New-York tribune., 1921-10-23
Ziionisrn Envisaged in Its
Relation to World Affairs
Horace NJ. Kallen Shows How Movement for
Jewish National State Was Stimulated
by War Developments

pressed the more fortunately situated
Jewish communities In tho light Of a
moral obligation.
In the United States the Zionist or.
gsnization gained In prcstigs and in
executive ability by the adheaion OF
such national figures as Justice Louis
d. Brandcis. With the outbreak of the
war It was In a position to make an
important practical contribution to the
triumph Of the Zionist cause.
Finally the British government came
TO look with favor upon the creation of
Jewish national state. partly, no
doubt, from humanitarian motives and
also because Palestine was a bulwark
for the Sues Canal and a new link In
tho elaborate chain Of defenses fer
India.
Consequently the famous Balfour
declaration, indorsing the creation Of
the new Jewish state, was issued on
behalf of the British government on
November Q, 1917. Its execution was
made possible by. the complete victory
OF the Allies, arid. after period Of
doubt and hesitation. the aspirations Of
tho Zsonists were measurably gratifled
in the Treaty OF San Reno.
OF course. much work rsmaaus to be
done In Palestine. Friction With the
local Arab and Syrian population must
be adjusted, the dispute with Franco
over the sllocation Of the headwaters
OF the Jordan has not been definitely
settled; the mere task Of transforming
Palestine from backward barren agri-
cultural region into an industrial COM
munity capable Of supporting millions
Of immigrants requires large and In
telligent expenditure Of money and
labor. So Gar. as the author candidly
admits, the Jewish settlers in Palestine
have generally displayed moro reli-
gious zeal than practical ability.
But ss least the cornerstone Of enc
future Zionist edifce has been laid.
And Dr.. Ksllen believes that this ia an
event Of profound and hopeful signitl-
cance for the Jewish race. He feels
that the Jew has too long been COM
pelled TO choose between the unwel-
como alternatives Of sinking his rich
cultural and spiritual heritage In thor
oughgoing assimilation with tho life Of
the country In which he lives and Of
leading the starved. unhappy existence
Of suspected outcast, man with q
definite racial consciousness but With
out . country
The author gives o very Interesting
account Of the historical entecedents
Of presens-day zionism. He shows how
the hope Of q Messiah who would re-
store the Chosen People illuminated
even the darkest days Of the Diaspora.
Tho idea OF the Zionist state began
TO assume definite form In tho latter
part Of the nineteenth century, largely
as a result Of the untiring efforts Of
Theodore Herxl.
Aside from many minor divergonces
two main currents have always run
through tho movement. The wealthier
Jews Of western Europe have looked
upon Zionism primarily es q means Of
resculng their less fortunate brethren
from political oppression and economic
misery in the backward states Of east
ern Europe. The Russian Jews, on the
other hand, have emphasized the
spiritual implications OF zionism.
They have always insisted that what
they wanted was not an asylum. but a
home, q home in their original native
land.
The Balfour declaration and tho
Treaty Of San Reno more or less
obliterated this difference by concen-
trating the attention of all Zionists
upon the rebuilding Of Palestine. But
the movement Is still not altogether
united. Only recently number Of
the more influential American leaders
withdrew from the American Zionist
organization because Of their disagree
ment with the policies Of the inter-
national Zionist body--policies which
had commanded the support Of the
majority Of the American Zionists.
DR.. Kallen reviews this dispute In a
lengthy footnote. He tries very hard
to be fair, although his own sympa-
thiee are clearly with the seceders.
Aside from Its outline Of the es-
sentiaI facts Of Zionist history DR.
Kallen's work is especially valuable
because 1t gives 8 clear valuation of
the psychological factors inherent In
Zionism and places the movement in
proper relation to the most important
contemporary political currents.