The National tribune., 1891-03-12
TIE NATIONAL TRIBUNE: WASHINGTON c. THURSDAY -
PALESTINE FOR THE RUSSIAN JEWS.

PALESTINE FOR THE RUSSIAN JEWS.
A new and very attractive scheme has
been sprung upon the world as a result of
the conference held in Chicago Of Jewish
and Christian representatives, TO determine
what steps could be taken TO alleviate the
condition Of the Jews whom Russia is driv-
ing ont of her territories. 1t was agreed
rantable intermeddling in Russia's domestic
affairs, and also that there is no place for
the eXpatriated Jews in the already over
crowded countries Of Western Europe.
Therefore, ii was decided that the best thing
TO do was TO memorable The Great Powers
Of Europe 10 give back Palestine TO the
Jews, and allow them TO make that their
home. 1t was pointed out that the Powers
had done the same with other nationslities
in Turkey. They have given Bulgaria to
the Bulgarians, Servia TO the Seryians, Mon
tencgrO to the Montenegrins, Rumania 10
the Moldavians and Wallachians, and Greece
TO the Greeks II would be IN act of sacred
Justice 10 give back 10 the Jews the land
which had been bestowed upon them by
God, and from which they were expelled IL
centuries ago by brute force. These facts
were put in the form of memorial 10 Presi-
dent Harrison, and which also asked that lie
direct the Secretary Of State TO commune
cate with the Governments Of Russia, Great
Britain, Germany, Austria, Turkey, Italy,
Spain, France, Belgium, Holland, Denmark,
Sweden, Portugal, Greece, and the Danubian
countries, with reference to holding an in
iernational conference on the subject. This
was signed by Chief Justice Fuller, Speaker
Reed, n number Of Senators and Congress
men, and large number of leading men Of
Chicago, New York, Boston, Philadelphia
and Baltimore. The memorial was pre-
sented to President Harrison last week, and
he promised 20 give the matter immediate
and serious consideration.
II looks as if the scheme was IN entirely
feasible one. The tendency of the world for
a century or more has been in the direction
Of rectifying race lines and consolidating
peoples Of the same lineage under one Gov
eminent This has been the most powerful
influence in European politics since the
overthrow Of Napoleon, and nothing con-
tributed more 20 that conqueror's downfall
than his contempt for race lines. A large
portion Of the Germans have at last been
gotten under one flag, as have also the Ital-
ians. Undoubtedly the next great conyul-
sion Ia Europe will consolidate all the Latin
peoples into one nation. In their rep .ated
settlements Of the affairs of Turkey, the
Great Powers have carefully regarded race
lines and attempted TO put people Of the
same blood under their own Governments.
There is reason for believing that Pales-
tire would give comfortable homes for all
the Jews who could be gathered there II
Is one Of the loycliest countries on which
the sun shines. The climate is very mild
aud steady, and though snow sometimes
falls in Jerusalem TO the depth Of foot, the
Winters are never cold enough TO freeze The
ground. The valleys arc very fertile, and
80 were formerly the hilisides, which were
terraced; but the constant wars and perse-
cutions drove out the people, aud the ter
races, with other improvements fell into
ruin. 1t has an area Of 10000 square miles
about one-third that OF Indiana-and a
population Of 100000. 1t has supported in
comfort population Of more than 100000,
or nearly half as many as the estimated
number Of Jews in the world to-day This
would not make the population any denser
than it is to-day in Belgium and Switzcr-
land Belgium has ii 500 square miles and
! 100000 people, while Switzerland has
l5.90S square miles and 100000 people.
Undoubtedly, If the Great Powers should
give active countenance TO the scheme of
making Palestine an independent Jewish
State, Jewish capitalists would at once give
Turkey financial consolation for parting
with the sovereignty of the country. Turk
ish finances are in fearful condition, and
a little ready money will 20 long ways
toward inducing the Porte TO consent to
anything at all reasonable. 1t would make
a grand home for the Jews who are being
expelled from Russia, and the civilized
world would rejoice at seeing the Chosen
People gathered on the soil they have con-
sidered their birthright for 1000 years.
/
SINGULAR how reticent the soldier hating
papers are over the fact that the appropria-
lion for the pension deficiency is more than
s500O000 less than at first estimated. Had
il been more how they would have shrieked,
bat they have no comments to make on it,
being so much less. The irst estimate was
for $3I, 900 600, but the revised estimate cut