Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-02-07

thcn began to strengthen their hold
ana though much has been done for
the betterment OF the country, the
blight OF Ottoman government has CON
tnucd TO Cypress it.
ALTERNATIVE Policies
PRESENT THEMSELVES
Two alternative policies present
themselves in this urgent problem. The
German Emperor has taken n great in
ierest in Palestine, and his rather thea
trical visit TO the Holy Land in 1905
has contributed TO the extension Of
German activity in the country. There
is the proposal OF the Zionists expressed
by licrZl. who came TO this country in
the year of the kaiScrs visit to Pales-
tine, that Jewish state shall be cs-
tablishcd in that land. There is also
the proposal now put forward that the
country shall be developed into IL Chris
tan state, guaranteed, perhaps in its
national neutrality by the powers
The Zionist movement. which drew
much of its strength from the persc-
cutions OF the anti-Semites. and has
been inspired by race consciousness ana
the idea of a spiritual mission. led to
deep interest among the Jews in the
affairs OF the Holy Land PRACTICABLE
the movement took the form OF inn
proving the situation OF the local Jews.
but II embodied also the purpos. Of re-
establishing the Jewish nation in the
country. Lord PalmerSton became in
tcrested III the plan, and Lord Bcacous-
field and Lord Salisbury supported I.au-
renee Oliphant in his negotiations with
the Porte for a concession which might
pave the way TO the establishment of
such State. which was regarded as
promising further strengthening Of
the British route to India.
But the Zionist movement has not
led TO any great stream Of Jewish i'm
migration into the country. The Jews
here have been unable 10 make any
Roadway against the Turkish oppres-
sion. and there has been no Jewish
political and little agricultural or other
development
II is proposed. therefore. to work to-
wards the creation OF Christian state
in Palestine. either under British pro-
lection. as was formerly projected. or
as an autonomous state guaranteed in
LIS permanent neutrality Of the powers.
Such political organization would by
no means exclude Jews from the coun-
try. for II would need to he. above all
things. tolerant. federation, it mus:
be admitted, has not been the rule in
the Holy Land.
And end must be put to the puarrels
between various orders of the Greek
and Latin churches which have not
been creditable to the spirit which il
is desirable 10 elevate. There have
been outstanding causes of dispute at
work. the Russians supporting the
Greek monks. and the Turks looking
n fDln
under French inspirations. jealousy OF
this kind was one exciting cause OF
the Russian War OF lS5+-55
SHOULD GREEKS OR I.ATiNS
HAVE MOST CONSIDERATION.
Should Greeks or I.atins enjoy most
consideration? Which of them should
enter earliest I'm the day into the
Church of the Holy Sepulchre. or
should have possession OF the great
Church OF Bethlehem" There was n
disturbance in November 1901, which
arose from a dispute as to the right to
sweep certain stairs at the HOLY
Sepulchre Church. after which the Latin
communities were assigned to the pro
lection OF their national consuls
Such abuses have arisen from tho
want of proper understanding between
the powers. and OF any means OF set
thing disputed points a Christian
state established In Palestine would he
in stronger position. Perhaps pre-
ferahlc to the old idea OF British con
troll would be n guaranteed neutral
state, all the great powers having rep
resentatives at the seat OF government.
Permanent neutrality should he guar
antecd. and order might be kept by tho
institution OF gcndarmcric. with Of
fcers specially selected by the powers.
Under such a system the holy places
would be zcalously guarded, and would
not be subjected to dcsecration either
by quarrels or the intrusion OF tram
ways or other like visible expression
of tho activities of modern life. There
would soon follow n morvcIoua no