jews whose plight is particularly tragic, inasmuch
as they represent the pitiful remnants of millions who were de-
liberately selected by the Nazi leaders for annihilation. Many of
these persons look to Palestine. as a haven where they hope
among people of their own faith to find refuge, to begin to lead
peaceful and useful lives, and to assist in the further develop-
ment of the Jewish national home. The Government and people
of the United States have given support to the concept of a
Jewish national home in Palestine ever since the termination of
the first World War, which resulted in the freeing of a large
area of the Near East, including Palestine, and the establishment
of a number of independent states which are now members of
the United Nations. The United States, which contributed its
blood and resources to the winning of that war, could not divest
itself of a certain responsibility for the manner in which the
freed territories were disposed of, or for the fate of the peoples
liberated at that time. It took the position, to which it still
adheres, that these peoples should be prepared for self-govern-
ment and also that a national home for the Jewish people should
be established in Palestine. I am happy to note that most of the
liberated peoples are now citizens of independent countries. The
Jewish National home, however, has not as yet been fully de-
veloped.
It is only natural, therefore that this Government should
favor at this time the entry into Palestine of considerable num-
132rs of displaced Jews in Europe, not only that they may find
shelter there but also that they may contribute their talents and
energies to the upbuilding of the Jewish national home.
It was entirely in keeping with the traditional policies of
this Government that over a year ago I began to correspond
with the Prime Minister of Great Britain in an effort to expedite
the solving of the urgent problem of the Jewish survivors in the
displaced persons camps by the transfer of a substantial number
of them to Palestine. It was my belief, to which I still adhere,
and which is widely shared by the people of this country, that
nothing would contribute more effectively to the alleviation of
the plight of these Jewish survivors than the authorization of
the immediate entry of at least 100,000 of them to Palestine. No
decision with respect to this proposal has been reached, but this
Government is still hopeful that it may be possible to proceed
along the lines which I outlined to the Prime Minister.
At the same time there should, of course, be a concerted
effort to open the gates of other lands, including the United
States, to those unfortunate persons who are now entering upon
their second winter of homelessness subsequent to the termina-
tion of hostilities. I, for my part, have made it known that I
Israel's Experiments With Solar Energy
By YOHANAN ZURIEL
am prepared to ask the Congress of the United States, whose
cooperation must be enlisted under our Constitution, for special
legislation admitting to this country additional numbers of these
persons, over and above the immigration quotas fixed by our
laws. This Government, moreover, has been actively exploring,
.n conjunction with other Governments, the possibilities of settle-
ment in different countries outside Europe for those displaced
persons who are obliged to emigrate from that Continent. In
this connection it has been most heartening to us to note the
statements of various Arab leaders as to the willingness of their
countries to share in this humanitarian project by taking a cer-
tain number of these persons into their own lands.
DOUBTS AGGRESSION PLANS
I sincerely believe that it will prove possible to arrive at a
satisfactory settlement of the refugee problem along the lines
which I have mentioned above.
With regard to the possibility envisaged by Your Majesty
that force and violence may be used by Jews in aggressive
schemes against the neighboring Arab countries, I can assure
you that this Government stands opposed. to aggression of any
kind or to the employment of terrorism for political purposes.
I may add, moreover, that I am convinced that responsible Jew-
ish leaders do not contemplate a policy of aggression against the
Arab countries adjacent to Palestine.
I cannot agree wills Your Majesty that my statement of Oct.
is in any way inconsistent with the position taken in the state'
ment issued on my behalf on Aug. 16. In the latter statemen t
the hope was expressed that as a result of the proposed conver- -
sations between the British Government and the Jewish and
Arab representatives, a fair solution of the problem of Palestine
could be found and immediate steps could be taken to alleviate
the situation of the displaced Jews in Europe.
In this situation it seemed incumbent upon me to state as
frankly as possible the urgency of the matter and my views both
as to the direction in which a solution based on the reason and
good-will might be reached and the immediate steps which
should be taken. This I did in my statement of Oct. 4.
I am at a loss to understand why Your Majesty seems to
feel that this statement was in contradiction to previous promises
or statements made by this Government. It may be well to recall
here that in the past this Government, in outlining its attitude
on Palestine, has given assurances that it would not take any
action which might prove hostile to the Arab people, and also
that in its view there should be no decision with respect to
the basic situation in Palestine without prior consultation with
both Arabs and Jews.
I do not consider that my urging of the admittance of a
considerable number of displaced Jews into Palestine or my
statements with regard to the solution of the problem of Pales-
tine in any sense represent an action hostile to the Arab people.
My feelings with regard to the Arabs when I made these state-
ments were, and are at the present time, of the most friendly
character. I deplor , any kind of conflict between Arabs and Jews,
and am convinced that if both peoples approach the problems
before them in a spirit of conciliation and moderation these
problems can be solved to the lasting benefit of all concerned.
