THE MACCABAEAN
Published once every month by the Maccabaean Publishing Company, of which M. Lande is President; and D. H. Lieberman is Secretary; the address of those officers is 547 Broadway, New York City. Edited by Louis Lipeky.
EDITORIALS
THE TANNERSVILLE CONVENTION.
First of all, the Zionist societies must be credited with having sent as their representatives delegates who were not only Zionists, but who also understood the problems that confronted the Federation and the movement in general. The Conventions have educated men and women, who now appreciate that fine speeches are only the spice of good work; that exceeding in value contention and thoughtless criticism are constructive deliberations based upon fairness to the leaders of the movement, who bear the brunt of all battles. From every source, this phase of our Convention has been noted.
It is to be regretted that the report on the Ussischkin, Nordau and Warburg letters did not avoid official recognition of differences that are, in essence, tactical and not differences of principle. The Ussischkin program errs on the side of “practicality” ; it does not distinguish between “official” work and individual initiative; but the end is that which is desired by all political Zionists as well. Nordau does not object to individual enterprises in Palestine; he does not criticize an orderly stimulation of such enterprises by the organization; he sees in the Ussischkin program a reckless attempt to bring the entire movement—its oflicial foundations as well as all its energies—into a colonizing and industrial scheme; to this he strenuously interposes an objection, wishing to maintain the organization as the weapon of the Jewish state until it can, by diplomatic measures, gain its international status.
Offense might have been taken at M. Ussischkin's peremptory and officious communication, though in the main agreeing with it; but the Convention should have stated its
position and not committed itself to a "compromise" where there was no "compromise," but to a definite statement of policy.
Nevertheless, the decision not to deplete the National Fund by purchases of land in Palestine—a policy which would at once be valueless and demoralizing—was wisely made, and other resolutions, refraining from expressing opinions on highly technical problems, were also tabled.
With regard to the Federation itself, the zeal and enthusiasm of the delegates in wishing for a larger executive in order to secure the services of more active workers, was indeed enheartening, though the method of securing these additional forces may prove cumbersome and impossible in practice. We have now over forty men who are responsible for the work of the Federation. Whether this scattered responsibility is wise remains to be seen. At least, the central office will have a large corps of workers, from among whom much work may be expected.
A Yiddish weekly, established on a safe basis, is a possibility, thanks to the moderation of those who have hitherto clamored, with persistent recklessness, for a Yiddish publication at once. If Zionists will gather the fund of $5,000, the weekly will appear, with good chances for success. It rests with us to gather the fund, and the sooner it is in hand, the earlier will our long-awaited Yiddish magazine appear.
Tannersville is an ideal place for a convention, but this Convention brought to light many disadvantages which impressed the delegates with the need for a change. If our conventions could be held during the early spring or in winter, we could revert to our old practice of holding the Convention in a large city; but, unfortunately, we are compelled to wait for the vacation season, and a convention in June in a large city offers many disadvantages. It may be possible to secure another resort nearer New York, with better mail, rail and telegraph services, with the same advantages as those enjoyed at Tannersville. At any rate, the Committee on Convention will doubtless give this matter immediate attention.