Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-02-17
zIONISTS LOOK
TO JERUSALEM
Federated Societies of Middle West
See Realization of Their
Ancient Dream.

Chicago, Feb. 17.-"This year in
! Jerusalem"
| The generations old orthodox
prayer, next near in Jerusalem,
was changed yesterday TO cry OF
jubilation, when the Federated
Zionist Societies OF the Middle
/ West gathered in their 22nd annual
convention at the Hotel La Sale.
The hearts and souls of the 400
delegates in the convention hall
were in Palestine. Their eyes were
fixed on Paris, where the peace
conference is determining the des-
TIMES of the world-and partic-
ularly their world, the Holy land.
They saw the realization of their
ancient prayer and dream, and
their deliberations were not as Of
/ other years, the pursuit of a vague
longing and nebulous hope, but the
consideration of things that are to
go toward the restoration and re-
construction of the Jewish home
land. now believed assured.
Note of Triumph Sounded.
Last night at three great mass
meetings on the west and north
west sides, where Jewish fathers
and mothers, and grandfathers and
grandmOthers, and children and
babes in arms, gathered to hear
the message brought by those who
promised Jerusalem in the past,
the same note of triumph was
sounded by speakers and audience
alike.
DR.. Benzion Mossinson, principal
Of the Jewish academy at Jaffa,
Palestine, was the principal speak
er at the meetings yesterday. At
the convention DR.. Mossinson
spoke of the Hebrew university,
now in process of establishment i'll
Jerusalem, as the center Of He
brew culture. He said:
''Zionism is not alone a Jewish
but a worldwide, human ideal.
The near east has made no cOntri-
button to world progress in over a
thousand years, because the occi-
dental nations only came to it to
exploit it, The Jew will approach
it sympathetically, and through
him the cradle of human culture
in Asia Minor will once more give
to the world something valuable.
The university, by centering Jew
ish culture in Jerusalem, will aid
in this"
At night the Hebrew institute
and the Sabin school auditorium
mass meetings DR.. MossinsOn
spoke of the possible jewish con-
tributions to the world. and as
serted the Jews have soul of
their own but have been unable to
give it to the world for lack of a
national unity.
Prosecutions Explained.
He also asserted that, due to the
revival of nationalistic feeling be
cause of the war, and for economic
reasons, there are prosecutions
throughout central Europe. in Rus
STA, Galicia, and Germany. He de-
clared one reason is tina. the Jew
is not regarded as part of these ma
tons, and added that until he has
his own the Jew will not be re-
ceived upon terms Of equality.
The morning session also heard
reports from President Max Shul-
man of the middle west societies.
which detailed reconstruction work
already done in Palestine, incIud-
ing the establishment of the Zion
ist administrative commission. the
first Jewish government N Pales-
tine in 1000 years; the organiza-
ton Of an educational system and
a health department, and the re
vival of agriculture Mr. Shulman
also told of the heroism of the
Jewish division in tho British
army, the first Jewish Unit, fight
ing under a Jewish flag since
biblical times; the various steps
taken in this country for represen-