The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-02
HERzL DEFENDS zIoNISM.
DOES NOT DESIRE TO EsTABLIsH AN
INTERNATIONAL GROUP.

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He says tho Object OF the Basic CeuErcps IL to
start I~ntsrnaueAAi Discpss,epn or tue Jew
ish Q~peStipn-lt u 70 Meet an AuR. 20
Gladstone In Favor or the general Plan.
Following Max Nordau's declaration OF the
principles of the Hionists, DR., Theodore Herr,
who Ia tho originator Of tho Zionist movement,
has written q lottor 10 the Jetcish ChroRicte OF
London, In response to an inquiry GO to what he
purposes doing with the forthcomins BasIs
congress. In 1t he says;
what will DO the practical RESULT Can I
toll this nowl 1t would be ridiculous were to
put forth only coniectures in q newspaper. One
thing l do believe: people will seriously begin
to discuss the solution Of tho Jewish question
in Europe, to DO ~propounded by tho Zionist
congress. A stimulus must DO given for this
public and general discussion. hopo that the
Basic congress- will in n worthy manner supply
this stimulus. Several persons imagine that
the outcome Of the congress will be the founda.
ton CT an international fraternal bond, and
they fear that they may DO accused Of want OF
patriotism. / was the FIRST TO raise my voice
against such q proposal. What I desire is the
very opposite Of q union or society which has
anything secret about IL. 1 want publicity
full. pure, and thorough publicity. The OBJ
jeot Of the congress 10 not to create an interna.
tional group. but to bring about international
ulbCusSlOnb, WuiCu. III my NloW, bOOhcT or
later. In some form or the other. must lead TO
tho solution of the Jewish question"
Tho Jews Of England are very much inter.
ested in Zionism, and, although the chief
rabbi and the leading laymen have publicly
denounced 1t, the former pronouncing tho
proposition to hold an international congress
Of Jews IAN egregious blunder" and the idea
Of establishing o Jewish State In Palestine
absolutely mischievouf," many defenders
of Herzl's scheme have rushed into print, and ve-
hemently repealed the attacks upon it. In Ger.
many, TOO. Herzl has not failed Of support, and
the National jewish Association has replied
thus to the declaration of the German rabbis
EFT is not true that the Zionist movement is
opposed TO the Messianic prophecies of Juda.
teachings of Judaism. but is only concerned in
remedying tho abnormal position of the Jewish
rabbis that the zionistio movement Yves con.
trary to all the laws concerning love Of ones
Fatherland. and that tho adherents, Of that
l@ertion.. That the activity displayed In %coloniz.
be identided with our movement we also agree.
But the support we are prepared to give to these
colonies cannot 2o s, be accounted eco bnsn S z wrong m act oG on
least of.an to the German rabbis, to issue a
warning against the Basic congress-. The con.
declaration that the Jewish people has, as YET.
not given M Its national existence, but is re-
solved to work as q nation hand In hand with
the other nations for the progress Of human
culture"
The official programme Of the congress has
been issued. The congress is to last. three
days, beginning on Aug. 20. DR.. Max Eordau
will read o paper OF. THE General Position OF
the Jews" and DR.. N. Birnbaum and DR.. d.
Farbstein will speak on the Foundation Of the
Zionist Programme" Other speakers will be
pr; J. Bodenheimer Of Cologne DR.. N; 7;
schnirer of Vienna. and DR.. NJ. Ehrenpreis Of
Diakover.. The congress was to have met In
Munich. but owing to the opposition Of the
jewish community Of Munich, the meeting
place was changed to Basic.
MI. Gladstone is the first prominent Chris
tian to express publicly his opinion of the Zion.
ist movement. These questions were pro.
pounded to him by the leaders Of the move.
ment:
What is your opinion of Judaismi Would
the European powers sanction any arrange.
ment between the Sultan of Turkey and the
Jewish colonyf Would the Christian world
permit the Jews to return to JeruBalemf'
In reply he sent the following:
DEAR SIR: Ny inclination would be to view
with favor any reassembling of Jews in Pales.
tine under Ottoman suzerainty. But l assume
there would be absolute religious liberty and
equality. I have not such an acquaintance
with tho whole subject as to entttle my opin.
w. E GLADSTONE"