Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1944-03-27
Letters to The Star
Letter About Zionist Colonies
Brings Reply From Chairman.
To the Editor Of The Star:

Brings Reply From Chairman.
To the Editor Of The Star:
William T.. Ellis, in The Star Of March
8, claims not to have found synagogues
in the Jewish colonies in Palestine and
says that so of the Zionist colonies are
communistic.
The pioneering of the Jew in his
ancient homeland is in itself q religious
act. According to the Jewish religion,
If there is no synagogue, the Jew is
permitted to use his home as a house
of worship. 1t may be true that some
colonies have no synagogues, but that is
due primarily to lack of financial re-
sources; however, in Tel-Aviv, an all
Jewish city, the Sabbath is rigidly OBJ
served.
Mr. Ellis writes that out of the colonies
he visited, so ARE completely and avow-
edly Communist" With this familiar
communistic specter, he hopes to aoen-
ate American sympathy for the Zionist
cause. It may be interesting to note
the methods used in the establishment
OF colonies in Palestine.
There are approximately 300 Jewish
colonies in that country. Three ex-
perimental methods have been followed
in their establishment, depending upon
the means and the character of the
colonists, as follows:
Cd A number of these colonies are
capitalistic and operated on a profit
basis. Those Jews who come to Pales-
tine with capital may buy land, culti-
vate 1t. and employ labor.
% A number of the colonies are
operated on cooperative basis Set
tiers without capital are supplied with
land by the Jewish National Fund. This
land is leased to the colonist for 40
years on nominal yearly rental The
land may be occupied and used by the
settler as long as he stays on it, The
land leased is sufficient for the main
tenance of the settler and his family.
He cannot employ outside labor The
Palestine Foundation Fund supplies such
settlers with the necessary equipment,
which Is repaid in small annual pay
ments. The product of his toll belongs
to the individual settler, but the finances
and the marketing are handled on a
cooperative basis.
I'd There are a number of collective
colonies. These colonies are financed
by the funds mentioned above but are
cooperative in that the land and equip
ment are granted to group of settlers.
The individual settler is assigned his
work. The colony provides him with
the necessities of life. There is a COM
mon kitchen, dining room, nursery, etc.,
but the home belongs to him.
All these methods of colonization have
proved successful. If the collective eff
fort In the establishment of some of
these colonies causes Mr. Ellis to fear the
specter OF Communism, then the COL
!ective effort Of many farmers who fol-
low the same general pattern in this
country also is communlstic.
The aim of zionis1n is to establish a
legally secured home for the Jews in
faiestlne, sanctioned by international
law. The remnants of the Jews who
Will survive Hitlers determination policy
Will be IN need of home. According
10 Mr.. Ellis version of Palestine's linn
lted absorptive capacity, that country
will still be able to absorb hundreds of
thousands OF these Jews. The relation
OF the American Jew to the Jewish
homeland will be as the relation of the
irish American to the Irish Free State.
A word more about the absorptive ca
paclty OF Palestine. Since 1920 that
country has absorbed 100000 people.
~~oA PsAsS capacity Oh country IN
creases through intensive agricultural
and industrial development. Why not
leave this phase of the case to experts
In agricultural and industrial develop
ment? These experts have said that
Palestine can absorb from S to mil
lion people. In substantiating this fact.
reference is made to DR.. Walter G.
Lowdermilk's book, THE Promise of
Palestine" just off the press.
The insinuation of Mr.. Ellis that the
Ilonlsts will drive the Arabs into the
desert is not consistent with the facts.
The truth OF the matter is that the
Arab population in Palestine has in
creased since the Jew has come there
and the Arabs have benefited from the
higher standard of living. 1t is SUBJ
m1tted that there is room in Palestine
Tor all Arabs and Jews who NAV desire
TO live and work in that country.
In the name of justice, Mr.. Ellis de-
mands the prohibition of the further
entry OF Jews into Palestine. In the
name OF justice, we ask: Where shall we
settle the hundreds of thousands of
stateless Jews when the doors of prac-
ideally every country are barred to them?
LOUIS E. SPIEGLER,
Chairman Washington Zionist Ener-
gency Council.