JEWS AND PALESTINE.

Taihape Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3339, 18 November 1919, Page 3

JEWS AND PALESTINE.

ZIONIST CELEBRATION.

BRITISH POLICY UNCHANGED.

LONDON, Nov. 3.

Baron Rothschild presided at a gathering of "Zionists in the London Opera House yesterday, for the celebration of the second anniversary of Mr Balfour’s declaration regarding the establishment of a Jewish national home in Palestine.

Baron-Rothschild read a message from L.or<'l Curzon (Foreign Minister) giving an assurance that the policy of the Government in connection with this scheme had not changed, and a letter from Lord Robert Cecil stating that the British Government's Zionist declaration was an essential element in the pacification of the world.

A ]ettelVWas also I'e.ud from Liqu-tellallt-(l1’o1o11e1 AmCl'Y (Under—Secrctary For the Colonies): Stating that the declaration was a remarkable .-wt of Wise andkfal'~secing'statosmallship. destined eventually to have resu‘tL: of incalculable moral and I‘nai‘.')rml value to the Near Eastern \\'m'ld and the British Commonwoa'itél. and adding that the task of the Jews now was to justify British statc-smanship by their oivn patient. and persistent offorts. ‘

A iettel‘ from Captgiin Ormsby Gore, politic-.r_l officer in charge of the Zionist Connnissioii in Palestine, stnterl that the situation in Palestine and Egypt was at present most difficult, but he was confident that the idealism, practical sense, and efficiency of the Jews wculd bring '»fietol'y. Baron Rothschild moved, and Mr Herbert. Samuel (formerly Home See--I'etar_\') .se<'.onded, :1 ‘vote of thanks to the (-inv'erlmlent mic] M 1: Baifou". and the British p(‘Opl€_ who were the first nation after 2000 years publicly to aokiiowledge Jewish rights and privileges as :1 free coimnunity. Mr Samuel emphasised that the nelay of the last two years was due, not so much to Palestine as Syrian questions. He ‘did not View the future relations of the Jews and Arabs in Palestine with anxiety, because Zionism did not n1e:111 injustice to the Arabs. ,

Allot.her resolution urged on the Peace Conference tlle'llecessily of tho SpoEdi.Ds‘t realisation of 111 m. Allies‘ promise by a fol‘mé.l i11tm'11ati011:1] Act.