Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-07-27
TOday's Telegraphic News
Zionist Congress.

Zionist Congress.
Basic, Switzerland, July 27.-The
prediction made yesterday that the ses-
sio IS of the Zionist Congress would be
attended by riotous outbreaks has been
fulfilled by the events of today when the
delegates began 10 assemble. The hall
in which the congress will meet was
opened at eight o'clock, and fight i'm
mediately was precipitated by the dele
gates who struggled to secure the best
seats. A number of desperate encoun-
tiers between delegates followed, and
sticks and umbrellas were freely used 5y
angry men. In the melee chairs were
broken and the furniture demolished.
Some of the struggling delegates seized
the broken parts Of chairs which they
used as weapons with which to attack
their fellows. The trouble became so
bad that the executive committee was
forced to send for the police to restore
order
The first demonstration occurred yes
terday afternoon. Some of the Russian
delegates become impatient because the
congress building was not open and
stOrmed the hall, breaking open the doors
and smashing the windows. They final
ly forced there way into the building
where they overturned the chairs and
desks, and wrought havoc generally.
The Russian delegates are exceedingly
bitter against Max Nordsu because he is
territorial Zionist. They have even
made threats of violence against Dr.
Nordau because he does not hold the
same view which they express.
The congress opened at 10 O'Clock,
this morning. Seven hundred and sixty
delegates were present, representing the
Zionist organizations of over twenty
countries in all parts of the world.
This parliament of Jews contains almost
every type of the Hebrew lace. There
are many swarthy Jews with long,
black, unkempt hair and bronzed COM
plexions, from Russia, Roumania, and
Palestine, blond, fair-haired, blue-yed,
pale skinned Jews from Galicia, red
haired and sandy haired Jews, with
blond compilations, fro n Scandinavia,
and Denmark. The great majority Of
delegates from Russia and the East wear
the quaint costume which distinguishes
Jews in their countries from their fellow
inhabitants.
The chair was taken at the commence
ment by the eldest delegate present, the
venerable DIR. Shalty.
DR.. Max Nordau, of Paris, then as
cended the speakers tribune, and de-
livered an eulogy of the late TheodOr
HerzI the originator and former leader
of the Zionist movement.
At the conclusion of DR.. Max Nor
dau's eulogy, dramatic and impressive
incident took place. The whole assem-
bly, of Zionists who had listened to the
address, standing raised their right arms
and repeated in unison. the words of the
Hebrew oath, that they would devote
themselves until death to the great work
which Theodor Herzl began in the in-
terests of the Jewish people. The effect
of this solemn pledge given by hundreds
of men overlooking with earnest enthu-
siasm for their cause was most striking.
After this touching ceremony was over
the Congress settled down to more pro-
sale business.
At the conclusion of the sitting of the
Congress, a memorial service in honor
of Theodor Herzl was held in the syna-
gOgue, and the conference adjourned to
meet there.
A fight ensued in front of the syna-
gogun between members of the Congress
and spectators. The limited capacity OF
the synagogue made ..it impossible for all
to gain entrance and the fight for adj
mission was savage. The police were
unable to cope with the fighting crowds
and it was necessary to summon a fire
brigade which finally dispersed the peo-
pie by turning several high pressure
streams of water upon the rioters. Order
was then restored.