The sun., 1897-09-27
THE FAILURE OF ZIONISM.
ABANDONMENT OF THE LARGE
IDEAS ONCE ASSOCJATED WITH II.

Some Authentic Information ConcerninE the
Zionist Congress In switzsrlan nd--HothiBR
Whatever said There About the OrEnuira-
tion OF ''Jewish state" In Palestine.
The ostensible purpose OF the Zionist congress
recently held at Basle. switzerland was to mako
provision for the founding OF a "Jowish State"
in Palestine. That purpose was rclinquished by
the congress, to tho disappointment OF Its pro-
motcrs, ON account OF the nsurmountable obsta.
cles In the way its execution. These obstacles
were brought to notice during tho four days In
which tho congress was in session; and when
their character had been fully recognized by tho
| delegates they reluctantly abandoned tho belief
which many OF them had entertained that Pales'
tine would again belong to tho jewish people,
This statement is founded upon the authentic
report of the proceedings OF the congress that
has been prepared and published by tho London
JetciSh Chronicle.
In the profession that was finally adopted by
the congress there is no mention Of n jewish
state. or OF tho purchase OF Palestine, or Of the
wonderful designs which have beon so Slowingly
described by the new Moses" DR.. Theodor
1iorzl of Vienna. The moderation Of tho pro-
fcssion that mot the approval OF the congress
was in marked contrast TO tho previous an
nounccmcnts OF the Zionist leader. 1t was to
the following terms that the object of tho con-
gress was finally reduced:
The aim OF zlonsm is to create for the Jewish peo-
pie publicly. legally assured homo in Palestine.
This. in truth is nothing moro than tho many
thousands Of Jews now settled in Palestine al
ready possess. 1t Is not, In any respect, an nd
vance upon existing conditions and offers no
additional security to the Jewish colonies that
have been established in Palestine under the
protection of the Turks. The terms above quoted
were described as compromise; but in truth
they are apart from tho original object of
Xionism. which was tho creation of jewish
State. under satisfactory guarantees
In order to attain the end thus sought for BY
the congress, certain measures were drawn UP
and accepted. 1t was resolved, % to promote
the settlement in Palestine OF Jewish farmers,
to aid in the Capitalization OF the Jewish peo.
pie. under lawful institutions: t3) to strengthen
Jewish sentiment and conscience; ~ to obtain
of tho specified ends.
Thus again, in these matters also, there was q
marked departure from the extensive and sub
stantive programme OF action for the congress
1hat ft had been drawn up by Herzl and Nordau.
IT Is known that already there are efforts, some
OF them successful. to induce Jewish colonists
TO settle In Palestine. and to accomplish the
other objects indicated in the foregoing proposi-
TONS The Rothschilds, the late Baron Hrsch,
and other wealthy Jews have furnished means
to promote the Jewish colonization OF Pale stine.
No won er that the Basic congress was a dis
appointment TO those Isra lites who have looked
and great jewish State.
For the raising Of the funds needed for the e1.
ecution OF the diminished programme II was
proposed to form central financial bureau.
which which should carry on negotiations with the
forward. One OF them provided for a loan Of
s2ooo9,ooO; sSe another for ths formation OF s9ci
grants % Of s"a a1e pHopoaoned pHSpa o
the amount contrihuted; and the other
for, for collective fund to which, which, every
annual subscription. There was also
plan for great Jewish bank. and there were
delivery OF opinions upon this subject the Jew. wv
ish genius for finance WAS made manifest. The
conclusion that was finally reached in regard 10
the question OF raising funds seemed to contain
measure OF promise for the treasury; reso-,
Zionist who wishes 10 possess ' the right Of
electinE delegates to the next congress (which
n,,. Is to meet next year in Jerusal nj shall
purposes a, leas, one shcke," or about IS Scents cents
m ass M ssC odd he eo for
other large propositions. were all laid aside In
favor Of the modes; rssolgtion for tho annual
make an estimate OF the amount that would
thus be obtained for the Zionist fund; but, II the
head OF every Jewish family in the world were
thus procured would fail below $4,000.
of Zonsm. nor in regard to its financial pro,
grammc. were the high hopes that had been
raised by DR.. licrzl realized at the Basic con.
grcss.
The attendance upon the congress was smaller
ta' than had been expected, yet the names OF l76
delegates and members were registered upon
the books and they had come from almost every
european country. II was venerable rabbi
from RoumanR who opened the congress, and
u was In nm cNultant spirit that he proclaimed
his belief that mankind would now witness the
beginning ot the third return OF the Jews to
Palestine, The full report OF tho speeches which
appears in the pamphlet issued hv the London
JtrtSh Chronicle is marked by many passages
OF rloQucncc at once plaintivc and hopeful II
cannot be said that all WAS pleasant or that
things were satisfactory for the Xionists at
BAsle; but the congress ended in peace. under
the influence OF tho ancient prayer OF Israel,
which Is ever repeated through the ages: Next
year in Jerusalcm!"