New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-26
RUSSIA'S AID TO JEWS.
Von PlehUe's Desire to Foster Emf
grafton to Nee Colony.

"The Jewish Daily News" of this city. has
received the following dispatch from Jacob de
Haas, secretary of the American Federation of
zionists, who is attending the Zionist Congress
now IN session at Basic:
During a discussion regarding DR. Herbs
statement that the Russian Government would
hereafter tighten the burden of the Jews and
favor Zionism, and would allow ii to be propa
gated in Russia. Professor Richard GOttheil,
president of the American Federat'o on of zion
lists questioned DR.. Herzl in regard to his au-
thorty for making such a statement, and asked
for some documentary proof of the accuracy of
his information. The Interpolation of Professor
Gottheil seconded to-day by Cyrus SulZ-
berger, treasurer Of the United Hebrew Chart
ties of New-York City who insisted on the i'm
portance of the interviews which DR.. HerZl had
recently at St. Petersburg with number Of
prominent Russian officials and asked whether
the assurances which he had received were YER
bal or written. DR.. HerZl. III reply, pTese lted
the following document, written IN French, to
the Zionist Congress:
You have expressed the desire to retain proof
or your interview with me. l agree to this Will
lngly in order to avoid all which might arouse
exaggerated hopes or doubts and anxiety. I
nave had the occasion to make known to YOU
the point of view from which the Russian Gov
eminent at the present moment regards Zionism
This point of view could very easily inspire IL
tolerance for measures dictated by its safe
guarding of national interests
so long as Zionism consisted in the desire to
create an independent state in Palestine and
promised to organize the emigration in Russia
or certain number Of its Jewish subjects the
russian government could very well be favor
able to 1t. But from the moment that this urin-
cipa4 object Of Zionism is abandoned IN order
10 be replaced by a simple propaganda of the
national concentration Of the Jews in Russia it
is natural that the government cannot in any
case tolerate this departure of Zionism
1t would not have any other result than to
create groups of individuals perfectly strangers
10 and even hostile to the patriotic sentiments
which constitute the strength of each state
rms IS why faith could not be placed in
Zionism but on the condition that it return to
lis OLD programme of action 1t could in that
case count upon moral and material support for
certain of its practical measures which would
serve to diminish the Jewish population in Rus
STA. This support might consist in protecting
the manufactures of the ZiOnists to the Ottoman
government, and in facilitating the work of the
emigrat ton societies, and even in assisting these
societies, evidently outside the resources of the
state. by means Of contributions levied on the
Jews.
Il think It necessary to add that the Rus
sian Government is obliged to conform its man
ner of acting toward the Jewish question to the
interests OF the state but 1t has, nevertheless
never deviated from its great moral principles
and the interests OF humanity. Quite recently
besides, IL has enlarged the rights of residence
in the confines Of the localities set apart for the
Jewish population. and nothing prevents the
hope that the development of these meas ures
viii serve to ameliorate the conditions of ex-
istence of the Russian Jews, especially If emf
Etc ''-''' Won PLEHvE. '''''
Minister of the Interior
"St. Petersburg, July 80 (Aug. II new style)."
Mr.. Sulzberger prefaced his remarks by refer
ring to President ROosevelt's splendid action in
voicing the respectful demands of the Jewish
people of the United States"
Professor Max Nordau yesterday delivered a
magnificent address and received a great ova-
ton He advocated the acceptance OF the offer
Of the British Government TO provide land for
the establishment Of Jewish colony in East
Africa, and IL is believed the executive commit
tee will accept the offer