The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-17
The Incoming OF the Jews.

speaker at the Convention OF Hebrew
Congregations at Baltimore last week esti-
mated that as consequence OF the present
Russian policy the immigration OF Russian
Jews to this country during the next ten
years will be not less than 200, 900, and may
reach 800, 90.
II Russia persists in its determination to
drive ont the Jews. the number coming hither
is likely to be even larger. Baron H1RscH
announces his purpose to direct the immi-
grafton to the Argentine Republic more es-
pecially, but the financial situation there Is
not inviting for new settlers in numbers 80
greut. however hospitable the country may
be to Jewish immigrants. The expelled
Jews will have to 90 where they can take
care OF themselves, for enormous as the
HIRscH fund Is, it Is not large enough to
support so vast number after they have
been transported to new homes. When
the colonies are established. they will have
to work their own way, and their ability to
get along will depend on tho opportunities
presented for the employment Of the immi-
grants and their fitness to take advantage
OF them. Baron H1RscH contends that as
the Jews We're originally pastoral and an
agricultural people, 1t will not be difficult to
direct their energies to the filling OF the soil,
but in the New World they have shown little
or no tendency to agriculture. They take
moro naturally to trade. for which their race
has peculiar aptitude.
Great numbers OF jewish immigrants have
come to this country within the last five
years. but they have not gone West with
the Germans and Scandlnavians to find
farms A Jewish farming settlement has
been established in New Jersey as an expert.
ment. and it Is doing very we'll, we believe,
but 1t Is small. The vast mass follow tho
example OF the earlier immigrants Of their
race and reject manual and productive labor
for traffic in the products Of other people.
They are encountered in the agricultural re-
gions OF every part o, the Union. o'tentimes
being among the pioneers OF civilization, but
they arc pedd!ers and keepers OF country
stores. not farmers or farm laborers. II they
invest In land. it Is not for the purpose of
cultivating farms with their own hands,
like the Germans and the ScandinavIans,
but with tho expectation OF making money
out OF the rise In the value OF the property.
BY following this policy and exercising
their extraordinary aptitude for trade. the
older Jewish settlers have prospered to such
q degree that their success has stimulated
the immigration Of the race to this country.
Even II the Russian Jews had not been ex.
PEELED the jewish immigration from other
European countries would be great at this
period. 1t will come without the impulse Of
any artificial means for Its encouragement.
Even IL the Baltimore speakers estimate of
the numbers to como from Russia during the
next ten years Is correct, they will not COM
prise the total OF the new settlers by any
means. Naturally Jewish immigration tends
hither, the United States Offering extraor-
binary attractions FOR the race In lis social
and political freedom and unequalled oppor-
tunities for advancement.
Why should these newcomers depart from
the policy pursued 30 successfully by those
already here, and why should Baron
HIRscH's immigrants to tho Argentine Re-
public reject the paths to Prosperity followed
by the present jewish population Of tho
country! The profits of agriculture are
small and the work hard. As soon as tho
Jews can hunt up something else to do
which is more profitable and gives better
for the exercise Of their cspaci-
ties for trade. OF course they will be sure to
take hold OF 1t, as tho rest Of their race In
America have dono before them. As mere
tillers OF the soil they will have no advan-
taye over other people As traders they
have aptitude and astuteness which usual
ly bring them out ahead Of other races
Hence artificial pressure to induce them to
take to farming can be successfully applied
for short period only. The jewish colo
nists OF the future are likely to follow the
course OF those OF the past.
A sudden md vast increase OF Jewish i'm
migration to tho Argentine Republic, pro-
voked by the pecuEary assistance Of Baron
HIRsoH and not responsive to demon
strated demand for 50 great multitude OF
the race may result very dlsastrously for
the new settleg.', at least In the beginnl ng.
Hitherto the Jews have prospered In their
because they have scattered
themselves far and wide with keen percep-
ton OF tho business chauces oilere by diff
ferent countries and regions. Sending them
oyer the ocean in mass and a. o philan-