New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-20
Zl0NISM
An Authoritative Exposition of
the Movement.

ZIONIsM. BY Richard ]. II. Gotthel'
Professor OF Semitic Languages In Co
lumbia University; Sometime fresloeIII
Of the Federation OF American HionlstS'
Illustrated. 12mo, PIP: IoS. Inc jews"
Publication Society OF America
There is certainly something attrac-
tive and inspiring in the proposal 10
give the land without a people to the
people without a land In any case
almost, II would seem logical and prac-
tjcaI But IT far transcends those quail
tiles when the land and the people in
question belong To each other by virtue
Of a possession among the most an
cient in the world, and OF circum-
stances making the strongest Of sp-
peals 10 equity and to sentiment. There
are various other peoples who plead
for or demand fuller control OF their
own land. But the Jewish people
stand alone in asking that their land
be restored to them after their en-
forced exile from it for eighteen hun
dred years
Professor Gottheil is, OF course,
Zionist. and he writes the history Of
the Zionist movement from the point
Of view not merely Of a sympathizer
but Of an earnest propagandist. Yet
we cannot accuse him OF partially, AZ
least TO the extent Of doing any injus-
tice TO those who differ from his views.
He gives them credit for the integrity
OF their motives, while he is by no
means blind to the difficulties which
beset his own programme. or TO the
mistakes which have been made by
some in striving to promote it. We have
not seen elsewhere any other compare
bly, complete history of the Zionist
project, both before and since Theodor
Herzl: and we surmise that some Of
the disclosures which are made Of ne
gotiatiOns and transactions OF various
kinds will be news even TO many with
in the councils OF the movement. But
the author fortifies his narrative at all
points with a wealth Of references
which guarantee its authority.
With his vindioation of the patriot
ism of Zionists in the lands in which
they now happen to be sojourners there
will be hearty agreement on the part
OF thoughtful men. The loyal Ameri-
canism Of Jews has been too often
proved to be doubted now because they
advocate the restoration OF their an
cient home 10 their scattered race.
What we should like to see considered
more fully than II has hitherto been is
the question Of the effect Of centuries
OF exile upon the capacity and aptness
Of the Jews for renewed national life.
They have retained their racial indi-
viduality as no other people has ever
done But have they equally retained
those characteristics which are essen
tial 10 national life, and which for so
many centuries have been perforce in
more or less complete allegiance? The
question is not raised with any predis-
position 10 answer it i'm the negative.
but Il is impossible to avoid suspecting
that All these centuries Of exile and
subsection and OF enforced engage
ment in strange modes OF life and bust
ness may have made an impress upon
them. The Jews OF old were largely
For centuries husbandry
v as forbidden to them. Have they re-
tanned their old taste and aptitude for
il? The example Of some, as OF the
Jewish colonies in New Jersey, an
swers emphatically Yes; while that
u Others, who cling TO the city tene-
nents and shops in spite Of ali efforts