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N. Y. Importer Tells of His Help In Buying of Palestine War Materials

MT. VERNON, N. Y., Jan. 10 (AP)—Leonard Weisman, 32-year-old importer and exporter, said today he had helped a firm known as Foundry Associates, Inc., to obtain arms and military equipment for Jews in Palestine.

Later the Jewish Agency said in a statement in New York that it had “legally procured” a consignment of explosives found Thursday in Asbury Park, N. J., and that the explosives were awaiting “legitimate shipment” when discovered.

In an interview at his home here after talking with FBI agents, Weisman said “I consider it an honor, first as an American, and second as a Jew to legally procure the means of self defense of the Jewish state against the Arab marauders armed by the British.”

Weisman’s connection with the purchase of arms for Palestine came to light after three trucks containing 67 tons of war-developed explosive bricks purchased from the War Assets Administration and obtained at the Seneca Army Ordnance Depot at Romulus, N. Y., were seized last night in Saugerties, N. Y. Waybills showed the explosives were being shipped by Foundry Associates, Inc.

Foundry Associates have desk space in offices of the three companies which Weisman heads, Pratt Steamship Line, Inc., Materials Redistribution Corporation and Paragon Design and Development Corporation.

Declaring that he had advised Foundry Associates on how to procure the equipment, had given them office space and the use of his office staff, Weisman said it all started a month and one-half ago when “A man came to me from Palestine.”

“He was a Jew and requested my help in locating various materials to defend the Jews of Palestine in the event the British withdrew suddenly leaving large amounts of armaments in the hands of the Arabs,” he said.

“I told him that I did not want any of these goods to be shipped to Irgun or the Stern Gang, as I do not approve of terrorist activities, but I said I would be happy to get such goods for Hagana or the Jewish Agency.”

Weisman said he demanded proof “that these materials were for Hagana or the Jewish Agency.”

The Jewish Agency statement continued-

“The Jewish Agency for Palestine has the responsibilities of a state about to be born. It must protect the lives and homes of the 700,000 men, women and children of Palestine.

“The U. N. decision (to partition the Holy Land) made no provisions for an international force, but did provide for a Jewish militia to defend the Jewish state and to maintain public security. It therefore devolved upon the responsible defense forces of the Jewish community of Palestine to rush preparations in a race against time in view of the threatened Arab aggression in defiance of the U. N. decision and the announced early withdrawal of British troops.