New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-09-23
NEV P1LESIINE SCHEME.


been strong stimulus to the Imagination
of Europe, and while in semi-barbarous times
the emotion caused by contemplation of the
Holy Land naturally took forms in which
lighting counted for much, the advent OF more
peaceful days has not weakened the attrac-
tons of The historic territory but has sug-
gcstcd less violent ideas to those who ycaIn
to bc concerned in some restoration or lullll-
mcnt of prophecy. A few years ago the favor
ito scheme was one to rcunitc the Jews In Palcs-
tine and TO give them the means OF rcsuning
their place among the nations. This PROJECT
met with good deal Of approval in certain
quarters, and the entire absence OF practical
considerations in it did not interfere at all
with the zeal and enthusiasm of its supporters
Some prominent Jews, notably Sir Moses
Montefiore, gave it partial Endorsement, and
it was The theme of much discussion in Jour
nails and magazines. 1t has not as yet made
much Roadway, though it is not abandoned.
Lesser plans for the establishment of Jewish
colonies being apparently more practicable, have
received more substantial support The gen.
cral opinion seems to have been that the only
rational way TO test the proposition would oe
TO begin on a small scale.
While this undertaking lies dormant, how
ever an imaginative Canadian member OF Par
lament named Henry Wentworth Monk has
conceived a destiny for Palestine which for
magnitude and boldncss of scope far suIpaSscs
all prior fights Of fancy. The idea of this
ingenious gentleman is TO make OF Palestine
1.-The capital of the world or as seems moro
probable from his further explanations, the
capital of the English speaking peoples. start
ing with the argument that Jerusalem is nearly
at the centre Of the habitable globe, Mr.. Monk
| proceeds TO contend that therefore land appar-
emily for no other or stronger rcason)
il is specially and admirably adapted TO the
uses and functions of a capital. He does not
seem to have noted the fact that capitals have
seldom been chosen because Of their central
position, nor does he cOndesccnd 10 demonstrate
how or why the geographical position OF Jel1ls-
allen can lie expected to move the nations so
powerfully that they Will consent to abolish
war and enter into common federation. In
fact he is not very clear about this federation,
for whereas he talks sometimes Of it as unver-
sal at others he intimates that only English
| slcaking peoples are to he admitted to it.
1t is queer project, contemplating as 1t docs
| the amalgamation of the United States with the
British Empire, not 10 mention minor difficulties
1t is so queer project that if the proposition
had been put forth markedly the natural DISPOSE
ton would have been to dismiss Mr.. Monk as
"crank Of a rather pronounced sort. But
the oddes feature Of the ALA is that il prCScn
itself with perfect solcmnity as business enter
prise, under the auspices Of The New British
Empire Company" with capital stock Of
| S1O.OOOOOO, of which $1,5OO,OOO Is said to
have been subscribed. Subscribed, not paid up,
however. and the fact that such an amount has
been subscribed is probably explained by the
statement that none of the capital stock will
he called in until the money shall he wanted TO
pay for Palestine, after federation is assured.
Perhaps this condition accounts also for the fact
that Sir John Macdonald, the Canadian Premier,
and Sir William Dawson, the eminent gcolOgist
Of McGill College, arc each down for $4,000
IN the books Of the New British Empire Com
plny The pro cctor is about to take his hcme
| TO England. lie counts on securing as patrons
Queen Victoria and President Cleveland. Ger
tanly no one can say that il viii be impossible
| TO secure Palestine for a universal capital,
when the nations of the world are prepared to
| fcderatc, and when L" the war-dIums throb no
longer, and the battle-flags arc furlcd." But
if Mr. Monk expects to see that time, he counts
upon longevity beside which that Of Mcthusc-
lah would appear insignificant