Speech #790217324

We can recall our successful attempt to rescue the Greeks at Smyrna with our own warships. and our efforts in behalf of the stricken Armenians. when their annihilation at the hands of the Turks was a possibility at that time. Mr. President. not only have we in the past expressed our sympathy by affirmative and positive action. but on numerous occasions we have taken a firm position on the question which has been discussed here this afternoon. namely. the immigration of 100.000 Jews to Palestine. This matter was brought to the attention of the American people at the time when it was covered by the Balfour Declaration. Although we have always felt that historically and morally and legally Palestine belongs to the Jews and that by right it should be made theirhomeland. the legal question which now confronts us stems from the Balfour Declaration. through which the British Nation informed the world that they believed that a commonwealth should be set up in Palestine for the Jewish people.