The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1914-12-21

Y IOt al QlutElCtb. rGIOiu Lue t4lu6 Oh Tue
destruction Of the temple, nearly 1000
years ago, the hope OF a return to the
land of his fathers buoyed up the Jew
|amidst direst persecution.
When less than a generation ago
the Jews were driven by persecution
out Of Russia and Roumania, arrange
ments were made for some Of them to
return to Palestine as colonists i'm
stead OF coming to America to find an
asylum, as thousands OF them did. The
first Zionist colonists had to face
obstacles of many kinds The land
seemed an arid treeless desert All
natural resources had been destroyed.
1t was iolesome and malarial, so
that many lost their lives In establish
ling the earliest settlements. The beo-
pie were Ill equipped to grapple with
the difficulties of pioneer life. They
were ignorant Of the ways OF farmers
lives which they proposed to lead.
\ For centuries the Jews OF Russia and
Roumaniu have been denied the OPP
portunity OF owning ana working
land. Their activities had been con-
fined to commercial pursuits in the
towns.
The land has now been reclaimed
by modern methods OF agriculture, so
that It bids soon again 10 be flowing
with milk and honey" Oranges,
grapes. almonds and grain grow in
abundance. Those who understand
| the natural resources of Palestine
claim that 1t is miniature California
In its climate and agricultural possi-.
bilities. Its commercial possibilities
are proved by the fact that It's orange
expectations have Increased within
ten years from 10000 boxes annually
to ], 800, 900 boxes. This export Is ex-
pected to be doubled within five years
when the newly planted orange trees
begin to bear fruit Other fruits are
being cultivated. The time honored
olive growing industry is being re-
viyed. Grains are being raised in ex-
cess OF the home needs, considerable
quantity OF wheat having been ex-
ported to Italy last year.
While the Hebrew reverence for the
habits Of his ancestors is respected,
the modern advances in science and
industries are being applied to this
re-establishcd nation. Modern i'm
|plements OF agriculture are replacing
those In use for centuries Modern
fertilization is restoring the soil to
its former excellence. The colonists
themselves have the spirit OF pioneers
and are working valiantly to overcome
all obstacles, but the means to re-
habilitate Palestine must be supplied
by the Jews who are able to accumu-
late money in other countries.
However, 1t Is mistake to suppose
that the Zionist movement has in view
the ultimate return OF all the Jews
IN the world to Palestine. That coun-
try would not hold more than a fifth
OF the Jews who now number at least
100000 in the world. The movement
does not influence any zone to 60
there except voluntarily. It is but q
visible sign of a spiritual effort of
the leaders Of a great race to pre-
serve in some place national life
with freedom to live and to worship
at their own option.
An important feature in the real
construction of real Jewish national
life by the colonization of Palestine
| is the use OF the Hebrew language In
] that country. Hebrew has been con-
sidered dead language for many
centuries. It is now again the Lam
guage OF Jerusalem and throughout
Palestine, wherever Zionist colony
has located. The Jews who settled in
Palestine came from every land, each
speaking a different tongue except
for the Yiddish used in his devotions.
The fervor the jewish colonies feel
for the revival OF the Hebrew in Pal
estine was demonstrated last year in
the struggle made to prevent it being
superseded In certain schools. Some
Jews from Germany, America and
Russia last year contributed money to
found technical school in Haifa. It
was intended at first that this should
be a Jewish school with Hebrew as
the prevailing language, but the Ger
mans were not willing to have it SO.
The people Of Haifa we're so strong
in their determination to establish |
Hebrew as the national language IN
Palestine that they refused to send
their children to German speaking
school, much as its benefits were
needed in the vicinity. The matter.l
has not been definitely settled Even
the settlers who were born and eau
Gated in Europe are opposed to allow
ing any other language than Hebrew |
to gain a foothold in their newly re-
gained Palestine.
To restore Palestine then to a |
standard of civilization worthy OF the
race which has preserved the high
est civilization of the world for many |
centuries is an object which the aver.
age modern Hebrew is finding worthy
OF his greatest generosity.
.
nrru nrrmxr vrrae