The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-27
ABOUT PALESTINE
COLONIZATION OF that Country by Jews
Mr. campbsIIs Views

the Denver AolofAuoi NeNsf WINS ~
follows:
There Is an Interesting conference
about to be held in Munich, the capital
of Bavaria, in South Germany. 1t Is to
be a congress OF representative He
breWs, from all parts OF the world who
will assemble 10 discuss the question OK
Jewish colonization In Palestine. Not
the question OF beginning such colo
aizatlon, bul OF aeeelerating and en-
larulng an immigration that was begun
years ago. There are already many
thousands OF Jews In Palestine. They
comprise to-day more than one-half the
population OF Jerusalem. They are ma
terlally Increasing every year In num-
begs aud influence. They have schools.
hospitals and other institutions OF their
own In the historic city from whence
their ancestors were finally scattered
eighteen hundred years ago, and their
efforts to regain a permanent fooihold
in their distinctive country are attract
ing the attention OF the world
As q rule the immigration up to this
time has been largely sentimental II
includes many persons who are deVo-
tees OF their faith and who wish to lay
their mortal remains In the land or the
patrlarchs II likewise includes many
younger enthusiasts who go TO the ah-
cient fountain there 10 study the mys-
terles OF their national history and re-
liglon. There Is a special school at Je-
rusalem for such persons that mas AZ
ready attained prominence. There are
also quite number Of immigrants who
were driven out OF Russia by recent
prosecutions, and who feel that Pales-
tine is more of home to them than
any other country. There are likewise
quite a number who have, in common
with Christians, been exlled from Ar
menla by the cruelties at Turkish mis-
rule. In addition, there are Jewish ma
tiyes OF Germany, Austria, France, Eng
land and even OF the United States,
some OF whom have means and others
OF whom have been assisted, who go ex-
perlmentally to Palestine as pioneers to
ascertain II they can really do better
there In the way OF making a living
than ia the countries they leave behind.
In a word, there are all sorts
OF Jewish people going TO Palestine for
all sorts OF reasons, just as the people
OF the earth have always gone from me
part OF the world to another. Altogether
they make up a population of about 5O.-
900 colonIsts In that country, one-hatf
OF whom are In Jerusalem and the rest
scattered about in groups In the agri-
cultural districts.
The question that Is to come before
the representative men who are to con-
fer at Munich has to do with the feasi-
blllty and deslrability OF more extern
slve emigration to Palestine. There are
a vast number OF Jews I'm Russia and
also In the Orient who would like to go
to Palestine as an escape from the hard
conditions OF life that surround them In
localities, Many OF thesame
people have been helped at some time
and some Of them have been assisted
to emlgrate to other countries notably
20 North and South America. The
HIrsch and other benevolent funds have
been drawn on extensively for this
purpose. Now the question is whether
there should not be n more concAatra-
ted effort In the direction of the ances-
trail country. In other words. can colo
nizatlon In Palestine on still larger
scale be made desirable success? Can
a class OF assisted immigrants be Sc
cured who will do credit TO the race IN
the land of Abraham Isaac and Jacob?
This is one OF the important phrases
OF the colonization movement that WIN
be discussed at Munich. Every one must
admit that II is a highly important
phase To gather immigrants together
anywhere IS easy enough by the power
OF money. But there are Immigrants
and Immigrants, as we know to our cost
in this country, aud 1t is sign OF
thoughtfulness and consclentiousness
that those who viii have to do with this
matter al Munich are duly impressed
with proper sense OF responsibility In
regard to the class OF immigrants who
should be encouraged 10 seek home In
the land of their forefahers. If that
land is to begin life anGv under the
auspices OF the children OF its ancient
possessors It certainly should be mat
ter Of pride, as well as conscience to all
Semitic people that It's latter day occu
piers should not present marked con-
trast to the historic people OF Bible
days.
Naturally It is the oppressed Jews of
Russia who are mostly inclined TO seek
new homes for themselves and their
children In the old time fatherland Life
in Russia Is made burden to them and
II presents no better prospects for their
descendants. Life anywhere else seems
to be preferable. and Palestine Is not so
far away from Russia. Besides, TO the
east, and eastward, and not westward,
ever since the recession from Rome. has
been the tendency Of the Jewish people.
Nearly one-half OF their whole number
In the world, or say 100000. reside In
Russia alone and nearly 100000 more
reside In Morocco and other Mediter-
ranean regions. So numerous have
they been In Russia, from n period
away back in the centuries, that Il was
question at the time Of the great
schlsm between the Greek and Latin
churches whether Russia would not
adopt Judaism as her national religion.
Just what that would have meant for
the world no living mortal Is lntelli-
gent enough to even conjecture. And 80,
In like manner, we may say that the
far east In case Palestine should be nc
tually rehabilItated by the Jewish peo-
pie. 1t would be the wonder OF the
ages. II would be the fulHllment Of
prophecy. 1t might well convert the
orient 10 Judaism. for we must remem-
Der that the Syrian and Arabic peoples
are as much the children OF shem as the
Hebrews themselves.
The lndestructlbility of the Jewish
race Is the marvel Of history What
their numbers were In Palestine In the
days OF their power no one can now
even. approximately estimate. The
country ~ small and far from being
rich In It's soil Yet II sustained at one
time numerous and militant and dom
lnnnt people. That much Of ancient
Jewish repossesslon. aided by the
wealth and science that would be back
Of such movement as Ia foreshadowed
by the Munich conference. ls as yet
merely a matter Of speculation. In any