The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1918-01-12
THE TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
IMPORTATION BUREAU
By FREDERIC j. HAsKIN. Director,
Washington. ID. @.
A JEWISH FATHERLAND.
The Movement to Set Up Jewish Ma
ton in Palestine Gains Powerful
International Support.

The Movement to Set Up Jewish Ma
ton in Palestine Gains Powerful
International Support.
Washington, D. c., Jan S.-A reso-
luton pending in the house or repre-
sentatives congratulates the British
government on declaring in favor of
1.-The establishment in Palestine OF
national home for the Jewish people,
and further states that we rejoice
that it may be given to us and our as
sociates in the war to lend the fuliest
measure of our support to the succe S.
full prosecution of this historic under
taking III behalf of justice and liberia
ton"
If this resolution passes, as it prob
ably will on coming up for -considera-
ton, it will mean that the United
States is pledged with England to the
establishment of a Jewish nation in
the ancient Jewish land of Palestine.
The millions of Jews in the United
States, and the powerful position they
occupy in industry, commerce and
finance, render the establishment of
such a Jewish state, and its effects. of
great interest and importance to the
American people.
The resolution was introduced by
Congressman Lunn of New York, who,
curiously enough. is a Presbyterian
minister. The chairman of the COM
mittee on foreign affairs, Mr.. Flood,
expressed approval of the resolution,
and said his committee will report 1t
as soon as war business permits. Mr..
Floods statement is significant, mas
much as it might be interpreted as eX-
pressing the attitude of the adm MS
tration.
There is little doubt that the pro-
posed Jewish nation is in accord with
the principles often voiced by Presi-
dent Wilson since America entered
the war, but the attitude of the gov
eminent is somewhat in doubt, owing
to technical point involved. The
United States is not at war with Tur-
key The proposed Jewish state at
present belongs to Turkey. Hence the
Lunn resolution might be construed
by Turkey as hostile act.
The question cannot be settled in
any event until the peace conference,
and there is no doubt that the United
States will support the general aspira-
tons of the Zionists, as the Jews who
wish to found nation. in Palestine
are called. at that time. However,
passage of the Lunn resolution Is re-
garded as probable at an early date.
| The Palestine question is an in
~, volved and delicate one. The great
majority of the Jews of the world
are IN favor of Zionism in one form
or another-the establishment of a
center for the race, and a fatherIand
| for the prosecuted members of it, on
the old site of Jewish nationalism
There is, however, strong Jewish
minority who oppose Zionism, on the
ground that the Jew should become a
| part of any existing nation where lie
casts his lot, so completely that even
! a sentimental fatherland and race CEN
ter, which he may never visit. should
be far from his thoughts. This mi
nority has never succeeded in its OPP
position. The Zionists have treated
| nd ip
cause has been recognized, and in the
event of an allied victory, their pur-
pose is assured. But even among the
Zionists, there are several parties, ar /
some disagreement as to the form
which the new Jewish state should
take.
Zion may become a colony, a pro-
iectorate, or an autonomous state.
There are supporters of each form of
government among the Jews in the
movement. Many Jews desire an in
dependent nation. This sentiment was
expressed in a recent proclamation
from the powerful liner actions COM
mlttee of the organization, in which
occurs the phrase, The trenches on
all fronts have played the role of a
good school, With the fighting COM
rades, apparently closely linked to.
gether thru blood and suffering, the
Jews there have-this must be frank
| ~ TIE more IelI their
isolation with increased grief And
that great longing for organic coher-
ence, which any human being can
only feel towards one country, even
If he loves another country, too
| that longing has seized them with a
peculiar strength"
This state of affairs probably ap-
plies to the German army. where Jews
were only recently admitted to the
privilege of winning officer rank, to
the Austrian army, where anti-Semitic
feeling has always run high, and per-
haps to the Russian army, for the Jew
| in Russia lived apart under the old
regime, tho since the revolution Jews
have taken prominent part.
On the other hand, it does not ap-
ply in America. or at least only in a
very attenuated form. Some thought
full American Jews have looked with
doubt on a politically autonomous
Jewish nation, which might undertake
to speak for the Jews of the world.
They do not feel painfully isolated
here, and they fear that the existence
of Jewish nation might differentiate
them from other Americans. as hint
ing the possible existence of a "hy-
phen." 1t should be stated that the
men who are perhaps the most promi-
nent in American Zionism do not seem
to share this view.
1t has come to- the surface very
plainly in England, however, where
the formal declaration of the cabinet
that his majesty's government views
with favor the establishment in Pales-
tine of a national home for the Jewish
people, and will use its best endeavors
to facilitate the achievement of this
object" has brought the matter to a
head An association called the
League of British Jews has beer
formed. numbering among it's founders
some OF the most prominent Jews in
England, including sundry lords, mem
bers of parliament army officers
scholars and financiers. One of the
objects of the league is ito resist the
allegation that the Jews constitute q
separate political nationality" In ex.