New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-10-07
Time for Jews to Agitate
for Freedom of Home
Land
Favored by Brandeis
German Victory in East Would
Kill Zionism, Says English
Commander

That the time for the Jews to de-
msnd Palestine as their home land IS
now, in the opinion expressed by Com
mander Josiah Wedgwood, NJ. p, the
distinguished English statesman and
member Of the British Mesopotamia
Commission, in an interview with the
London correspondent Of "The Ameri-
can Hebrew" published in its issue
this week.
When asked whether the psychology
cal moment has yet arrived for the
pressing of this question, he replied:
Certainly. 1t is now or never. Yes,
never before in the history or the
Jews has such a glorious opportunity
OF acquiring Palestine as jewish set-
Element risen at the flood as at the
present. 1t remains for the Jews 70
take it, and SO lead themselves on TO
national good fortune.
Palestine VIII Be Free
"The British army Is now standing
outside the gates of GAIA, and soon,
like Samson of old, it will carry or
the gates on their backs. Once this
important outpost, the key to Jana and
Jerusalem, is in our hands, Palestine
can be freed for the Jews forever. For
British victory in Palestine would
mean not merely Turkish defeat but
the utter collapse of Prussianism.
at is curious how history repeats
itself. It was Sir Sidney Smith VINO
gave Napoleon his coup de grace a!
Acre, which defeat saw the decline OF
Napoleon's military power. SO to-day
the defeat of Prussian militarlsrn, the
greatest menace that ever threatened
human liberty, lies in Palestine.
German Aims Fpiled
"The aim Of Germany, you know, has
been the driving of wedge between
Great Britain and her Far Eastern pos
sessions by striking at the link, the
Suez Canal. Fortunately, up TO now,
all their diabolical plans have failed
IN this direction. And this is where
the Jews come in. AS an Englishnan,
cannot regard Palestine entirely from
the Jewish point of view, !. e., merely
from the idealistic point OF view; but
with the usual characteristics OF my
race, who invariably make their own
interest coincide with some ideal, |
think that il would be a good bargain
for England if Jews we're allowed 20
recreate Jewish state in Palestine.
Necessity for British
"I.et ne give you my reasons for
thinking so. In the past Egypt, which
was British protectorate, merely re-
auired from 5000 10 5000 so ldiers 10
guard IT, Whereas, if Palestine were
to remain In future in Turkish hands,
i. e., in German hands, we should have
20 keen some $4,000 or $4,000 soldiers,
or nearly two army corps, perma-
uently stationed in Egypt, against an
inevitable attack and probable inva-
sion from the northeast.
"The Suez Canal would never be
safe, as we know that the Germans
have designs upon it. You see, then,
that it is vital and necessary that 2
Jewish buffer state should be created
out Of Palestine not only for the
safety and security Of the Jews. but
also for the safety and security Of our
own empire.
Plan Favored by Brandeis
"When | was over in America last |
tried 20 sound Justice Brandeis, who,
"a YOU doubtless know, carries great
weight with President Wilson, on the
creation of Jewish nation state IN
Palestine. He listened very sttentively
to what | had to say and expressed
himself in full accord with the Basic
programme as the best means of solv-
ing the worldwide Jewish problem.
He quite appreciated the fact that
American Jewry has the advantage
over all the other Jewries, in that II
has had so many Jewish ambassadors
at Constantinople, and consequently
they have been able 20 study the ques-
ton and the surrounding difficulties
on the spot as il were.
"A Nation Once Again
AS regards diplomatic action, how
ever, Justice Brsndeis was very eau
tious and reticent. He expressed no
decided view as to whether England or
America, or both Of them jointly, to.
gether with France and Italy, should
act as the guarantors OF a Jewish
Palestine.
II wonder whether the Jews are alive
to the fact" Commander Wedgwood,
with some emotion, concluded, that
they are living at great, important
moment in their history. A slight
turn of the wheel. "A great British mill
tary success in Palestine, and the Jews
NAV become nation once again, and
thus win back that dignity and self
respect without which no people can
hope to achieve great ends"