Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-11-25
The Future Of Palestine.


1t was not to be expected that q
movement with the idealism behind It
which bulwarks the Jewish national
home project, would be checked or
discouraged by last Summers disorders
| in the Holy Land. Last nights meet
ing OF American Jewish leaders in
Washington seems to make certain that,
In addition TO sentimental determine
ton, more practical sinews of war are
to be devoted to the realization of the
Zionist goal. AN American business
corporation" to be literally endowed
with funds and practically managed,
will presently be organized with q
view to the further economic develop
ment of Palestine"
BY a somewhat tragic coincidence
this announcement parallels the days
latest news from Jerusalem. Yesterday.
at almos. the same hour spokesman Of
to intensity their efforts, Norman de
Mattos Eentwich, attorney general OF
Palestine, the only Jew holding high
official post in the country, was shot
and dangerously wounded In the gov
eminent offices by young Arab
employee of the police and prison de-
partment. The motive for the .attack
is not disguised. The Arab Executive
Council in Jerusalem recently demanded
the attorney generals removal from
office because of his vigorous prosecu-
ton of cases arising out OF the August
anti-Jewish riots. Two weeks ago an
other prominent Palestinian Jew. DR..
Ticho. YVES all but murdered in the
streets OF Jerusalem. The Associated
Press reports a theory" that Attorney
General Bentwich's assailant was the
tool of a terrorist group bent upon
Kidding Palestine of all Jews in high
places.
Those who yesterday in Washington
paved the way for American Jews to
renew their faith in the future OF
zionism are, of course, wholly aware
of the bitter racial conflict which
smolders in Palestine like a sullen We
suvius, ready with little provocation, or
none AT all. to erupt with calamitous
results. The history of the Jews
throughout the centuries is the history
of race carrying on" in the teeth of
obstacles which less tenacious people
might find both heart-breaking and in
surmountable.
There Is thus the quiet dignity, the
unsuitable resolve, Of the Hebrew
patriarchs in the preamble of the Wash
ington Zionist resolution. This con-
ference is of the Arm belief" it says,
that funds may be invested in Pales-
tine on a business basis, and the con-
ference has received reports indicating
the practical possibility and need for
increasing the amount Of such invest
ments.' In other words, it is not
charity which Is asked for Palestine. It
is investments" which are sought. Re-
sponsible American Jewish representa-
tives call upon their coreligionists Of
Zionist sympathies to have unalloyed
confidence in the National Homes pos
sibilities and TO come to its aid in a
spirit of practical idealism.
Perhaps-it would almost seem in
evitable-men like Associate Justice
Brandeis, Felix NJ. Warburg, DR.. Lee
K. Frankel and Bernard Flexner, who
spoke in Washington last evening,
have assured themselves that late
sanguinary events in Palestine were but
flashes in the pan. Perhaps they are
in possession of facts which guarantee
a more rigorous suppression of racial
animosities by the British mandate au-
thorities than has hitherto been wit
messed. In face Of all that has gone
before, Justice Brandeis declared his
conviction that q group of American
business men of proven ability and
loyalty to the Jewish cause can, CO.
operating under Mr.. Warburg, assure a
Jewish Palestine"