New-York tribune., 1907-08-18
ZION AT THE HAGUE.

If fhe statements made by q speaker at q
meeting on the East Side few days ago were
founded facts-if il is really true that or the
seven hundred and fifty thousand Jews IN New
York more than one-half are In sympathy with
Zionism and its fight for free state'-then
New York is not only the largest Jewish city In
the world, but it has also the largest Zionist
COLONY, The Federation OF American Zionists
has its central office In this city, and that body
in calling attention to the eighth international
Zionist Congress. which was formally opened at
The Hague on Wednesday. says that Zionism
has become of SO much interest to Jews as well
as non-Jews that all readers will be glad to
know some facts in regard to the work Of Zion
"ism.' For the facts" two pamphlets have been
sent to us. The first paragraph In one OF them
reads: ..Zionism strives to obtain for the Jew
''ish people a legally secured, publicly recognized
home In Palestine" All that follows is only an
ampllfcaton Of this motive and condensed his
tory of the progress made In ten years toward
the Zionist goal, Jewish state. The one para
graph gives a clear Idea OF the aims and objects
of the movement. 1t was DR.. Theodor Herzl
an idealist. whose ambition 1t was to ameliorate
the condition of his people, who raised the BAN
ner bearing the legend THE Jewish Land for the
Jewish People" His unmistakable honesty, his
steadfastness of purpose. his enthusiasm and eo-
ouence drew to him large following. and his
of those who recognized its impracticability and
hopelessness. Herzl died three years ago in the
prime of vigorous young manhood. Thousands
followed the body to Its last resting place No
decorations were placed on the rough pine cof-
fin and no Grafton was spoken over II. The
highest Zionist officer present said s0lemnly
while the clods were falling: "We swear that
1--WE will carry on with all power the work
begun by thee"
The work has been carried on. but the enthu-
siasm which Herzl created is missing and the
defects of the cause are more conspicuous. In
ternal wranges have developed, prominent men
in the movement have withdrawn because Of dis
agreement to policy and when the present con-
gress was about to convene one writer said that
the delegates would have to determine whether
Zionsm was now poetry or business; whether
the policy marked out by Herzl which aimed
at the establishment Of free state. should be
followed or should be abandoned in order to
devote more energy TO practical work" In Pales
tine work directed toward making that coun-
try attractive TO the expatriated Jew.
The Zionists Of this country have sent forty
delegates to the congress, but they do not repre-
sent the American Jewish element. The re-
formed party, which has cast off the oldtime
usages and customs, is opposed to the movement,
and its leaders embrace every opportunity to
speak Of Zionsm as un-American. They have
no part in the desire for a return to Palestine,
and their sentiments as TO the establishment Of
q Jewish state were recently expressed by Jacob
Fl. Schiif, who said In an address delivered at
Atlantic City:
We do not need. in these United States. TO have
held out hope of the re-establshment
Of a Jewish nation IN Palestine. In the dim, far
away future Not in distant lands but here
among US need centres from which to draw
love for and attachment to our religion. for the
inspiration ii gives to make the Jew better
man, better citizen wherever his home may be.
This is the view which the majority Of Amer
lean Jews take of the Zionist movement, and for
that reason they believe that not they but the
recently immigrated element is represented at
The Hague by the forty delegates who vote there
as Americans