New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-08-29
THE ZIONIST MOITNENT.

r, ra,urn of the Jews 10 Palestine is no
longer TO he regarded rs an empty dream
Dream il wa. through weary centuries OF per-
secutlon and outlawry Dream Il was reckoned
twenty-odd years ago. when Laurence Oliphant
suggested It's formulation into practical shape
For even at that latter date the number OF
Jews in Palestine was very small. and the NUN
Der of those elsewhere who were ready 10
move in that direction was infniteSimal. But
since Oliphant's suggestion was made. and in
deed largely because Of IT, thousands Of Jews
have settled in Palestine from all the lands of
earth. and have dotted that country all over
with prosperous agricultural colonies Leaders
Of the race elsewhere have become deeply in
terested in the movement. such names as those
Of Rothschild. Hirsch and Goldsmid being con-
spicuou>ly identified with H. Authoritative
statesmen AT most of the European capitals
lave declared in fayo- Of it, if for no other
reason than the solution of the JudenhetZe
which it might offer And so this months con
vention at Basic. led by such men as Drs
Herzl and Max Nordau. and participated in by
representative Jews of all countries. must be
regarded as something much more than vision
airy.
There are three powerful motives mpcllng
and these, or one of them, may be expected 10
appeal To wellnigh every member of the race
throughout the world. 70 vast proportion
of Jews restoration of the Kingdom of David
is a matter of religious faith, TO he prayed for
daily and implicitly expected. Many of them
think the fuliment of the prophecy should he
left TO Providence, but not few are more
militant in spirit and would offer themselves
% ,Io Twin will
considerations are n the present time more
potent Dr. IIcrzl is their foremost exponent
He has actually drafted a provisional scheme
of organization for the Jewish State. ana
thinks he has devised means Of overcoming all
differences of language and social customs ana
of making of all the tribes homogeneous ma
ton. He proposes TO acquire Palestine by pur-
chase. Turkey is in need of money. If the
Jews paid the Porte an annual tribute OF
100000 or so. it would, he thinks. readily
grant autonomy: and in time entire indepcnd-
ence could be acquired The new State would
he a menace 10 no other. and il would confer
a favor upon others by withdrawing from
them a disturbing element.
The commercial side of the case is most in
teresting Doubt has been expressed concern
ing the Willingness or ability of the Jews TO be-
they herd together in cities and devote them
selves to trade True; but that is because of
compulsion. They have for centuries been
forced. by written unwritten law. 10 live in
ghcttos TO this day they are IN much of Eu-
rope practically prohibited from owning and
tilng land. But it must be remembered that
they were in old times chiefly an agricultural
and pastoral people. and they now succeed
emnenly well in those pursuits wherever they
have the opportunity, as more than one eX-
ample in this country demonstrates There is
10 question that Palestine is capable of sup
porting Il numerous population and of afford
ing it great prosperity. The agricultural posi-
biliteS Of the country are immense. and its
commercial advantages inesimable one day
and soon. there will be Il railroad from the
Mediterranean To the Persian Gulf and its
western terminus will in all probability be in
Palestine. The proposed State will therefore
enjoy extended commercial interests ~ well
as agricultural. OF course. il may never be
formed But the Jewish people throughout the
world appear 10 be determined TO establish it,
and if il he established there will he little room
10 doubt It's success.