In Palestine To-Day
In the hills of Galilee grows a new generation, possibly the progenitors of a new nation. Once upon a time they were artisans, students, shopkeepers or teachers, meek and pale Ghetto dwellers. They have now, however, found the way back to the soil. Now their health improves continually, the eye is steady and clear, the walk is a long, brisk stride, sure-footed as the leopard—you should see them walk —you should see them work, working behind a heavy plow in the face of a scorching sun with perspiration running freely down their bronzed faces; you should see their guards galloping bareback horses of an evening, with trusty rifle in hand and cartridge belt about the waist, or see their powerful, fully developed bodies when swimming their Arabian stallions in Lake Kinereth, powerful graceful bodies as if of bronze, muscles as if of steel—see them and your Jewish heart will throb with joy.
If only a few years of farm work are sufficient to erase the stamp of two thousand years of shame and servitude, what may we not expect from this race? What will the generation be that is blossoming now into manhood in this Jewish colony?
They are the children of sunshine and freedom, of graceful and proud bodies, of well shaped limbs; their sparkling eyes and rosy faces promise well to belong to the most perfect physical specimens among Jews anywhere.
Born and raised on their own soil, rooted to their own homes, they know no fear and seek no favors.
These young pioneers learn to ride before they are able to walk, and at
an early age are familiar with both the horse and rifle. You can see these tiny tots with their chubby limbs around their horses' necks, galloping through the village streets. In fact, there are boys in the colonies to-day who compete successfully with the Bedouin as horsemen and marksmen.
It matters little if occasionally one becomes a victim of the Arabs' vengeance, for such is the life of border dwellers, and, besides, it teaches the others the need of knowing how to protect and defend themselves—and they are apt pupils.
The homes are simple but of attractive cleanliness and there is no home which does not contain upon its walls, in a conspicuous place, the same picture—that of the uncrowned Jewish king—Theodore Herzl.
From his princely countenance flows an endless stream of inspiration, which accounts for the achievements of recent progress in Palestine.
It is a grand and everlasting testimonial to the noble life and work of Theodore Herzl.
In spite of some drawbacks and economic disadvantages, Palestine is filling up with Jewish settlers. So says Ernest Weakley, special commissioner of the advisory council to the British Board of Trade. His report throws an interesting light on the real fact of Zionism.
In 1897 the Jewish population of Jerusalem was 28,000, but to-day more than double that number of Jews are to be found in the ancient city. They are flocking to the land of their fath-