The Denver Jewish news., 1923-08-09

good reasons for propitiating Jews in
that year. just as the Allies had in
1917. So the Jewish settlement of Pal
estine began. From that day onward
it has proceeded slowly. but steadily.
The land available was not Of the
hest. Prejudices and fears had to be
negotiated. Anything in the nature of
wholesale appropriation of Arab culti-
vators. even for cash, had to be care
fully avoided. The Jews were. there
fore. often driven to settle on barren
sand dunes and malarinl swamps.
Everywhere the Jew cultivator pr
duccs heavier and richer crops than l,is
Arab neighbcr. He has introduced i'll
to Palestine more scientific methods of
cultivation. and his example is prod,ic-
ing beneficent effect on the Grade
tillagc OF the Arab peasant. 1t will be
land with milk and honey. The effects
of the neglect and misrule of centuries
cannot be effaaced by the issue of de-
caratiOn.
Needs Protection Of Trees
The cutting down of trees has left
the soil unprotected against heavy
rains. and stretches which were once
green with vineyards and olive grow
es have been swept bare.
Terraces which ages OF patient in
dustry built up have been destroyed by
few generations of Turkish stup-
idity. They cannot he restored in
single generation. Great irrigation
works must be constructed If the set
tlement is to proceed on satisfactory
scale.
I, Palestine possesses in some respects
advantage for the modern settler which.
to it's ancient inhabitants. were de-
trimcnt.
Its one great river. with its two
tributaries, Is rapid and has great
fall. sFOr power this is admirable.
Whether for irrigation or for the set
ting up of new Industries. this gift of
nature Of Palestine is capable Of ex-
ploitaticn impossible before the ssien-
'tifc discoveries Of the last century.
The tablclnnd of Judea has Il rain
fall. which. II caught in reservoirs at
appropriate centres, would make of the
desert of Judea" a garden. If this
is done. Arab and Jew alike would
shnre in the prosperity.
There are few countries on earth
which have made less of their posi-
bilities. Take its special attractions
for tourists. i was amazed to find
that visitors to Palestine In the whole
course of year only aggregate To-
900. 1t contains the most famous
shrines in the world.
Its history is of absorbing interest
to the richest peoples on earth. and
is better taught to their children than
even that Of their own country. Some
If its smallest villages are better known
to countless millions than many pros
perous modern city.
Hundreds of thousands ought to he
visiting this sacred land every year.
Why are they not doing so?
The answer is-Turkish misrule sa
cred away the pilgrims.
Those who went there came back dis
illusiOned and disappointed. The mod
ern "spies." on their return. did not
larry with them luscious grapes of
Escol to thrill the multitude with de-
sire to follow their example. They
brought home depressing tales of
,,,,,In, ,l;eoo,nfort nd oxantiOu which
lfspelled the glamor and discouraged
further pilgrimages.
The settled government gives the
Holy Land its first chance for 1900
-ears. But there is so much undcvelop-
ID country demanding the attention of
civilization that Palestine will lose that
| chance unless it is made the special
charge of some powerful influence. The
| Jews alone can redeem it from the
wilderness and restore its ancient glory.
| In that trust there is no injustice
| 20 any other race. The Arabs have
neither the means. the energy nor the
ambition to discharge this duty. The
British Empire has too many burdens
| on ITS shoulders TO carry tiiS eNPeri-
ment through successfully. The jew
| ish race, with its genius. its resource
fulness. it's tenacity and not least. its
wealth. can alone perform this essen
| tial task.
The Balfour declaration is not an
"xpropriating hut an enabling clause.
Vt is only n charter of equality for
Tews. Here are its terms: