The times., 1901-06-24

acres. 1t is settled by Russian exiles.
AT the time of their arrival there 200
acres of their colony were swampy
marshes, and in consequence malaria and
| typhoid threatened the success of the
undertaking. Baron Edmund de Roths-
child, on learning of this state of affairs.
drained the swamps and planted $1,000
eucalyptus trees, so that at present the
health of the colonists is not endangered.
| Tantura itself contains a large glass
factory.
Zikron Yakub. on the sione of Mount
Carmel, contains 5CC0 acres. supporting
2.t"1 Roumdnian Jews. mainly engaged in
grape growing. This settlement is sur
rounded b. others at Shefaya Umn ct
| Tut and Umm el JemaiL Rosh Pinah,
| another of the more important colonies,
I has sixty houses. fine gardens, three
springs half million vines. $4,000 null
berry trees and a silk factory employing
sixty hands. Ye sud Hammalah near by,
( Is Polish settlement. 1t contains $50
acres, the occupation of its settlers being
I the growing of flowers for essential oils,
/ bee farming. and silk weaving. To the
southwest Just north Of Safed, on the
summit of the range of Upper Galilee, is
Ain Zeitun. at which place there are
100000 vines. Other colonies are MiShmar
/ ha Warden, Mechanayim, Metulla. Benz
Nehudah. and Sahem el Janlan Cn the
trans-JOrdan).
Everything in these settlements is up
/ to-datc. The best machinery is installed
and electricity plays prominent part IN
the mechanical life Of the colonies. The
great wine cellars AT tklSloH zion are 'tit
example Of this. An the grapes from the
neighborhood are taken to the storage
cellars. where they remain until modern
machinery converts them into luscious
burgundy, soft sauterncs, and delicious
sweet wines.
The colonies are governed by a board
elected annually at general meeting.
There are no courts and all grievances
are adjusted by the board. Decisions
are Invariably obeyed. for the board con-
tros the entire water supply and any re-
FaFn J. f- Faf mo mi a
brought to terms by having his need of
water stopped. \
Early this year a colonist was accused
OF q grave crime. and as the hoard did not
care to take the responsibility of punish
ment on its own shoulders. a meeting of
the colonists was called. 1t was decided
unanimously to eXpel the offender. his
farm was purchased by the members or
the settlement in which ne lived and he
was ignCminiously expelled.
The schools are essentially modern, !
bic, and French are taught. Hebrew is !
spoken but modern words, such as loco |
motive, electricity, etc. have peen lntro- !
duccd in Greek form. Another interesting |
feature of Zionistic life is its mounted |
militia. Like the Arabs. most of the col
onists ride and shoot well a number OF /
them have been formed into an irregular |
cavalry corps mounted on Arabian horses /
and armed with magazine rifles. They |
dress in white and make an excellent /
showing.
So much for the life Of the colonists /
themselves. The Zionists are now using
their utmost endeavors to obtain from the |
Sultan a charter guaranteed by the Pow
ers. which viii give them the rights OF (
colonization on large scale. The sultan I
has been particularly kind to the Jews IN (
his dominions, for they are racially de- (
seconded from the same parent stock as +
the Turks and Arabs. Emperor William I
has endorsed the project and President
Mckinley has considered the matter at a
special Cabinet meeting.