Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1918-09-02

Jcwishapopulation in Jerusalem grew
from a handful 10 10000. The little
colonies were operated urder manag-
ing boards which were elected annual
" By universal suffrage. Banks were
established, trust companies financed
and schools built. Every village has
its Hebrew school and Hebrew
kindergarten. Hebrew vas the CHOSEN
language of all the schools.
Germany Inteiferes
But already the r-Ge1lnanists had
turned their gaze to these struggling
Jewish colonies. Here, they thought.
was a gateway to the Orient! Ac-
cordingly, they began laying the;
plans to gel possession Of 1t.
Among those who contributed to-
ward the Jewish Institute of Tech
,iology at the foot Of Mount Carme
were two Germans, James Simon and
Dr., Paul Nathan, rkoy became mem
bers If the governing board. When
the board sought to pass d resolution
introducing Hebrew as the sole lam
cuage of instruction in the school, the
German members suddenly rose up
and opposed ii. They demanded that
ali scientific and technical subjects be
taught in German. The controversy
which ensued over this language ques-
tion was one of the first battle fought
in the great TAR,
The Jews won their victory. When
the Germans pushed through their
plan in their begged Prussian fashion,
tic friends Of the Hebrew language
resigned III BODY. At Jaffa, at
Jerusalem, and at Haifa, meetings of
protest we're held and resolutions were
passed demanding q reconsideration.
The students Of tie school protested.
but their pro German director ignored
them. The teachers protested. DR..
Nathan overruled them. Thereupon,
teachers and students resigned to-
gcther, and went over TO a new He
brew school. The fight continued, with
.le result that six new institutions
we're opened by the Zionists at all of
which Hebrew alone was taught. Thus
the attempt to Prusslanize Palestine
had already been morally defeated be-
fore the war broke out.
Zionist Troops In the War
But the language war was merely
q clash of cultures, battle of prln-
ciples fought to finish without blood
shed. Since then, the devoted Zionists
OF Palestine have taken part in actual
warfare. They are now fighting
among Entente troops for the cause
of democracy as valiantly as any SOL
diers.
One organization of Jewish soldiers
played a part IN the glorious but i'll
fated Gallipoli campaign. This force,
known as the Zion Mule Corps, was
organized from among those Jews
who were compelled to flee from Pales-
tine at the outbreak of the war be-
cause they refused to become Otto
man subjects. Unframed in the arts
of war, yet eager to. do their bit, they
volunteered for the. unmartial tasks
that are a part of any military cam
paign. .
They were prepared to carry water
and to lead he mules carrying am
munition to the first line trenches.
They were placed under the command
of Col. Patterson, that brilliant Irish
ran who has since sung their fame
IN the notable book entitled :'With the
Zionists at Gallipoli,"@ in. which he
tells how in the face OF shot and shell,
in the very thick IF the fray, then
went. resolutely about their task. And
he tells of that remarkable moment
when the Royal Iniskilling regiment
rad gotten into. "a tight place. These
abandoned their appointed
asks, not to flee to q place of safety,
;ut to jump into the trench, and tax
re rifles from dead soldiers hands,
'ough as valiantly as the "the ladies
rom hell" and won the day.
Out OF this Zion Mule Corps mas
.rown the Jewish Legion, organized {
n America, England and Canada from
mong Jews who for one reason or
mother Except physicaD are ineligi- {
lie to the draft in the country Of their E
esidence. Fifteen hundred have al
aady gone to Palestine from America, !
nd they have joined at the front the !
ewish regiment which was organized n
! London, and which has already re-
aived its baptism Of fire somewhere t
orth of Jaffa. Other contingents are :
repairing to go from America and =
iii Others from 'C5anada. There is '