The times., 1899-01-24
THE JEWS IN PALESTINE.
Consul Rnvndsl Reports Concerning
the Zionist Movement.


The Jews in Palestine is the topic OF
a decidedly interesting report furnished
the State Department by Consul G. Bic
Ravndal. at Beirut, which says:
In view Of the impetus given the Zionist
ment by the second Zionist congress. held at
Basel in September, and also by the Palestine
journey of Emperor Wilhelm H. the present status
Of jews IN Palestine becomes matter Of general
interest.
out OF a total population in Palestine OF some
10000 souls. about 5000 Jews. against
A,WO twenty years ago. In jerusalem there are
900 Jews half OF whom have immigrated from
Europe and america and called Aschkenazm
10 distinguish them from the oriental Israeiites,
the SePhardists.
Nine hundred and sixty families, numbering
about 5000 souls, inhabit the twenty-five Jewish
colonies in Palestine which have been founded
and subsidized by Europeans. ten by Baron I'd
mend de Rothschild, representing the Alliance
lsTaelite Universele; the rest by the Jewish Colo
nization Association and by the Odessa COMPANY.
The idea OF gathering in Palestine homeless
Jews scattered all the globe cham
pioned in the fortes by Moses Montefore, hut with
indifferent success. In the eighties, however, the
immigration OF Jews to Palestine assumed sig
nifcant proportions.
OF the twenty-five present colonies, the Jacob
Memorial il the largest, supporting more than
1000 souls. II boasts graded school with hve
teachers, synagogue, etc. and 600 acres Of land
under cultivation. which raised fruit
chiefly grapes. honey. and mulberry leaves, the
rearing OF siikworms being a leading industry
The First to Zion Is another quite important
colony owning 2,GaO acres of land. Some forty
two-storied stone dwelling houses greet the eve
Of the approaching stranger; also school house
with Hebrew library, synagogue. and hos
pital. One million five hundred thousand vines
and 5000 olive, almond. orange. and mulberry
trees belong to this colony. which also possesses
famous wine cellars.
The Hope Of Israeli mile beyond Yafa. in
the plains OF Sharon, is perhaps best known for It's
agricultural school, in which 100 or more pupils
, taught gardening Recently, high school for
Jewish girls was established lafa.
The Head Corner Stone amid the hills be-
yond Tibcrias, with snow-cspped HermOn IN the
background. is another quite prosperous Jewish
| colony in Palestine Being near the source Of the
Jordan. is plentiful and its situation, high
up above the level Of Lake Cennesareth nslWes
fair climatic conditions.
In the Door OF Hope dairy farming is
proiitaby followed and experiments made IN iea
planting. This colony is said to have I.OO0,00o
vines
Entirely irrespective OF whether or not the
Zionists will succeed in awakening in the Jewish
people a national spirit and forming a Judean
monarchy or republic. with its parliament in
Jerusalem and its representation in foreign cant
tails the present agitation makes for the develop
ment OF a country which is but shadow OF its
former self, and which will generously respond
10 modern influences. The Sultan seems quite DIS
posed to grant railway. harbor. and other tran
chises, and il is possible that the new jewish
Colonial Bank the organization OF which was de
cied upon in Basel. will be permitted. under GER
tain guarantees, TO play important part in the
industrial advancement and growth Of Palestine
| The movement is furthermore bringing out new
qualities in the Jews residing in Palestine. They
| are no longer content with studying the Taimud
and living charity, hut waking to the fact.
I a the Hebrew would put it. that to till the
I ground is worship OF God
1t should not be inferred from statements here
made that peace and prosperity have suddenly
! become the lot of the jews in Palestine. Only
few DAYS ago the Rev. William King Eddy. of
Sidon. returned from beyond the Jordan. and he
/ informs me that Jewish colony situated not Tar
| from Fl Mzerib. on the route from Da-
mascus to Mekka, was recently attacked hy pred
atury Bedouin tribes. The settlers were all driven
away, their gardens and crops DESTROYED Even
road built by the Jews TO connect their frontier
colony with older ones in Galilee. west of the
river. was at least partially obliterated. TsNes
are more oppressive than ever, officials are cor
rupt. and pTohibitive measures regarding immi-
grafton are still in force. although inadequate
| think. however, am justified in saving that
the prospects are brighter than ever for the Jews
I in Palestine and for Palestine itself. European
influence has obtained a foothold in the country.
and the tide of modern ideas cannot be long de-
| barred.
| Only four or FIVE weeks ago an English COM
pany announced its determination 10 build
/ broad gauge railway from the sea at Haifl
through the very heart Of Samaria and Galiiec 70
/ Damascus and on to Bagdad. and active opera
/ tions have already commenced.