The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-16

by various countries IN most otheE
quarters of the globe. Now II Is pro-
posed to do everything that money
and energy can accomplish to push
n programme of enlightenment and
relief there, and so good beginning
has been made in the work of the
existing movement that Mr.. Stratus
has been inspired to take for the time
being personal char ge of affairs.
Details of the work that is being
done in Palestine at the present time
and of plans for the future are told
by DR.. Aaron Aaronsohn. head OF
the Jewish Agricultural Experiment
station. which is located near Jeru-
salem and which is conducted IN
conjunction with the health bureau
started by Mr. Straus. DR.. Aaron
sohn is on a visit at the Straus home.
81 West Seventy-second street, ana
expects to return to Palestine early
next month. He came to, this coun-
try to report to the department or
agriculture on the results of expert
nents in the development for indus
trial purposes of the growing OF wild
wheat" which is found in profuslon
In the farming sections OF his native
country Since he has been here he
has made an extended trip through
California, Arizona and Texas at the
request of the agricultural depart
ments with the wheat in those States.
II was directly through the dis
covery by DR.. Aaronsohn OF wild
wheat that the Jewish Agricultural
Experimental station In Palestine was
found He was born and brought UP
in that country. the son or natlNe
farmer. and after receiving medical
education he came to this country 10
see what reception he would have for
his theories that the cultivation and
adaption Of the wheat for commercial
purposes would tend to cheaper 1000 =
stuffs and rende' disable many ara
districts IN the West where nothing
could grow before. He was favoranly
received by the federal agricultural
authorities and on his trip met me
men who ultimately united to form
The station Of which he is now the
head. Julius Rosenwalk. OF chicago
is president of the board of directors
of the station and members OF II are
oscar Straus. Paul M. WarburS, isaac
n Sell $rnan and Jacob H Sch'h- the
late IsIdor Straus was also aff1hated
with the organization, and SO Is VA
than Straus-
With a plan for the Industrial bet
terrnent of Palestine and its inhanl"
tnnts under way. naturally It became
necessary to DO something for the
( phygtcai alienation of the people
{ themselves since IL had been found
/ that healthy men to do the WORK
! were an Indispensable requirement
/ The rate Of mortality in the country
I was very high and the general heaItF
I OF So low standard that II soor
I became evident that something must
be done to improve conditions II the
Agricultural movement was to be a
success
{ 81, rAr1 hnRRryHA YaGSi
/ evident, something more than yeaI
ago. Nathan Straus WINS in Palestine
/ on a pleasure trip. He was arpealec
To. bat at first declined to do any
/ thing in that country. az he thought hi
/ first duty. from humanitarian stand
point was To the poor ana the SUI
ferinC OF the United States. He con
wented however. To investigate th'
situation personally and soon becam,
so Impressed with the conditions tina
he assured those who had made tbs
appeai that he would do Gil In hi
power TO relieve Thin and would
also solicit the aid of his numeroui
friends Since then his efforts hav'
been unremitting and SUCH improve
rncuts have been introduced that Pal
estine in general and Jerusalem II
particular have become moderntzes
from a hygientc point Of view q
an extent that was not dreamed of 4
few years ago.
II was not only because of his per
sonal experience that Mr. Straus de
fermlned TO lend his aid in Palestine
He believes thar all members of tn
Jewish race owe peculiar duty AM
obligation to that country and tina
wherever feasible no effort should b.
spared to civilize and bring II to
position where 1t VIII bear compari
SON with any other community IN tn
civilized world.
this port. No details have been re
No sooner had Mr. Straus seen will
his own eyes the pitiful and squali'
conditions in Palestine that so sadl.
needed relief than he, with the deci
| sion and generosity characteristic o
| him. took Immediate steps TO correc
| them. With the expenditure of bot
time and n great deal of money he de
| voted himself 10 the object. with re
suit Shat has now far exceeded evel
| the most sanguine expectations
| The first thing he did was to star
: the Nathan Straus Relief Fund, o