Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1921-03-16
Hon. Oscar Straus Speaks on
Restoration Of Jews in
Palestine.

last night enjoyed talk from Hon.
Oscar Straus on the subject of the
restoration of Palestine to the Jews
as their national home, that gave a
clear and Illuminating insight into the
ideals of the Zionist movement, and
of what it's accomplishment will mean
to the world at large, as well as to the
Jewish race.
He began his talk by speaking OF
the coming of the Pilgrim Fathers to
America; of the desire for religious
and national freedom, that brought
them here, and of the analogy be-
tween their spirit and that of the Zion
ists,who seek religious and national
freedom in a land that will be their
own.
The Pilgrim Fathers, said the speak
er, founded democratic and nation
al home here, but this did not inter-
fere with the rights of others who
wished to remain in their own coun-
tries; and so, to establish a national
home in Palestine, will be to establish
a national home only, for those who
desire to go there, and especially for
those not enjoying political and rell-
gious freedom in their own countries.
Those who prefer to stay where the
are can remain patriotic citizens
there. This is point often miscon-
strued by both Jews and Gentiles.
Outstanding Features of the War.
The speaker quoted Lord Robert
Cecil who said in a recent address
that the two great outstanding fea-
lures resulting from the war, were
first, the establishment of national
Jewish home in Palestine and second,
the League of Nations.
Why this Importance of so small a
country? Because from this land OF
prophets and seers has come to the
world it's spiritua ! foundation, the
basis of it's law and order; its hopes
and aspirations. From this land has
come the Mother and Daughter OF
all religion-Judaism the mother, and
Christianity the daughter. Unhappily
this mother and daughter have not
always been in accord, but our hearts
interpret more and more the true
spirit of the two religions, they Will
come closer together. For this reason
Zionism appeals to the idealists
among Jews and Christians.
An Uneonquerable Spirit.
Mr.. Straus went on to say that
though this land of Palestine has been
deyasted by Greece, Rome, Babylon
and Turkey, and the Jewish nation
scattered to the four corners Of the
globe, yet only the land has been
conquered, but never the spirit of the
Jewish people. Still, wherever they
the scattered they preserve the spirit
and ideals of their religion.
Lord Arthur Balfour made an
epoch making declaration in stating
that England viewed with favor the
establishment in Palestine of ma
tional home for the Jewish people,
and promising assistance in this es-
tablishment, wherever it does not in
terfere with the rights of the non
Jewish residents of Palestine.
For centuries Palestine was the ma
tional home of the Jews, but even
then many lived in other countries,
sonow, among the fourteen million
Jews in the world, many may desire
to remain where they are, and wher-
ever they are, they have full chance
to display their idealism.
Israel has given the worlds its
ideal of the unity of God, the broth
erhood of man, the principles of So
cial justice, the ideals of democracy,
and the hope of international peace.
What the Restoration means.
The restoration to the Jews of Pal
estine as a national home will bring
there people from all parts of the
world, who will prove blessing to
the entire country. General Allenby,
when in Palestine said that prophecies
were being fulfilled before his very
eyes and being transformed into his
tory.
Mr.. Straus told of the founding Of
the Agricultural College in Palestine
fifteen years ago, by Aaron Aronson,
who made the great discovery of the