Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1902-10-11
STATUS OF THE HEBREWS.


STATUS OF THE HEBREWS.
The Hebrews have recently celebrat-
ed the commencement OF their new
year. and arc now observing the great
day OF expiatlon." II Is beautiful
thought that is expressed In the relig-
lous observance which requires a ma
ton to start out every new year with
q new record--a day of htonement
The significance Of the season should
invite the devout Hebrew TO a con-
temptation OF tho status of that people
at the present time. After two thous-
and years Of various experiences amorg
all the nations Of the earth the Jews
find themselves stlll in the most con-
Trajectory position. Their enanclers
IRE princes 20 whom kings pay homage
tielr scientists, llterateurs, orators,
and artists, hold places in the front
ranks all over the world; and yet the
people are a hiss and byword in many
countries, they are the object Of envy,
Hatred and persecution, even in places
where freedom has been established
under the @gls Of refined enllghten-
ment.
Then, the people are divided in their
views. Some Of them hold that the
only logical future of Judaism Is It's
assimilation with so-called Christianity.
they have ceased looking for a Mes
siah and restoration. except in a
spiritual" sense. They have prac-
tically surrendered the strongest ram
parts OF their religion. Others are
struggling hard against this surrender.
But above the various phases of
modern Judaism rises Zlonism, as tho
pillar Of fire and cloud over the an
Gent Tabernacle, indicating that the
progress Is still onward toward the
land Of promise, The rise and develop.
ment Of this most remarkable mov,-
ment is n subject for study and con-
temptation. Max Nordau in the
International Quarterly tells us
that this movement can be said TO date
back about twenty years. At that time
the Russian outrages upon the Jews
made a deep impression upon the peo-
pie all over the world, and n Russian
Jew wrote n pamphlet in which he set
forth that the Jews are not merely a
religious community, but a nation. But
the movement thus merely limited at,
took form In 1897, as the result OF a
book, Der Judenstaat," written by
DR.. Theodor Herzl of Vienna, In
August, 1897, the first Zionist congress
was held at Basic. Since then, yearly
congresses have been held. and at the
last no less than 100000 electors were
represented.
The aim Of this movement has been
repeatedly stated. 1t Is:
"d) The well regulated promotion Of
the settlement OF Palestine by Jewish
agriculturists, artisans and manufac-
turers.
"(2) The organization and knitting
together OF the whole Jewish commun-
lty by means of proper local and gen
eral Institutions. in accordance with
the law of the different countries.
"(O The strengthening Of the Jew.
!sh sef-respcCt and national conscious
ness
90 Preparatory steps for obtaining
the consent Of the governments. which
Is nee assary for the achievements Of
the aims OF ZlonIsm.'
What has been accomplished already
for the PURPOSE Of carrying out these
aims, is told by NJ. Nordau. This, In
brief, has been done: A Hebralc school
established In Jaffa; preparation made
for founding factories in the Holy
Land; 900 propaganda societies found
ed; central official organ ole Welt"
published in Vienna. and forty other
periodicals established, including the
| American Journal. 1.-THE Maccabaean."
negotiations opened with Turkey,
through 'The Great Committee Of Ac-
ton" for a charter "for the colonial
ton Of such land in Palestine as can be
disposed Of and which at present is ly-
ing waste" founding in London Of the
national Jewish bank, called the Jew
ish Colonial Trust" with an authorized
capital Of two million pounds and IA
paid up capital of one.fourth OF a mil
lion pounds; tho beginning Of a national
fund which Is 10 amount 10 20O. 900
pounds, and one-haf Of which Is to be
devoted TO the purchase OF lands In
Palestine.
Those are great results in few
years. NJ. Nordau thinks that there are
about two million Jews who favor as
similation with Gentiles; but he be-
lieVes that there are at least eight
million Jews who feel unhappy in the
countries in which they live, and TO
whom, therefore Zlonlsm appeals very
strongly. Lord Salisbury Is quoted 10
the effect that II forty per cent OF the
people become converted TO the move
ment, It can be carried through. There
Is, then nothing but encouragement In
the present situation, for those who arc
looking forward toward the redemption
Of Judah.
|
VERY ANCIENT LIBRARY
| A recent Philadelphia dispatch stated
that Prof. Hilprecht had just returned