New-York tribune., 1920-12-19
:, ork started at once prevented my
going this year to Palestine"
Tribute to Mr.. Straus

Tribute to Mr.. Sfraus
A fine appreciation of Nathan
Strauss splendid work in Jerusalem
is contained in an official report sub
mitted by our consul in the Holy
City. DR.. Otis Glazebrook, after
stating that at no time during his
varied acquaintance with the many
activities promoted in Palestine vas
he ever afforded greater pleasure
than when he came in contact with
the institutions - charitable, indus
trial and scientific-founded by Ma
than Straus, writes:
"All honor to Mr.. Straus and men
of like foresight and liberality. In
the spirit Of such benefactors is the
possibility of the physical and ma
terlal regeneration Of the Holy
Land"
The work of Nathan Straus in
Jerusalem was ably seconded through
the two orphanages founded and
maintained by the American Joint
Distribution Committee, the largest
relief organization Jews the world
ever have yet succeeded in estah-
fishing. During the month of July.
when l visited the institutions, they
were caring for 4,039 orphans.
The orphanages are being con
Quoted along thorough American
lines, even to the extent Of allowing
the children to set up a "govern-
ment" of their own and elect "offi-
cials" intrusted with administering
the government" The United
States Constitution served as the
model on which was patterned the
constitution of the orphanage repub
lie.
Possibly the most important
American contribution in regenerat-
ing Jerusalem is that Of the Ameri-
can Zionist Medical Unit.
Zionist Medical Unit
Of singular interest is the story
Of the origin of the unit; in it is
exemplified dream come true. The
American Zionist Medical Unit was
born in the brain Of Henrietta Sold,
one Of the noblest daughters in
American Israel. For more than
five years she dreamed of it, talked
about it and unremittingly worked
for it. During that time her idea
suffered many vicissitudes. But
finally it completely triumphed.
In June, 1913, at The time when
Palestine was practically without a
single doctor, all of the native ply
s!cians having either been requisi-
toned by the Turkish and German
military authorities or having sue
cumbed to the disease they were
fighting, forty-four doctors and
trained nurses left America for Je-
rusalem, after due consent for their
sailing had been obtained from the
Allied powers and the American
government.
The arrival Of the unit marked
new era in the sanitary and hygienic
life Of the people of the Holy Land.
For the first time in history Jerusa-
lem and the entire surrounding
country had tie services cf mod
ern, fully equipped medical organi-
zation. Furthermore, the unit
brought large stores of drugs and
hospital supplies, and particularly
big quantities of quinine. Of all Of
these the country had. during the
war, been completely drained; in
fact, even where a doctor was avail
able the medical agencies-hospitals
and dispensaries--were, for lack OF
drugs and lirers, crippled, If not
completely closed.
The work of the American Zionist
Medical Unit is acclaimed by all sec
tions Of the population. Its min
istrations were highly praised by
Great Britain's High Commissioner
for Palestine, Mr.. Herbert Samuel,
when / had the pleasure Of dis
cussing with him general Palestinian
conditions.