I - furthermore do not feel that my statements in any way
represent a failure on the part of the Government to live up to
its assurance that in its view there should be no decision with
respect to the basic. situation in Palestine without consultations
with both Arabs and Jews. During the current year there have
been a number of consultations with both Arabs and Jews.
Mindful of the great interest which your country, as well as
my own. has in the settlement of the various matters which I
have set forth above. I take this opportunity to express my
earnest hope that Your Majesty. who occupies a position of such
eminence in the Arab world, will use the great influence which
you possess to assist in the finding in the immediate future of a
just and lasting solution. I am anxious to do all that I can to aid
in the matter, and I can assure Your Majesty that the Govern-
ment and people of the United States are continuing to be
solicitous of the interest and welfare of the Arabs, upon whose
historic friendship they place great value.
I also take this occasion to convey to Your Majesty my
warm perstmal greetines and my best wishes for the continued
health and welfare of Your Majesty and your people.
Very sincerely yours,
HARRY S. TRUMAN
Out of Schechtman's historical analyses emerge some
very sad facts of the lack of sympathy and understanding
for the Jewish cause by men like Dean Rusk, General
George Marshall and many others. But there were some
like Sumner Welles who knew and understood and who
tried to be of some service.
When this writer met with Truman, in his office at the
White House, on Pennsylvania Avenue, on the occasion of
the 100th anniversary of the appearance of the first
English-Jewish weekly published in this country, the.
President led us to the vast globe of which he was so
proud. (It is now in the replica of his office in the Truman
Library in Independence, Mo.). Pointing to the Middle
East area he said to us: "The Jews didn't believe me.
I was their friend. I am your friend." We then assured
him of our appreciation.
Dr. Schechtman's "The United States and the Jewish
State Movement" covers vast areas. The data just offered
provides addenda that are vital to an understanding of the
Zionist case prior to the emergence of Israel.
Abba Hillel Silver, Emanuel Neumann, the late James
McDonald, many men in scores of American Jewish com-
munities, played major roles in the libertarian struggle. -
Due credit for valiant efforts goes to the deserving in Dr.
Schechtman's book.
11
among other things, upon the inten- • for one needs flat land and a cheap
sity of sunshine, the amount and supply of waste brines — the proj•
The abundance of sunshine in frequency of clouds, the ambient ect could be effective for a large
Israel and the paucity of local fuel temperature, the wind velocity and number of suitable regions.
resources have, in the past few the temperature of collection.
• T
:
years, inspired scientific and tech-
The National Physics Laboratory i Hebrew Corner
nological research, into the har- in Jerusalem, which developed the
nessing of solar energy.
heaters, is now engaged in evolv-
. Even before then, solar energy ing and applying other types of
had been exploited on a large scale solar energy units. A distinction is
in the production of potash from made between two applications —
Do used matches, the silver paper in
the waters of the Dead Sea. Some small scale power up to 10 kwh. which chocolate is - wrapped, and dry
30 square kilometers of evapora- and bigger units in the megawatt leaves have any value?
When we visited the Hobby Exhibi-
tion pans provided the equivalent class. The difference arises from tion, we discovered what wonderful
things can be made from these
of 5,000,000 tons of fuel annually. i the . very nature of solar energy, materials.
Some of the collections at the Ex-
the more recent development is which is of relatively low intensity
were ordinary, such as holders
the use of solar energy for domes- l and . also intermittent..The low in- hibition
for keys and napkins, while others, .
tic water-heating. Solar water heat : tensity means that the production such as the collection of tens of dolls '
megawatts of power involves from various countries in their native
ors were introduced about a decade '
costumes, w ere striking.
There are simple but
b eix
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ago. patterned. mainly, on those ' collector systems covering square
work like pictures
1 pieces
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used in Florida. Since then, the ; kilometers of ground. Further- m of
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more,
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design has been adapted to local '
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the models have been considerably so that either the problem of stor-
the
The most ou t standing
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improved by research and as a re- age has . to
16 - 7
. be satisfactorily solved the Exhibition was the Eiffel Tower
or auxiliary fuel must be used. A made
of matches. The skilful builder,
stilt of accumulated experience.
central power station must produce who erected the tower rising to a
of two meters over a period of
•
The most popular size is of 150- at a low cost because of the addi- fh.e!ght
ii, e years, is Uri Opat, aged six-
liter capacity and there are usually tional costs of distribution
teen, of Kibbutz Yehiam. His other rmp`rw
ritiTirr;)
two collector plates. each of 1.5-2
pieces of work from match es a re
Bridge and a Dutch Windmill.
square meters, nominal size. The I Although the solar-pond is limit- London
Orpri7
mn
arp.
Translation of Hebrew column, Pub-
efficiency of a solar collector is ecl in applicability to areas that lished by the Brit Ivrit Olamit, with
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32—Friday, April 15, 1966
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