Oldnewland*
Book IV
THE PASSOVER
CHAPTER II.
THE service was resumed. When the recital of the Hagadah ended, the company retired to the salon, where the phonograph with Joe's record had been placed on the table. It was the well-known apparatus, improved slightly so that the cylinders replaced each other automatically; and no interruptions, therefore, occurred in the speeches. A simple pressure of the lever stopped the apparatus whenever necessary.
They seated themselves on easy chairs and sofas. David set himself at the table, put the trumpet toward the listeners, pressed a small knob and said, "Our friend, Joe Levy, is recognized."
A gurgling sound came from the phonograph, and then a powerful man's voice was heard.
"Ladies and Gentlemen: I wish to report to you on the new migration of the Jews. It was a very simple thing. I think too much has been made of it. I had nothing to do with the political preparations, thank goodness. I am no politician, never was one and will not be one. I had my duty and performed it.
"Our organization was founded with the title of the New Corporation for the Colonization of Palestine. It negotiated a settlement with the Turkish Government. The conditions are well known everywhere. When, before the signing of the charter, I was asked whether in my opinion, we could pay the large sums which would be due to the Turkish Government, I said unconditionally 'yes.'
"At the signing of the charter we had to give the Turkish Government two million pounds sterling. To this we had to add fifty thousand pounds sterling for thirty years and one-quarter of the profits of the Corporation for the Colonization of Palestine. We undertook to make over to the Turkish Government at the end of thirty years one-half of the annual profits of the new corporation, unless the Turkish Government agreed to drop its regular claim ten years previously in favor of a half share in the profits. The Turkish Government must let us know its decision on that point at the end of the twenty-seventh trading year. You may be sure that the Government would rather have half the profits of the corporation because that will be to its advantage. On these financial terms we were granted the government of the country, the Sultain remaining over-lord.
"Now, I will submit that these were very large money orders and there were anxious doubts as to whether the new corporation could carry them out.