The Maccabaean

Nahum Sokolow.

WIE welcome Herr Nahum Sokolow to this country and hope that he will profit by his experiences among us, as much as we anticipate we shall profit from his presence among us. As a literary influence, brilliant essayist and journalist, he has ‚been known to the Jews of this country. His personal presence may intensify the affection and regard every nationalist Jew feels for the man who has done so much to make Hebrew the medium for the expression of Jewish ideas. It is as a Zionist that we greet Herr Sokolow, as a member of the group which is now the administrator of the affairs of our movement. He will find in this country a group of men devoted to our cause, who will tell him of what has been accomplished in the face of great opposition and unfavorable conditions. Over in Europe, our leaders have contracted the habit of finding fault with us because we do not do as much in proportion as other countries have done. They forget that we here have had to deal with a conglomeration of communities undergoing the pangs of a new settlement, that in the midst of the transition, appeals for the support of an ideal, a distant remedy for Jewish problems, were doomed to meet with indifference. That we have been able in the face of such adverse conditions to maintain our position, enlarge our organization, widen the scope of our endeavors and bring to our support elements hitherto antagonistic to our cause, should receive the frank acknowledgement of Berlin, and not the carping complaints so often expressed. Speaking for all our Zionists we wish Herr Sokolow a successful visit!

Reforms in Palestine.

THE news that comes from Constantinople does not emanate from Zionist headquarters, and we therefore give a great

deal of it subjest to the uswal discount that such reports are entitled to. It is reported that Turkey proposes to amend its land laws enabling corporations to hold title to land, and doing away with the complicated and obsolete method so long in vogue. The law also involves giving recognition in Turkey and all its provinces to foreign corporations. We do not know, however, whether the recent large purchase of land in Palestine by the Palestine department of the Zionist organization was recognized by the government as a purchase by a corporation. Furthermore, the recall of the Pasha of Jerusalem, appointed two months ago, and the appointment of a Pasha more friendly to the Jews, is also reported, Connected with all these reports are the persistent rumors in the European press of large loans to be obtained» for Turkey by Jewish financiers. We have no confirmation of any of these reports, and give them for whatever they are worth. It is evident, however, that the present Turkish government is determined not to repeat the mistakes of former administrations of professing to ignore Jewish interests in Palestine.,

The Experiment Station.

Ir is remarkable with what enthusiasm Mr. Aaron Aaronsohn’s discovery of the wild wheat in Palestine has been greeted by scientists and practical agriculturists. The discovery will have a large influence upon the wheat industry in this country. It will bring into active use large tracts of land hitherto worthless for wheat raising owing to the lack of adequate moisture. Of course, our immediate interest is the usefulness of the discovery and of the Jewish Agricultural Station in Palestine’s development. We are glad to note that thus far Mr. Aaronsohn has succeeded in securing financial support that seems sufh-