Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-12-31


as calculated from schemes of a different
kind-lies the true hope of our project
nevertheless, we might inquire of our
critics what clear difference there is be-
tween the emigrat ton which they advocate
and the colonial ton which is our aim?
Does not all colonization pass insensibIy
INTO emlgrauon-and the cost of settlement
diminish in proportion as the new popu-
iatlon increases? calculation based on
the idea that the settlement of the mil
ionth colonist would cost exactly as much
as that of the first may be safely left to
the judgment of the public. Moreover as
Stunning the emigration they recommend is
not to towns, but to rural parts wherein
Hes the difference in cost between settling
emlgrants In diverse territories and in our
single territory? The fact is after the
first pioneer iabors are over, the pecu-
mary costs of both schemes is exactly the
same per head. The only difference would
be that we should have founded land in
which all the further immigrations of Jews
would be welcomed by their relatives, while
IN all other lands experience has shown
the government would eventually desire
to set limit to such influx
But, even assuming this G50 per head
were accurately calculated we have al
ready shown how mistaken is the notion
that 1t must necessarily be derived from
OUTSIDE sources Indeed, our published rules
specifically say: Intending emigrants to
the Jewish territory should be registered
and familiarized with the idea that they
must rely mainly on their own labor and
IT,. a
to the United States since the promulga-
ton of the Infamous May laws of 1881 to
winch your correspondents refer But we
have now to learn that Jewish philanthro-
ply has paid for them $50 600 600 as colo
nists or even one-sixth of that sum as emf
grants. Indeed, no immigrant is permitted
to enter the states except he pays his own
passage, possesses some money and can
show fair prospects of earning living.
Had the work of founding a Jewish land
of refuge been begun in 1881, we hould we
maintain, have had aliens bill In Eng
land; no looming specter of exclusion in the
: United States; we should in those twenty
four wasted years have had a thriving
Jewish territory ready for the reception
not only of our poor refugees, but of the
scarcely less helpless rich Russians who
have been leaving Russia these last weeks
at such a rate that seats In the railway
trains have had to be booked ten days
ahead. Let us take care that Russian cri-
sis of 1880 does not find us equally unpre-
pared, does not find a fresh set Of philan-
thropists repeating: Colonies not
founded in a day We know that too we'll,
alas! although in the twentieth century
progress need not follow ancient stand
ards, and an organized scheme with the
impetus of persecution and outrage, and
the stimulus of the desire for freedom diff
fers altogether from the individual efforts
of discoveries and adventures. We know
too, that our colony can be of little imme
date help, but is this a reason for per-
petuating the old painless policy, for never
mostato help the present victims. as your
correspondents suggest. while likewise
urging on to the utmost the emancipation
of those millions of Jews who will long
remain In Russia, let us also build up
new home for those who desire to leave the
country and place refuge against the evil
day that is almost certain to come again.
For is there any serious observer of his
tory who imagines that even with the gain
ing of the complete civil rights the Rus
sian Jews will have lived through their last
peril2
But the stream Of emigration will not
even wait for these rights, nor be re-
strained by them If they come. The bulk,no
doubt, will live and strive for freedom in
Russia. The myriads, however, who have
lived through the days and nights of hor-
ror; who have seen their daughters vio-
lated, their children dashed from high win
dows. their brothers burnt alive; who have
seen their eyes gouged with redhot irons
and tongues torn out with pincers, will not
soon relearn the lesson of trust and con-
tented living. The stream already In rapid
motion will not cease running. Why, in
stead of seeking the great cities and crowd
ed areas of the world should it's course
not be diverted to an unpeopled territory
which it may enrich and fertilize? If the
vision of happy British Jewish colony
has been dreamed by British statesmen,
why should it seem so formidable project
to your correspondents?
we are finally convinced that the exist
ence of model British colony with Jew
ish ma jority for the population will be the
best answer to anti-Semiticism everywhere
and the most effective help of the millions
who will still remain In Russia to work
out their salvation there for the benefit of
themselves and their fatherland
And not we alone believe this. For, so
far as ours being a solution of a limited
section OF despairing Jewry,' 1t possesses, to
quote the Jewish Chronicle, the browning
merit of commencing itself to the general
ity of our people. Were 1t otherwise, in
deed we should not have anticipated as
confidently as we do the sanction of the
British government. We know that that
sanction will not be given unless we can
show the vast number of Jews in all parts
of the world approve OF our scheme and
are ready to support it. From the assur-
ances given us and the documents received
from all quarters, we have no doubt of our
ability to establish this fact. Whatever
petitions and mass meetings are necessary
to bring our contention home, we can sup
ply In overlooking measure, indeed, that we
feel sure our critics will no longer refuse
US their support,
at Is just because colonization at its
best, is so slow that 1t ought not to be fur
Their impeded by the very men who. IL they
threw their strength on our side. could so
narvelously hasten at least the initial
stages. They would be consulting the honor
and happiness of their people better by
y