The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-05-02
open new ERA
|. FOR JEWISH RACE

London. May THE news of the
past few weeks, both from Russia and
from Palestine. points to the opening
OF q new era for the Jewish race" de-
clared Sir Alfred Mond In an interview
today. Sir Alfred. who holds the post
OF first commissioner for works in
the Lloyd George cabinet, is the only
Jewish member Of the present min
istry.
In Russia" he explained. "the rev.
olution brings the promise of COM
piete political emancipation; in PAL
estlne. the British advance indicates
in the near future the realization OF
some modified form OF national ideal
which most Jews have held dear for
"of the two events, the revolution
IN Russia is the more important de-
velopment so far as Jews are con-
cerned. for it applies to 100000 of
my race. Nothing like this number
could possibly be affected by the ma
turing of the Palestinian IDEAL
With the advent of liberal regime
In Russia, the sentiment of America
has changed, and Jewish influence,
which was exerted on the side OF anti
russian feeling in America, is now
pro Russian-a very remarkable but
quite natural transformation.
Jewish emigration to the United
states will now diminish for the con-
ditions that made for this emigration
no longer operate. Under the new
era the Russian Jews should shed the
characteristics which are largely due
TO repression, to exclusion from the
life of the nation. Embraced in the
nation, they will be moulded by the
national genius of the Russian people
while retaining their own individual
ity.
Russia will find now that her new
born Jews are a tremendous asset
wherever the Jew has received full
liberty, as in England and the United
states, he has proved himself an en-
ergetic, enterprising and loyal citizen.
In many branches of industry, finance,
law and medicine, he has excelled.
When / was in New York the tre-
mendous zest for educational progress
even among the most illiterate OF the
Jews who had emigrated there, was
one Of the many things that impressed
me. visited an extremely fine tech
meal school, built by the municipality
or New York, one of the finest insti-
tutions of its kind have ever seen,
and there was told that a very large
proportion Of the pupils were children
OF the poorest Jewish parents who had
come from Russia.
Jews in Russia have never been
hostile to the people of Russia, but
only to the despotic form OF govern
ment there, and this hostility undouht-
eddy played a great part In feeding the
repugnance which democratic Ameri-
ca discovered for the Russian autoc-
racy."
Turning to the opportunity opened
up for the Jewish race in Palestine by
the entrance of the British armies
Sir Alfred said: Are the Jews suit
able for the agricultural life which
must be the basis OF the DEVELOPMENT
OF this sun-enriched soil? Reference
to the Jewish agricultural colonies es-
tablished in Palestine in recent years
gives an Affirmative answer These
colonies have achieved remarkable re-
suits and seem to point to the survival
OF the old pastoral instinct of the
Jews
II consider that the Jew has Pc
culiar aptitude for farming. II Jews
are found today mostly in non-agri-
have been prevented for centuries
from owning land, so of necessity they
have congregated in the cities. L
should like to see much larger ag-
rtcultural element among. my people,
for the physical results to the race
would be very appreciable
Il have yet to be convinced that the
foundation of an independent Jewish
state in Palestine comes within the
domain OF practical politics. but / see
no reason why guarantees should not
be given to the Jews there of the FULL
est liberty to manage their own local
affairs and for the protection of the
results of their labor"