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The Southern Israelite
EXTRA EDITION
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Executive Offices: 181 Spring St., N. W.
Published In Atlanta Monthly by
THE SOUTHERN NEWSPAPERS ENTERPRISES, Inc.,
M. STEPHEN SCHIFFER, Managing Editor
Subscription Rates: 15 Cents Single Copy, 81.50 Per Year In Advance.
Entered as second class matter at the Postoffice at Atlanta, Ga.,
under the Act of March 3rd, 1879.
All communications for publication should reach this office not later than
1st and 15th of each month.
The Southern Israelite Invites correspondence and literary contributions, but
the Editor Is not to be considered as sharing the views expressed by the
writers except those enunciated In the Editorial columns.
•
The Wailing Wall Problem
The sad and unfortunate attack on the Jews by the Arabs at
the Wailing Wall on the day following Tisha b'Ab was not alto
gether a surprise. British authorities had known that Arabs were
preparing for an attack which was made possible by the entrance
of the Arab mob through a newly opened gate, the building of
which was objected to by the Jews. The occurrence was merely
the result of the lack of protection offered the Jewish citizens, for
the Jews had protested that the permission to the Moslems for
opening of the door is an infringement to the status quo and might
lead to continuous attacks on the* Jewish worshippers.
The situation between the Jews and Arabs is by far better
than it was several years ago and it is hopeful that in time all
such friction will disappear. Arab dominance nor the violence of
Jewish patriots will never settle the problem. It is clearly up to
Zionist representatives in London and Jerusalem to negotiate with
the English government to safely settle the matter.
We sincerely hope that the efforts of England to extricate
herself from the disgrace incurred by permitting these outrages
at the holiest place in the world for Jews, together with the inspir
ing establishment of a united front in Jewry of Zionists and non-
Zionist factions through the Jewish Agency, which recently met at
Zurich, Switzerland, will serve to satisfactorily relieve the tense
situation that is confronting the Jews in Palestines today.
A Real Triumph
One of the most impressive steps leading to the unity of Israel
succeeded last week at Zurich, Switzerland. There the outstanding
Jews of the world assembled for the meeting of the Jewish Council
Agency; there the Zionist and non-Zionist groups of the world
participated in the creation of the Joint Jewish Agency for Pales :
tine, the new body uniting Zionists and non-Zionists. The gather
ing was the most representative assembly of Jews in modern times
and possible in a longer period.
Although Judaism was given a definite place in the rebuilding
of the Holy Land, the constitution of the Agency very properly
guaranteed liberty of conscience. In planning Palestine’s develop
ment the leaders discussed a $15,000,000 Palestine Finance corpo
ration, approved a budget for the ensuing year of $3,750,000 for
work, $5,000,000 for buying land. At the conclusion of the meeting
Baron Edmond de Rothschild of France was elected honorary presi
dent of the Council, with Dr. Chaim Weizmann of London, main
spring of Zionism, as real president, Felix M. Warburg head of the
administrative committee, Louis Marshall chairman of the Agency.
We cannot help but feel that the truly inspiring enthusiasm
encouraged by the co-operation of this gathering will be justified.
It seems that Dr. Cyrus Adler has the continued success of the
Council when he said, “If entered into with good will the assembly
spell a great advantage for Palestine and promote unity in Israel.”
U. S. Instructs Ambassador Dawes
To Make Presentation On
Palestine Situation
Extraordinary Step 'taken to Express
IT. S. Hope for Restoration of Order
and Protection of Americans; Secre
tary of State Declares Received Re
port conflict Not Only Religious Rut
Racial as Well: Not 'Vet Officially
known Six Who provoked Trouble,
He Says.
Washington, D.C., August 26 (J. T.
A.) — Secretary of State Stimson at a
conference with the press today, stat
ed that he, on behalf of the Ameri
can Government this morning cabled
instructions to Embassador Dawes in
London requesting him to orally ex
press to the Rritish Government the
earnest hope of the American Gov
ernment that immediate and compre
hensive steps may he taken for the
restoration of oilier and the protec
tion of lives and property of Ameri
can citizens in Palestine. Secretary
Stimson explained that this was a
very extraordinary step, as it is un
usual to make such a request direct
to a foreign government, this being
usually addressed by the American
Consular representative to the local
authority and the action of communi
cating with the British Government
through Ambassador Dawes is in
tended to impress that Government
with the concern felt by the United
States over the situation in Palestine
especially the killing of 1? American
citizens.
