A Zionist Scheme
SIR SAMUEL MONTAGU'S PALESTINEAN PROJECT
N 1892, Sir Samuel Montagu, then plain Mr. Montagu, M.P., for Whitechapel, assisted by Rev. S. Singer, convened a mass meeting at the Great Assembly Hall, in the East End of London, for the purpose of petitioning the Sultan of Turkey in favor of Jewish settlement in Palestine. In a previous issue of THE MACCABÆAN, the story of that meeting was detailed.* We now publish the scheme prepared and approved by Sir Samuel Montagu for such a return as was then projected. The document was originally printed “for private circulation only,” but sufficient water has since flown under the Basle Bridge to warrant us giving a more extensive circulation to a scheme which never went beyond the stage of enthusiasm.
The scheme is, of course, open to comment, but we publish it because, beyond its interest as a detailed plan, it is significant of the attitude of Sir Samuel Montagu ten years ago.
Chovevi Zion
PROGRAMME OF PRACTICAL WORK
INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Although the object of this Society is, among others, declared to be the colonization of Palestine by Jews, it must be very clearly understood that it is not the object of the Society to discourage the colonization, by the Jews, of any other country.
On the contrary. It was found by the undersigned that the tendency of Polish and Russian Jews toward the Holy Land was great, and their anxiety to return there overwhelming; that unless some active steps were taken by men able to influence the masses, a wholesale rush to Palestine would probably ensue, with the inevitable result of frightful distress, and possibly famine and disease, among the immigrants. It would have been impolitic and impossible to put an entire stop to this movement. It was at once felt that it would be far more beneficial and much more likely to conduce to the ultimate prosperity of the exiles, if the tide were guided into proper channels, rather than a hopeless effort made to stop it altogether. But, while anxious to promote the immigration into Palestine of such Jews as are likely to prove satisfactory colonists, and not to become a permanent burden on the European portion of the community, the committee appointed to conduct the affairs of Chovevi Zion ("The Lovers of Zion") feel it necessary at this early stage, once and for all, to point out that they are desirous only to find homes for a portion of the many Jews driven out of Russia, and do not for a moment entertain the absurd idea that such homes can be found in sufficient number in Palestine.
If the Holy Land can, within the next few years, receive from 50,000 to 100,000 Jewish colonists, it will be as much as they can possibly expect even with pecuniary assistance on a substantial scale. Without such assistance nothing serious can be done. It is unfortunately too probable that the fearful persecutions in Russia will cause many more than the above number to wander forth in search of safety, and Palestine is only 'one of many places where these unfortunate people may possibly find an ultimate resting place.
* Vol. I. Page 113.