Evening journal., 1922-05-26

Jewish people awakened TO action
The Back to Palestine movemen
was started. TO be International!
crystallized in Basic twenty-fou
years ago at the first Zionist con
gress. The dream had become 4
deed. though Il still must fight I,
live; 20 survive the deadliest OF wars
BY 1914 there were in Palestine
fifty Jewish colonies. with q popula.
ton OF more than IS. 900 free far
mers. They owned 10000 acres oi
land. and had schools. colleges and
experiment stations. Then came the
flood OF blood which drenched halt
the world with death. And when
the tide OF horrors was at its height
in November. 1s17-a sunburst OF
hope for the Zlonlsts-Mr. Bslfour's
announcement that his majesty's
government views with favor the es-
tablishment in Palestine OF a ma
tional home for the Jewish people.
and will use their best endeavors 10
facilitate the achievement OF this
object. ."
None can forget with what feel
ings the Christian world welcomed
the news OF Allenby's entry into
Jerusalem. the conquest OF which
had been brought TO pass with the
help OF a Jewish legion OF troops.
At last the path seemed clear. Now
the stage Is set for the triumphal act
in this dream drama OF centuries.
1T is the supreme moment In our
history" says the plea that has gone
out 10 arouse interest in the Pales-
tine Foundation-a fund OF millions
which American Jews and their
friends are raising these last two
weeks OF May. To-day the eyes OF
the living and the dead are upon US
VIII the Jewish people. unexampled
heroes in exile. know how TO re-
spond TO the call OF liberty?
Tn Eastern and Central Furope
a people uprooted and scattered IL
looking for a land which II can call
its own. A million Jews have taken
up again the wanderers stan. The
roads OF Europe are black again
with the homeless ones. And the
youngest and bravest among them
have turned their eyes toward Paies-
tine. All that Is freshest and strong
est in our ancient people strains
again toward the east.
To open the door OF the old home
land to these homeless people; to
re-estsblish Israel among the ma
tions. the Zionists OF America are
making this drive for the neces-
sary funds.
Only 10 per cent OF the soil OF
Palestine IL at present under culti-
ratioh-a cultivation which Is large.
" primitive in It's methods and cor
respondingly meager In its yield
Two thousand years ago the now
barren hillsides, marshes and dunes
we're rich with vegetation. Galilee
was a network OF towns and villages.
The Jordan valley, today fever-rid-
len and deserted. was teeming with
life and labor.
II is, OF course. a romance OF deep
significance. and thoughtful folk
will not be lacking in appreciation
Of this phase. At the same time its
economic appeal IS sufficiently strong
to bestir general interest.
There. on the shore OF that In
land sea, are more than 60 square
miles OF soil that can be made to
support a large part OF the 14.000,-
poo Jews now scattered throughout
he world. The physical pOsslbili-
les are manifold, and these are 10
be taken care OF. Already the lead
RS in the movement have announc-
d that half Of the fund is 10 be ap-
,lied for essential public works and
public services. without which no
,oloniza ton, agricultural or indus
rial, is possible in Palestine. Among
he most important public works Is
The naked hillsides'
he sand dunes and the marshes can
md must be transformed into for
,sts. This will lead TO the conserva-
ion OF the rainfall. the preservation
II the soil against erosion and sand
INVASION, and the decrease OF
other activities which come under
his head are those OF general sanl-
alton, which includes the drainage
4 marshes: the conservation OF the
yater resources through the canaliz-
tion OF rivers and a system OF reser-
oirs, clsterns and wells. road build |
ng and the construction OF workers F.
ouses.
In brief, the aim Is not merely TO .
evive the Israel OF Palestine, but to b
make this new nation a model OF /
modern progress in the midst OF .
copies who have blindly stood In
he way OF social and economic ad- /
ance and remained a menace to /
This enterprise is not the con-
ern Of the Jews only" said Samuel
in an address to the
workers who are seek
lg 100000 by May 80 The
-orld is watching us and asking.
ire the Jews going 10 realize the
reat opportunity that has come to
lem after eighteen centuries OF
-aiting? Are they going to show
possessed OF the qualities
eeded at this crisis OF their his
'ry7" The world is not Indifferent
this movement"
The world cannot be Indifferent to
lything that concerns the Welfare
the Jews. To them II owes an
iormous debt for laws and litera-
re, ideals and ndustry-above all,
II the Deistic cornerstone OF the
ith to which the marching feet OF
have kept time.
This backto- Palestine project Is
1t solely the concern OF a people
no for 1000 years have held II In
eir hearts. II also has TO do with
imam progress. and as such its ap-
'al should extend beyond racial
les.
ere: President, DR.. II. Melvin AL