New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-08-18
THE ZIONIST MOVEMENT.
WHAT HEBREW MEN OF AFFAIRS HERE
THINK OF THE PLAN.

The Congress OF Zonists being held In
Basic Switzerland. Is attracting considerable at
tentlon from Hebrews in this city where the object
OF the movement the resettling OF the Jews In
Palestine is regarded with decidedly mixed ieeI-
ings II is reported that about two million mem
hers OF that race are now ready to start for the
Holy Land from all the world. just as soon
as the land IS ready for them. Few OF these would
be emigrants are to be found in America however
They are well satisfied with their trea tment mere
but there hundreds Of thousands OF oppressed
Hebrews in certain countries OF Europe for whom
the plan presents many attractions But however
great the sentimental inducements may be, the
practical details present grave difficulties
a Tribune reporter obtained interviews with sew
eral wealthy Hebrew hnanciers in the wall street
district yesterday, and they unanimous In
declaring the whole idea a great mistake and en-
trcy impractcabe yet they declined to let their
names be used In quoting their sentiments. Ac-
cording 10 those shrewd men Of affairs. the whole
movement f. more or less OF fad. or fever. which
attacks their race regularly from time to time at
long intervals. The fact that all previous schemes
OF the sort have fallen through does not seem to
deter repeated revivals. This time the promoters
are raising large sums OF money by the selling OF
shares in a chartered company which they have
formed 10 carry out the colonization project, and
Il may happen. II the money should be lost or
wasted or toolishly invested that the Zionist en-
thusiasm will get resultant chill which will keep
IL quiet for years to come.
Some OF the principal reasons why the scheme
is foredoomed to failure In the mind OF those hnan
ciers with whom The Tribune reporter talked. are
follows:
The Holy Land Is now part Of the Turkish En-
pire. No Hebrew wants TO subject himself to the
Sultan's government. Therefore, the first requisite
will bee the purchase OF Palestine outright from that
grasping sovereign. Since they would not be strong
enough stand alone a nation, II IL proposed
to place the new government under the protection
~ %
the jealousy OF the other great Powers OF Europe
who would bee certain to suspect John Bull or Uncle
sam ~ promoting the whole enterprise for the ex-
press purpose Oi acquiring more territory After
all that had been settled would come the immense
difficulty and expense OF transplantng an inherent,
Is commercial race In sparsely settled lana ana
supporting IT while IT learned to support Itself by
Another stumbling block regarded by some as
Hhod Tnsan palestine the Holy sepuchre Cal
vary. the Mount Of Olives and many other places
earth would then be In the hands OF race whose
religion denies TO those sRPts any sI'n . op
usitiou seemed likely OF fullment protest would
be- raised which would echo around the whole
Then again. supposing that all these difficulties
had been surmounted. Who could cause me jews
themselves 10 agree upon any FORM OF soNerhhen.
for their rebuilt nation. The rabies "ol!!d van,
should rule the nation az o, old. American frehSm
and Swiss Hebrews would never consent 10 any
form of government but a republic the EnglsH,
Spanish. German Austrian and Russian Jews would
be likely TO pin their faith 10 monarchlcal nstltu-
ton and these differences OF OPINION Would ns
rigidy held and vehemently defended and would
be certain TO produce an irremcdiable confusion
among the Jews they would among the Cath
ocs or the Methodists or the Baptists or the Pres
byterians should the adhcrents OF those or any
other creed attempt TO flock together from all over
the world and found a nation upon platform OF
igous belief.
All these difficulties. however, have been dis
cussed before now by the Zionsts and they have
disposed OF them I'm advance to their own sAtisfac-
ton anyway Between $4,000 and $4,000 has been
raised In this country alone 10 further the move
ment. and Professor r. J. H. Gottheil and his WIFE
1,fa ,lft 1fn, In flnal
leaders in the movement. They are expected home
IN September