The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1911-11-03
By WILLIAM 7. ELLIS.

Jerusalem-Of all the nationalistic
stirrings within the breasts of men
today. the most romantic ia the long
ing Of deVout Jews to get back for
themselves the land of Abraham and
David. All Christendom is interested
IN this project. Some schools of
christian theology stake vast prophetic
issues upon 1t. Statesmen of Europe
are interested In 1t as one solution
Of the question of what to do with the
Jew. who has been made unwelcome
IN all their lands Whatever be the
reason for the well-nigh universal
sympathy with the Zionistic aspira-
ton, the news has doubtless been re-
ceiyed with regret that the Young
Turks have formally and officially an
nounced that the immigration of Jews
into Palestine must cease. Moreover,
IT is intimated that those already here
must go.
That is the latest development in
Zionism; but 1t must be remembered
that Zionism is part and parcel of all
high politics, and the end is not yet.
II Is not at all impossible that the
reason for this recent adverse pro-
nouncement is nothing less than the
failure of the French loan to Turkey.
Let nobody think that the Zionists
are merely company of pious Jewish
expatriates, signing for the land of
their fathers. They are the bankers
Of Europe and the men who often say
the deciding word in affairs of ma
tons ! have reason to believe that
Zionism has been an important factor
in the recent hidden politics of the
Turkish Empire. Some of the leaders
Of the Committee of Union and Prog
ress are Jews, and Salonika, the head
quarters of the Young Turk party. is
the home of an influential body of
Jews who, several generations ago,
embraced the Moslem faith, although
they are commonly regarded as being
better Jews than Moslems. In most
Unexpected places the Zionist cause
has allies, and one trained observer Of
events at Constantinople said to me,
You will never get hold of the true
inWardness Of this Turkish situation
until you unraYel the relation of Zion
ism to it"
zionism and Abdul Hamid.
For the present, the Jews have lost.
Whatever their influence with the
Young Turk leaders, they have, on the
whole, preferred the regime of Abdul
Hamid. A member of the central
Zionist committee told me in Berlin
that Zionists would rather have the
old order than the new. His was the
first downright defence of the deposed
monarch | had ever heard. The rea-
sons given were, first, that the Turks
have ever been kindlier to the Jews
than have the Christians; and, Sec
ondly, that Abdul Hamid permitted
the Jews to settle in Palestine, and to
acquire land.
Legally, no Jew is permitted to live
in Palestine longer than three months
Upon entering the country he is
obliged to surrender his passport, and
receive temporary red passport. AS
lot acquiring property, that also is
aud long has been interdicted. But
one well-informed Jewish leader at
Jana merely shrugged his shoulders
when I brought up this subject, and
SAID, I'VE have golden key that can
unlock any door in Turkey. Practical
y, We have found no difference be-
tween the old days and the new. In
elther case we have to get what we
want by 'backsheesh.'
theoretically, there are no Jews in
turkey; practically, there are more
than hundred thousand in the Prom
lss0 Land. In the past five years the
lumber has increased fifty per cent.
Nhen the constitutional party came
mo power. with its avowals of COM
pete religious and racial liberty, the
hearts of devout Jews and their
trends everywhere leaped with exul-
,auon; this meant the advent of the
unexpected day when the Children
q israel should be free once more to
se'ue IN the land of their fathers.
4onlsm's heralded day had dawned.
NOW these hopes have once more
ueen dashed AS of yore, every Jew
sao enters Palestine must do so by
Olloery and stealth. Those without
pasSports must buy them; and COM
uon report has it that there used to
. q lively traffic in American pass
poVts IN this country. That has been
!. a.suost' If not altogether, broken up by
Ie vigilance of the consuls, and the
sgurement that every American
llAen securing a red passport shall
ssposit the original one at the con-
suia'e' Each nation must look after
= own nationals in Turkey, and, TN
s9.ttunately, there is no one nation to
sand back of the Jews, as France
psanaS back of the Roman Catholics.
suSsia back of the Greek church, and
~ and Great Britain back of
ae Protestants.
win Jews Be Driven Out?
,,a - spite of the late vigorous pro-
nv suneement from Constantinople,
Sa Ie Is little likelihood that the Jews
T M IN Palestine will be driven out.