first Harvest and the Day of the Giving of the Law have become amongst the Orthodox the Feast of Flowers, and amongst others a day for the confirmation of the young. The paradox becomes an anomaly in that the record of the day which unites the Jewish nation to Judaism is often more observed by those who think least of the full meaning of the co-ordination of ideas expressed in the description of Israel "we shall be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation." In the upheavals created by modernity, it becomes necessary for the Zionist to keep clear and distinct the idea, that if there be no nation without spirituality, there is also no attribute of spirituality without the condition of nationhood.
THE MEANING OF A SUB-CHARTER
THE rather heated discussion which took place at the recent Convention in Boston on the question of compulsory sub-charters, is due to the fact that the powers and duties of a Society holding such sub-charter are little understood. The most thorough way of becoming familiar with these powers and duties, is to consult the original charter as passed by the New York Legislature. This can be seen in the so-called Session Laws of New York, Chapter 102 of the Laws of 1902. The volume can be had in the office of any lawyer possessing a good working library.
But in order to allay any exaggerated fear on the subject, we will quote the language of the Charter in reference to affiliated Societies. It is as follows:— "The Corporation, (meaning the Federation), shall have power to grant dispensations or charters to subordinate Societies of the Federation of American Zionists, to suspend and revoke the same for proper causes, according to the regulations, by-laws, rules and constitutions adopted to govern the same, or which may be necessary for the government and promotion of the principles of the said Association, to have supervision over all subordinate bodies."
It will be seen from this that the Federation has no power to interfere with any subordinate Society as long as that Society complies with the rules and regulations of the Federation. These rules and regulations are also, to a large extent, incorporated in the charter, as that document sets forth the objects for which the Federation is formed as follows :— "FIRST :—To foster the national idea of Israel; SECOND :—To co-operate with other Zionist societies in their endeavor to obtain for the Jewish Nation a publicly, legally assured home in Palestine; THIRD :—To unite all Zion-"
the cause of Zionism.Those are in substance the objects of theCharter, and it will be the duty of Societies obtaining sub-charters to promote and propagatethese objects. Surely this platform is broadenough for all Zionists to stand upon.
Not only is the letter of the law not trying to the spirit, but the spirit in which the law will be carried will be that of fellowship and comradeship. We Zionists seek brotherhood, and for its healthy maintenance discipline and order are necessary. That is the Sub-charter in a nutshell.
WHAT DO THEY ?
PRESS dispatches but meagerly tell us of the momentary condition of the Jews in Roumania. What we know is, that the lot of our brethren is sad beyond expression; the so called France of the Balkans has exceeded that Frenchification which was recently associated with the Dreyfus affair. We Zionists are free from remorse in this heart-rending problem; not upon us will be the blame if the exodus that is approaching sends the Roumanian Jewry Westward, over-runing Europe and congesting areas in England and in America already replete with the struggling Jewish populations. We have been in advance of the situation with our plans and advice, wanting only in money and means. The onus of the consequences rests with those who have the means. It is not sufficient to do general good. That which is needed now and will become the more necessary in the future, is politic good; of our magnates and the people of lesser wealth who have open purses and good hearts we are justified in asking in this serious situation, What have ye done, what do ye?
REQUIRED CONCERTED ACTION.
A GROUP of Jewish emigrants from Bacau, in Roumania have sent to “ Die Welt ” a brief but pointed appeal. It reads :
"Jewish brethren! As we can no longer bear the afflictions in which we find ourselves, and as we have before us