November Second, 1919
DECLARATION DAY has just been celebrated in this country, and it has been marked by an enthusiasm that rather exceeded general anticipations. It must be confessed that the delay in the settlement of the political future of Palestine, although more or less understandable to the inner circle of Zionist workers, has proved rather trying to the rank and file, and a certain restlessness and diffidence began to manifest itself. This feeling was accentuated by the intransigeant speech of Mr. Zangwill and the ill-advised interview with the Emir Feisal which appeared in the Jewish Chronicle. And a further source of disquiet was the retirement of Mr. Balfour from the office of Foreign Secretary, an act which made many people jump to the conclusion that the fulfillment of the Balfour Declaration would be jeopardized. The atmosphere was thus becoming somewhat heavy and cloudy, and something was wanted to illu- minate it and clarify it once
Happily, the necessary illu- mination and clarification has been brought about by the London Demonstration held to celebrate the second anniversary of the issue of the Declaration. The letter of Lord Cur- zon, the new Foreign Secretary, announcing that there was no change in the policy of the British Government regarding the establishment of a Jewish National Home in Palestine was received by the crowded audience with a thunder of applause which betokened an immense relief. And yet such a letter was hardly necessary, considering that the historic epistle of Mr. Balfour to Lord Rothschild explicitly conveyed, not the private or personal opinion of the writer, but the declared policy of the British Government. Still, the reassuring missive of Lord Curzon, brief though it was, was welcome because the new Foreign Secretary had hitherto not committed himself on the question of Zionism. It is, of course, a matter of genuine regret that the author of the memorable Declaration should not have continued in the office in which he would be able effectively and benevolently to assist in its practical interpretation. But as the main features of the Zionist proposals in regard to the Jewish development of Palestine had practically been agreed upon already, there is no ground for concern on this score.
The platform at last Sunday’s Demonstration presented some interesting contrasts with that at the Demonstration of two years ago. Lord Rothschild presided both then and now, but of the speakers at the first Demonstration only a few were present at this second anniversary. Had Sir Mark Sykes Fe alive, it is safe to assume that he would have attended. Lord Robert Cecil, whose innermost sympa-
thies with our cause have never wavered, sent a heartening letter. Mr. Herbert Samuel, who made a notable spsech two years ago, made one equally notable on the present occasion, and particular attention was paid to the passage in which he explained the source of the misunderstanding whence sprang the recent utterances of the Emir Feisal. It appears that the son of the King of the Hedjaz was led to believe that we demanded the immediate establishment of a Iewish State. and it was under the influence of this
HIS MESSAGE OF REASSURANCE
I am, Sir,Your obedient Servant,(Signed) CURZON OF KEDLESTON.N. Sokolow, Esq.
Foreign Office, S.W., 1.Saturday, Nov. 1, 1919.
Dear Sir:—I have pleasure in assuring you—if such assurance is required, which I can hardly believe to be the case—that there has been no change in the policy of the Government with regard to the establishment of a Jewish National Home in Palestine.
horse owner; but if Zionism should become popular among Jewish patrons of the turf, we may perhaps yet live to see the Jaffa Races and to hear of the Rishon-le-Zion Stakes.
The members of the Zionist Executive are seldom all together. When Professor Warburg and Dr. Hantke paid their recent visit to London for the purpose of deliberating with their colleagues upon various questions regarding the Organization and work in Palestine, Mr. Sokolow was still in Paris. Since then Dr. Weizmann has gone to Palestine for the purpose of reorganizing the Zionist Commission, and Mr. Sokolow came over specially to speak at last Sunday's Demonstration. On the other hand, Dr. Victor Jacobson, who has devoted himself during the last few months to organizing the various departments of the Zionist Central Office, has just left for the Continent, where (Continued on page 367)