The Denver Jewish news., 1925-09-17
The Rothschild Muth
Exploded


rah Journal, which has just appeared,
A. l.. Sachar, professor Of history at
the University Of Illinois, exposes the
famous story OF Nathan Rothschild's
ride from Waterloo to London as n
myth. In his article, "The Romance
Of the Rothschilds," he also presents
entirely new material on the history
of the Rochschild family, whose ca.
reer forms one of the most intriguing
episodes in international commerce.
The story goes that the great finan-
cier was present at the battle of Wa
terloo II was his crisis as well as
England's, for he had staked all his
wealth and the wealth of his family
on the ultimate defeat of Napoleon.
As soon as the French were driven
from the field Of battle, Nathan began
mad dash for the Belgian coast, in
furious effort to reach London. The
legend further continues that he was
in London in the morning before any
tidings of the battle had been re-
ceived, and was thus able to give in
structions to his secret agents before
the days speculation began.
The Stock Exchange is supposed to
have been in a panic, due to rumor
that had reached London that Well
ington had been defeated. The melo-
drama continues until the story ends
with Rothschild making millions on
the market by taking advantage of
the ignorance of amateur investors.
Professor Sachar evaluates the
story as good material for great
modern epic poem, but cannot con.
slider it as history. He proves
through chronological deduction that
the news of Napoleon's defeat
reached London before Rothschild
did. In fact, Rothschild was in Lon
don all the time. His couriers ar
rived with the news of the victory
| about an hour before the government
couriers. He went at once to the
prime minister and put him out Of
his nerve-racking anxiety by giving
| him the welcome intelligence.
In the same issue, Gershon Agron-
sky, well-known American journal
ist, considered an authority on Near
Eastern affairs, cusses and analyses
"Sir Herbert Samuel's Administra-
tion." One of the most interesting
sections of this important article is
Agronsky's reaction to Field Marshal
Plumer, and his attitude to the new
high commissioner for Palestine. At
this period, when the fate of Palestine
is one of the most engrossing topics
on Jewish tongues, the intentions Of
Palestine's chief executive are of the
intensest interest.
ANY prediction on future develop
ment in Palestine under the new high
commissioner is risky, unless it is
based on the experiences of the last
five years. In all likelihood, the poll
cy of the Palestine administration un-
der Samuel will be the policy of the
administration under Plumer. This
policy is intertwined with the Jewish
National Home. 1t is factor that
must be considered whether it i S
looked up to as the lodestar of Bri.
tish policy, as it is by pro-Zionist
Englishmen, or as a milestone around
their neck, as it is glared down on
by anti-Zionist Englishmen. This
policy has aimed to help the Jews ere
ate national home in Palestine. The
Jews were lucky when they were not
hampered by the authorities. They
might be hampered at any time it ap-
peared to any British official that the
Jews home was making the Arabs
home less comfortable. If the Jews
were allowed to reach by their own
efforts the present stage in the build !
ing of their homeland, it may be TAX
en- that nothing that has been done
SO far has in the least prejudiced "the
civil and religious rights of existing
non-Jewish communities in Palestine.
The contrary must be true, that |
never were the rights of the Arabs
more jealously guarded"
Kaufman Kohler, president emeri-
tus of the Hebrew Union College,
contributes an essay to The Menorah |
Journal on "The Founders of the
l Synagog,' in which he chronicles the
rise of the synagog, and explains its
origin. He describes the innovation
which was decided departure from
the religious practices of the time:
the institution of divine services with
out sacrifices and without priest
hood. His researches throw new
light on the beginning of the synagog,
and alter many views that have been
accepted by most scholars for wears.