The News From Zion
(From Our Correspondent.)
JAFFA, October 30.—The Local Government authorities are complaining of the alleged disloyal attitude of our Zionist and literary friends living in Jaffa and the Colonies. And they are, it seems to me, justified in their complaints.
Due ee There is a law forbidding the staging of dramas without the government’s permission, and this law is repeatediy broken by our friends. On one occasion they make a false decelaration that only children were to act before children, and when the Governor sent his representatives they found it untrue, so that the entire gathering had to be dispersed by the police. On another occasion, no permission was asked at all, and after an hour’s acting, the spectators had to leave the so-called theatre in shame. This thoughtless attitude of our friends, and most of them are warm Russian Zionists, is causing much trouble, and we are losing the consideration of the government. Moreover, the Chovevi Zionist representatives and those of the Infurmation Bureau, Dr. Nissin and Mr. Schenkin, are doing nothing to hinder these disgraceful acts. If the government does not allow a performance, there should be no playgoers. If one comes to live in Palestine, he must not yearn for theatres and music halls. We live here in absolute liberty, and are exempt from all taxes and rates. (I mean, as foreign subjects) and we should, on every occasion, show the government how grateful we are for their civility. But it is difhcult, very difhcult, to convince our Russian friends; they care not a jot for the consequences of their obstinate desires.
It is estimated that more than 200 families have left Palestine since Succoth. The conditions here as compared to last year have certainly not improved. There is no more immigration, and those who have remained here can find labor only with great difficulty. The conditions in the towns especially are bad.
There are more shops than buyers, and the pale of settlement has become so congested that high prices rule everything. In Jerusalem a committee has been formed to control the price of flour, and to provide food commodities for the poor at nominal prices.
En VG see (ee Unfortunately, there are many in the Holy City who make capital out of a general depression, by such means as sending out telegrams abroad that people are starving for want of food and water. Of course, such announcements should always be received with caution by our friends abroad, as first, it is far from true, and second if money were sent, it should not be remitted to the senders of such telegrams,
The Society “Achuzath Bahin,” which consists of 60 members, has not yet pitched upon the plot of land required for building its houses. It is thought, however, that a plot ıs to be selected just outside Jaffa northwards, not far from one of the Jewislı quarters called “Neveh Zedek.” This society has obtained from the National Fund a loan of 300,000 francs. The terms are as follows: Ilouses are to cost from five to ten thousand francs. Five hundred to a thousand francs are to be paid now, and the remainder to be paid in instalments during a period of 18 years.
The orange season has now opened. The Society Pardess is now employing several hundred Jewish laborers in the cutting and packing of this fruit. There is a special English line called The Prince Line, that comes regularly to ship them to Liverpool. Petach Tikvah is now the seat of Jewish activity. I mean as far as cultivation is concerned, and this is due to the orange plantations there.
THE FIRST RAINFALL.
It rains! It rains!! And no wonder the first drops of water are hailed with joy and thanksgiving. For over eight months the summer heat had enfeebled our bodies, the