Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-30
RETURN OF HEBREWS
DESIRE TO RE-ESTABLISH RACE
IN PALESTINE.

The Zionist mass meeting yesterday af-
ternoon at Pythian Hall, on 9th street near
Massachusetts avenue northwest the object
of which was the discussion OF means to
encourage the return of Hebrews to Palas-
tine was marked by much enthusiasm.
1t was declared that the Jew would no
longer be "a man without country, or
a wanderer upon the face of the earth,
and that what the race has always ex-
pected through the direct Intervention OF
heaven would be realized through the
earnest endeavor and concerted action on
the part of the Jews of the whole world;
that, while they are in theory a nation,
they will be a nation IN fact, with an
organized government which will raise Its
head among the powers of the world and
extend protecting arm to its citizens In
every land.
Mr.. Louis Promenson of New. York de-
livered an address, in which he said
at is incorrect to say that the Zionists
are organizing a colony in Palestine for
Russian Jews. The movement is not a
philanthropc one, 1t is a national one for
the reorganization of the Jewish state on
historic soil 1t is, therefore, a movement
for all Jews, and 1t is as necessary, from
the Zionists' viewpoint, for the Jew living
in lands of peace and liberty as for Jews
living in conditions of turmoil and oppres-
sion, because the Jew cannot be his best
self long as he has TO conform to such
conditions as compel him to stultify his
very Jewishness.
Only Half Jew.
For example, Jew in America is half
Jew half American, and there is con-
slant conflict between the American and
Jew within his own bosom, so that they
war with each other in his own conscious
ness. His conformity to the American Gus
toms is at odds with his historic con-
seriousness. He is an American politically
but Jew essentially, and Is always con-
scious of 1t. 1t is the same in all countries,
and no matter how far he may get away
from Jewish customs, thoughts and usage;
NJ matter how many years he may be
apparently Jew by birth only, the time
always comes when his historic conscious
ness awakens. II is the intention of the
Zfcnists. therefore. to give him a nation in
fact; a government to which Jews in all
lands may owe allegiance if they wish"
1t was explained that Zionism is political
in Its intents. The movement is worldwide,
the Federation of American Zionists being
affiliated with the International organiza-
ton In England the Jewish colonial trust
has been Incorporated with an authorized
capital of eco, and already thousands
of dollars are pouring into its Golfers. Aside
from the money that will be necessary to
acquire Palestine and adjacent lands. 1t
was stated, the Zionists expect assistance
through diplomatic Intervention of different
powers.
Nation Must Have Home.
1t was declared by one speaker that the
whole project Is predicated upon the idea
that the race is a nation and that 1t must
have a home. So long as the Jew adheres
to the tenets of his faith and preserves the
history of his race, 1t was added. so long
will assimilation by the people of any coun-
try be impossible. 1t is the declared inten-
ton to practice Jewish customs and live the
Jewish life unhampered by social and po-
litical ostracism. I'VE are the Jews" the
speaker asserted, 'and want Jewish cul-
ture, and desire to exercise the distinctive
genius for the welfare of our country first
and then for the world at large. Palestine
is already being colonized. Agriculturists
are busy filling her historic soil. Commerce
is being established, and even colonies
cmposed of the better classes of Jews from
different countries are organizing, There
are 10000 young men there now, and the
development of Palestine is illimitable."
1t was stated that the scheme is not a
new one. as it was promulgated ten years
ago through the inspiration of "Juden
Stadt," production of the pen of Theodor
Herzl, and his ideas crystallized into action
at Basic. Switzerland, IN August, 1895.
Rev. Mr.. Orlansky of New York delivered
an address in Yiddish, after which the ses-
sion closed with the reading of the report
of the last convention of the Federation of
American Jews.