Evening star., 1909-02-14
Qrogre88 Of ZtoniSm.
Movement Has Gained Momentum in Washing
ton---ls Growing Stronger in Many Euro
pean Countries Organizations in America.
greatly handicapped in their efforts -
propagate the movement.

greatly handle capped in their efforts -
propagate the movement.
Organizations In America.
In this country there are over 80 So
cieties. all affiliated with the Federation
Of American Zicnists at New York. The
movement is gaining headway. but not
as much as could be expected from such
a growing country. 1t is meeting with
opposition on the part OF a good many
Jews some arguing that to be q Zionist
would show disloyalty to America: others
contend that they do not care for the
movement because they would not think
Of going to Palestine to live; still others
claim that Zionism is fmpracticable be-
cause the soil of Palestine is not fertile
and hence IL Is not capable OF sustaining
large population.
THE first argument is without founda-
tion and false In theory, 1t having been
conclusively proven that a Jew can be a
Zionist and at the same time a true
American citizen said a prominent He
brew of this city recently. Even the
last two men who occupied the position
Of Secretary Of State, Eiihu Root and the
late John Hay he continued. declared
that Zfonism was not incompatible with
American patriotism.
LAS to the second argument. Zionism
does not mean that every Jew must go to
Palestine. In fact. all couldn't go be-
cause lne IdnO Is 100 SIQdI. WndI ZslOn-
ism seeks is to re-establish the Jewish
nation. no matter whether all the Jews
go there or not. As to the fertility OF
Palestine. consular reports received from
time to time have testified to the richness
OF the soil and to a continual Increase in
crops.
Rich Farming Country.
With modern methods Of irrigation
Palestine would become one OF the richest
farming countries in the world. 1t must
not be expected. however, that with the
repeopling Of Palestine by the Jews all
| would engage in farming. A great many
would go into factories and other indus
trial enterprises. Hence the arguments
against Zionism are very weak and easily
refuted. and with a corps of able speak
ers to tour the country and aEitate Zion
ism the movement would be very power
ful here. Unfortunately, the Federation
Of American Zionists has not the financial
means to fill this crying need. and until
1t has there Is not much hope for the
American Zionists taking the lead as
toilers for the cause.
In American Cities.
"In st. Louis. Pittsburg and Chicago
Zionism is quite strong. In the latter
| city, a successful Zionist convention was
recently held. In Texas the Zionists are
| also doing good work, and at q recent
convention of the Federation OF Texas
Zionists held at Waco the reports render
ed were very gratifying. Efforts are now
being made by the Federation OF Ameri-
can Zionists to strengthen the movement
in New York city, the Jewish center OF
! the United States, and a chain of mass
meetings has been arranged for Sunday
evening. February =. to take place
throughout Greater New York. Also. as
a means OF raising funds for the move
ment, a fair will be held In New York
some time in March.
"In Canada Ziouism is on a sound basis
especially in Montreal and Toronto. At
the latter city the Zionists have raised
funds and purchased a handsome building
as their headquarters The Canadian
government has at all times shown a
kindly disposition toward the movement.
and at various times prominent officials
have attended meetings and conventions
OF the Canadian Federation and expressed
their interest in and good wishes for the
welfare of the movement.
1.-The next International Zionist congress
will be held in Hamburg, Germany, next
summer. and the Zionists throughout the
world are eagerly looking forward to that
event. to learn from the leaders what new
opportunities for the Zionist ideal present
themselves in view of the recent political
changes in the Ottoman empire"