Confirmation of the killing of the
12 American Jewish students, all citi
zens of the United States was receiv
ed from Consul Knabenshue today.
The names of these victims was not
indicated but a further report giving
these names is expected from the
American Consul in Jerusalem mom
entarily and Secretary Stimson stated
that these names will be made public
as soon as they are received by the
state department.
Secretary Stimson declared that
from reports received by the state
department the situation in Palestine
is very serious.
Referring to Talpioth, a suburb of
Jerusalem, where several American
families have been residing, Secre
tary Stimson said that better news
was reported regarding the situation
there. The population having evacu
ated Talpioth without casualties al-
hough afterwards it was looted by the
Moslems.
Secretary Stimson also announced
that the State Department had re
ceived satisfactory news this morn
ing as to the action of the British
Troups. They have arrived by Air
plane and train from Egypt and Con
sul Knabenshue telegraphed this was
expected to improve the situation in
Jerusalem.
Secretary Stimson further declared
that the American Consul had re
ported that he requested the Govern
ment authorities in Palestine to take
all necessary steps for the protection
of American lives and properties and
that the State Department telegraph
ed him to make further and more em
phatic requests. The Consul Knab
enshue reported to the State Depart
ment that an attack has been made
on Tel Aviv by Moslems from J a ff a
and that a British War vessel *•»«
expected to arrive today.
It was indicated by the State De
partment that reports received in Pa .
estine tended to show that the preser
conflict arising out of the Wailing
Wall controversy was not only re
ligious but racial as well and tha*
this kind of a religious and racia
clash always creates a serious situa
tion.
Secretary Stimson asked whether
the American Government intends ?<
send a Warship to Palestine in re
sponse to the requests of American
Jewish citizens there, replied that
Palestine is under the British Man
date and that consequently the pro
priety of such a step is not apparent
Asked whether a reply had been
sent to Congressman Celler’s protes*
the secretary stated that what he ha-,
already said covered the present at
titude of the State Department with
reference to the situation in Pales
tine and indicated that he did not
care to comment on Coller’s communi
cation. He was also asked whether
the American citizens who were kill
ed were responsible for the trouble t
which the Secretary replied that the
only report received is that they an
dead and he also indicated in re
sponse to a question that it was not
yet officially known which side wa-
responsible for provoking the troubl*
Congressman Celler sent the follow
ing telegram to Secretary Stimson:
“The press carries dispatches tha:
the general attitude of the State De
partment is that the British author
ities have taken adequate measures of
protection for Palestine Jews, and
that the Department is loathe to i
tervene since no American interest-
are involved. The Jewish Telegraphic
Agency reports at 3 P. M. today tha:
fighting has extended to the vicinity
of Hebron where 45 Jewish students
some of them American citizens
studying at the school or Yeshiva sup
ported by Americans, have been kill-
ed. Furthermore that the British
authorities have been unable to stop
the excesses because fighting is now
in progress in Beisen Near Heifa
and in Tel Aviv on the Sea Coast,
where 13 Jew's have been killed and
hundreds wounded. American in
terests are large in Tel Aviv and
that the State Department cannot
view with complacency these Ara
raids upon American interests. The
Cruiser Raleigh now in European
waters should be immediately dis
patched to the scene of disorder ano
strongest representations should be
made to the British Colonial Govern
ment of the necessity of prompt and
adequate measures being taken -
prevent further loss of life and prof
erty. American Jewry which n* 5
been pouring millions of dollars >
Palestine upon British assurance e
Jewish protection are deeply shoe'’
and demand action. The whole a
estine movement hangs in the balance-
inaction of the State Department n.->.
be unforgiveable. At least some
finite statement of policy mus-
forthcoming. Please let me hea:
you.”