Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-21
An Important Gathering at Munich
Ne1tliWsek.
EMINENT REPRESENTATIVES TO ATTEND
Leading Question y is a Jewish
State in Palestine.
SOME AMERICAN OPINIONS
Written for The Evening Star.

Written for The Evening Star.
Among the more important events now
on tapis is the Jewish congress, which viii
convene on Wednesday, the 18th instant. in
Munich. Germany. For some months past
a number of brochures and pamphlets have
been circulated in Germany, England,
France, Austria, the United States, Asia
and Africa. in which it is ardently urged
that the Jewish people re-establish Palcs-
tine as a Jewish state. the most FEAST
BILE panacea for relieving them of the
hatred, animosity and anti-semitic move
ments propagated some fifteen years since
by the Court Chaplain Stocker of Berlin,
subsequently espoused by Popodiestnatzeff,
the Russian minister of religion cults at
St. Petersburg, and followed by Mons.
Drummond of Paris, and now raging at
Vienna, where Lueger, the mayor of that
city, is the most vehement prosecutor in
that empire. Foremost among the litera-
teurs who have addressed themselves to
the Jewish people in behalf of the new
move are DIR. Theodor Hezzle. DR.. Ludwig
Ernst of Vienna and DIR. Max Nordau of
Paris. all of whom have formulated plans
for the approaching congress and the dis
cuSsiOn of the several important topics to
be brought before it. These literateurs have
labored for some time past in securing
concenSus of opinion regarding the anon
alous status of the Jews in Europe, elicit
ing replies not only from prominent Jews
in Europe. but those of eminent statesmen
who are of different persuasion. Among
leading gentlemen who have signified an
intention to participate and act as an excel
tive committee are Herr w. Bambus, DR..
Hirsch Hiddlesheimer Of Berlin, d. Bod"n-
hemer of Cologne and Oscar Strauss, late
minister to the Ottoman empire, of New
York, and others. The leading promoters
are Drs. HerZy, Ernst and Nordau
The program thus far announced COM
priSeS the following topics for discussion
and enactment:
!. The position of all Jews in the Coun-
tries wherein they reside.
.. Reports from the many colonies and
their movements.
g. The "Chaluka' charitable funds, and
how they are distributed.
4. The emigration question, and how 1t
affects the United States.
5. Subscription funds, agitation plans.
6. The Jewish question as it will be pre-
scented to the diplomatic congress before
the great powers.
I. The feasibility OF acquiring a title to
the province of Palestine'and a part of Sy-
ria for colonial purposes and political au-
tonomy, etc
1t is intimated that this congress may
quire from a week to ter days delibera-
ton. 1t is likewise stated that able states
men, other than Jews will advance argu-
ments and plans for solving the Jewish
question.
Baron Edmond de Rothschild's Offer.
From private correspondence through
confidential attache of the Paris home the
writer Is informed that Baron Edmond de
Rothschild has recently offered to the Sui
tan of Turkey the sum OF s50o0o,000 (Amer-
lean gold for the purchase OF the province
of Palestine, but on the condition that re-
gal prerogatives accompany the transfer to
him, and that the province shall still re-
main under a Guasi-suzerelgnty and pro-
lection of the Ottoman empire That this
offer has really been made is borne out by
many facts ard circumstances relating
thereto. 1t may rot be generally known
that for more than fifteen years Baron de
Rothschild has established some twenty
one colonies. equipping the emigrants with
houses, implements, schools. etc. He has
already expended over 81 100000.
These colonies are in successful opera
ton in the districts of Galilee and the
endowed each coonist. j. e., men. women
and children, with a monthly stipend of
twelve francs. until such time when the
colony in which they are domicled shall
become self-sustaining. The census recent
ly completed shows that upward of $1,000
Russian, Galicians and Austrian Jews have
been domiciled, and the colonies nearly all
report marked success in retaining the
lands titled and a lucrative res ult from the
products raised. A section of the Paris
worlds fair in 1900 has been set aside for a
Among the great promoters, other than de
Rothschilds, are the "Chovovei Zion' Socie-
ty of England (brethren of Zion), and the
Alliance ISraelite UniveI selle'' of Paris
This latter institution has for thirty years
past been the recipient Of donations be-
queathments and subsidies from the Israel
ties in all countries for the aid and main
tenance of the Jews in Jerusalem. 1t has
various funds for distribution throughout
Palestine. notably for hospitals. colonial
schools. agricultural colleges and many 9TH
er philanthropic institutions. These funds
are apportioned in Jerusalem between two
cults of Jews, namely, the Ashkenasim
Germany and the Sephardim Qncluding the
Spanish, French and Balkan provincial
JeWs). The British society has been an ex-
tensive donor to emigrants who are domt-
ciled colonists in Palestine Both socf-
cites are putting forth strenuous efforts to
encourage the Russian, Galician and Aus
tro-Hungarian Jews to settle in the prov-
ince OF Palestine as agriculturists and arti-
sans. The Russian empire has vet some
100000 of Jews. The government has
greatly oppressed them, forcing them into
pales and otherwise restricting them in ali
walks of life. Their existence there has
we'll night incapacitated them from main
tanning themselves; only small percentages
OF their people can enter the schools, COL
leges and universities, notwithstanding that
they pay the most exhorbitant taxes and
revenues besides being required to furnish
the utmost contingent of recruits for the
army and navy, with no opportunities to
the higher grades in army or naval service.
Their position is almost iEtolerable.
Thousands of families are periodically de-
spoiled, their houses burnt and robbed nv
the slaves. They get no relief from the
authorities. and recamations are out Of
the question in this Christian realm except
through bribery and corruption In MANY
instances it has been shown that the gov
errors and subordinate officers of the czar
have participated in these spoils Nor have
the influence of the Ginsburgs and Polia-
korns of st. Petersburg been able to aver.
the evil edicts of Papadiestnoseff
The Three Jewish Cults.
The three Jewish cults which are, now
existant may be described as follows: The
first may be designated. as the orthodox
faction Their ideas center yet in the old
regime of biblical and talmudic dopmas