Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-11-14
MOVEMENT FOR A new ZION
Leon zOlOtkoif Presents the Case to His
0uaha Brethren.
DLPloREs LOSS OF JEWISH NATIONALITY
Proposes TO Allow All who wish to
Remain, hut Asks that way he
Cleared for Those who
wish to Go.

The address of Leon zolotkoff Of Chicago,
delegate 20 the International Zionist con-
vention at Basel, Switzerland, delivered at
Creighton hall Monday evening was lis
tened to by large audience Of both sexes
Of Hebrews, resident of this city and
vicinity. DR.. Philip Sher acted as chair
man Of the meeting. and In a brief address
introduced the speaker as one of the fore
most Zionsts of this country, as we'll as
man well versed in the law. In his re-
marks DIR. Sher said:
Il is hardly to be expected that many Of
us in America would care to leave this
country. because the fiag is too dear to us
We can, however, deplore with tears and
anguish the atrocities perpetrated upon our
race in barbarous Russia, and plead for the
law of humanity in their behalf, which is
even a higher law than that of property.
But crying can do the homeless, prosecuted
money to assist the Zionists in securing a
home somewhere for these homeless and
distressed OF our race.
Pleads for suffering jews.
Dr. sher then introduced Mr.. zolotkon,
who said in part:
1 wish to talk to you right at the outset
ment that / can, that which is best for our
oppressed people in Russia. We cannot re-
fTan from feeling miserable over their
calamities and reject the gloom that per-
yades the civilized world over the horrible
butcheries OF the Jews in that Coda cursed
land. They are of our flesh and our bone
and we will have to go deep into our
pockets for their relief. Are these perse-
cutions to be the dawn of a new liberty
like unto Aurora rising from the ocean, but
in reality a people rising from a river OF
blood? 1t is a question that only Zionists
can answer. No matter what be the cause
must be slain, and l fear that In two
months from now even these massacres Will
be forgotten. Yet the time will come when
the killing of of Jews for pastime Will
cease. They tell us that the Zionists are
speaking in the language of yesterday, but
this is not the talk of wise men. Our short
slghtedness causes us to err In our Judg-
zionists say that there is a part Of the
Jewish race that does not want to be ex-
tinguished. but that it may live and be-
come useful The rights of every individ-
ual arc bounded by his neighbor. So 1t is
with nations. The Zionist seeks TO take
up the broken thread Of Jewish history
and to restore the Jewish nation IN its old
home in Palestine, We have waited 1900
years and can walt a little Longer be
We are a people without a home and
without a national credit. AS a nation we
could not borrow a dollar, whatever we
might borrow as an individual. Zionism
Is not q new thing. II is centuries old,
old as the Jewish people, but the seventh
Zionist convention, held at Basel Switzer-
1t was made UP truly Of a body of Jews
from all over the world.
Nationality of the Jews.
The Zionists put the question squarely
before you, is your nationality worth pre-
serving? Zionism has but recently Gre
ated the Jewish Colonial bank with 10000
people back OF 1t. 1t is for Israel, for a
Jewish national fund. We have also issued
a penny stamp to add to this fund for
the purpose OF buying land in Palestine
on which to establish the nucleus for our
new national life and furnish home for
Jewish people. We have accomplished
much in the past seven or eight years, and
could accomplish more with your help,
but you do not seem to care to give us
that help. Palestine can support 5000 coo
people. Those who desire to remain in
America, Germany, and France can do so,
but let those go who desire to perfect a
Jewish nationality and resume our his
tory after lapse ofic2000 years. The
Greeks, Roumanians z and Macedonians
have, established natinnalities within the
past century, and why cannot the Jew
with his frugality, pride, talent and en-
ergy? He can, and so he can ascend to the
highest round in the ladder of development
and take his place among the nations OF
the world.
Mr.. Zolotkoffs address was delivered
first in English, after which he spoke
briefly in the Jewish tongue, NJ. Levy and
Harry Zimman, both of Omaha, spoke
briefly, endorsing the utterances of tn,
principal speaker, after which the meeting
closed.