New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-17
THE NEW JUDEA

OF a future Jewish state in Palestine
became the fountain source for re-
vival Of the ancient Hebrew language.
While the Palestinian colonists were
comparatively few, and could not pos
siDly be considered as a solution OF
the Jewish problem. the renaissance OF
the Hebrew tongue and culture proved
potent factor IN the cemcntlng ana
cultiyating of Jewish national opinion.
Jews Favored State
When Dr.. Theodore Herzl. a Vienna
journalist. came out in 1895 with the
bold proposal of a Jewish state IN
Palestine he found the Jews Of all
the countries Of the world ready 10
ioin him i'm movement 70 erect a
home for the Jewish people. Thus was
political Zionism born. II appealed TO
the suffering masses everywhere. An
international Jewish congress was held
10 launch the Zionist movement ~
proved very successful. The oppressed
Eastern Jewry naturally threw itself
with great enthusiasm into the ranks
of the Zonists. Under the leadership
of Horzl. who was idoized by his fol
lowers. the movement rapidly expanded
in all directions.
But all the attempts OF Herzl 70
reach some kind Of an understanding
with the Ottoman ruler proved futile.
I'm despair he turned 10 Britain for help,
and was offered Uganda. territory IN
Central Africa. as colonization centre
for Jewish cmiCrants. Most Of the
Zionists rejected tho Uganda offer. thus
causing a split i'm the ranks of the or
ganiZation.
Since the death Of Herzl. in 1904.
Zionism turned from political activity
70 practical work. Many new colonies
we're established I'm Palestine, and
many educational and financial institu-
tions. The overthrow Of the Sultan by
the Young Turks at first encouraged
the Jews to look for a friendly attitude
on the part Of the new governors to the
Zionist aspirations. But this encour-
acement was soon dispelled.
Anti-Semitism on Decline
To-day anti -Semitism may be consld-
cred definitely on the decline. The Rus
sian revolution freed the six million
Jews who were enslaved and prosecuted
by Czarism. Rumana has, through her
King. promised complete Jewish eman-
cipation. The Jewish problem there
fore resolves itself into a nationalistic
question. rather than an urgent life
measure.
There is an influential and consdera-
bic body Of Jews who define themselves
as Jews. in spite Of the fact that they
profess no particular religion. They
are Jewish nationals. There is a pro-
found sentiment for Palestine in the
hearts of the orthodox Jews. who form
the overwhelming majority Of the
worlds Jewry. These two elements
stand for a Jewish state in Palestine.
Opposed TO them are two lnsignii-
cant bodies Of Jewish opinion. One IS
composed Of the so-called aSsimilators.
who believe that the Jews should seek
assimilation with the peoples in whose
midst they live. The other consists OF
Jews who see in Judaism nothing but
p religious teaching. Roth views are
theoretical and are cOntradicted by
reality.
The fact is that the Jewish rank and
file IS supporting the present demand
for A Palestinian state with surprising
unanimitv. OF course. the bulk Of the
Jews will not leave their native lands.
opened 10 them. to migrate 10 their
new national home. But large numbers
undoubtedly will. The condition OF the
Polish Jewry does not promise to be
verv bright in the near future. And
there are many thousands of Russian
Jews who will leave their new free
country with enthusiasm for Palestine
Tho best reason for the solution OF
rho Jewish problem is the unquestion-
able existence Of a powerful national
istic ferment in the Jewish midst. 10
ignore il would mean trouble for the
countries where it nourishes most. Inc
Jewish nationals in this country. Tor
instance, could very properly be told 10
move TO Palestine. as mere all must De
Americans. The same would hold true
of Russia or Austria.
Jews Should Become Nation
The great powers must recognize that
their failure 10 build a Jewish centre
in Palestine would amount 10 the pres
ervation within their midst Of people
who are Becoming more and more CON
scious of their nationallsm. Neither the
United States nor Russia nor England
nor any other country can afford TO
cultivate nations within nations. Inc
Jews should become nation WIN
country Of their own, where they could
perpetuate their culture and national
identity.
That the Allies have recognized TINS
principle is evidenced by their attitude
toward the Jewish question. BRITAIN
France. Italy and the United states, as
vol as Russia. have declared them
selves in favor of Jewish Palestine.
The leader of the Socialist conference
AT Stockholm. Camille Huysmans, has
also announced his support of such
project. 49,. 90
no realized. The wandering Jew Will be
brought back 10 his home by a better
humanity, concluding the long night
marc of Jewish suffering and oppres-