There is no reason why separate trading and other companies, for the purpose of promoting business and for the erection of public works, should not be formed under the auspices of the Chovevi Zion, to which the latter may grant some portion of its privileges in certain localities and for certain purposes. For to construct railways or factories, or to establish a line of steamers, would go beyond the scope of the association, which must not and cannot be a commercial speculation. Every legitimate form of agriculture, trade, commerce and business generally should, however, be encouraged by the association, on condition that such private speculations serve to open up the country, and to promote the interests of the Jewish colonists as well as those of the promoters, and are carried on under rules laid down hv the association.
The above programme is of course subject to the many alterations which wiser counsels and further experience must inevitably dictate. It presumes only to lay down the general lines of the work of Chovevi Zion. But in conclusion, the undersigned point out that the first and most urgent need, without which nothing can be done, is money.
Providing that a reliable guarantee for the safety of life and property can be obtained, I heartily approve of this proposal to colonize Palestine. SAMUEL MONTAGU.
PRIZE ESSAYS
We recently invited the members of the Junior Branch of the Dorshei Zion of Brooklyn to compete for a prize by writing a brief essay on the Zionist movement. Seven boys entered for the prize and the editor awards it to
JACOB ROSENBERG,196 Boerum street,Brooklyn, N. Y.
to whom a check has been sent.
All the essays betrayed the fact that the youthful minds of the writers had been considerably impressed by the scandalous assault on the funeral procession of the late Rabbi Jacob Josephs. Some of the historical facts read very quaintly, but all knew that the movement swerves round the international congress.
Having occasion to visit the Orphanage of the Hebrew Sheltering Guardian Society, the editor invited the boys and girls of the upper standard to compete for two prizes for the best essay for and the best essay against the Zionist movement. The Rev. J. Goldstein, in forwarding us the thirteen essays prepared, seven by girls and six by boys, added: "I am convinced that the essays submitted are entirely original." On inspection it was found that nine of the competitors had written against the movement and four in favor of it.
All the four essays pro make mention of the religious question, and two of the papers are
both so excellently written that we must perforce divide the prize between
The religious issue is to the fore in these papers, which says considerable for the training of the children, and we are tempted to quote the following from Hoffman's paper:
"We are gradually forgetting our customs and dropping our special holy days; therefore every year which we let pass means another stone added to a mighty barrier which is gradually separating the Hebrew race from its religion.
"In history we are informed that one of the most dangerous enemies our forefathers had to contend against while in Palestine was the influence which the idolatrous nations surrounding them exercised on the Jews and which made them forget their God and worship their idols.
"This is easily proved by the Jew at the present time, especially in a free country like this—he forgets all about his God and religion and instead worships riches.
"At present the word Jew, or Hebrew, is used as a synonym for fifth and dishonesty, but on the other hand, if we unite and show to the world our true attainments and virtues the meaning of the word Jew would change from everything low to everything that is pure, noble and holy, and we could joyfully say with Bryant: