myself hope will become a factor of still greater importance in the future developement of our world-wide organization. We also trust that this enthusiasm will induce an even larger number of delegates to attend the Vienna Congress in September than were present at the last Congress in Basle.
With heartiest wishes for the success of your Convention, I am,
With Zion's Greetings,Faithfully yours,(Signed) O. WARBURG.
From M. Bodenheimer
Please accept my best thanks for your kind invitation to your 16th Annual Conference in Cincinnati. I hope your negotiations will prove successful.
At the same time I take the liberty of requesting the attention and support of your conference for the following matter:
In addition to the chief object of the N. F. to bring the land of our fathers into Jewish possession directly and by its branch societies, latterly the problem of Jewish labor has come into prominence. The conviction: comes more and more to the front that only the land can be considered as our national property which appears to be assured by Jewish labor. As in other directions the N.F. also in the solution of this question has considered it its duty to do pioneer work. It did this, first by founding the societies in Benschemen, Dagania and Merchawja which have the object of educating destitute town proletarians for agriculture and to settle them on a modern basis. Secondly, by undertaking to settle the Yemenite Jews, suffering in the most terrible of all Golus countries, by degrees in Palestine.
Unfortunately I must state that both undertakings of the National Fund, the Settlement Societies and the workmen's homesteads have not yet found that support in the U.S.A. which one was justified in awaiting just from that country. For the movement introduced a few years ago with the assistance of Dr.Franz Oppenheimer, America has scarcely contributed the tenth part of what has been raised in Germany for this purpose. As the means raised in consequence of the failing of the over-sea countries, are not sufficient for the societies,
we propose the repetition of the movement for the Settlement Society, perhaps by sending a prominent person towards the end of this year. I would beg your Conference now to take up a position with regard to this matter, and to bear in mind an energetic movement for the sale of the share certificates and cooperative shares of the Settlement Society.
Re the Yemenite matter it was reported us that the American Federation had proposed to raise at least $50,000. To our regret however up to date from America only about 13 dwelling donations have been received, while from Russia ce. g. where just now circumstances are extremely difficult , from 3 towns alone 40 dwellings have been partly sent and partly advised in the last few days. Also from Austra from the communities, B’nai B’rith Lodges etc., more than double so many dwellings have already been contributed as from the US A
When you consider that 250 families can not only be delivered, with the relatively small amount of $50,000, from terrible persecutions, but also at the same time can be happily settled in Palestine, you will, I hope, find the energy to realize your resolution to raise $50,000 as soon as possible.
I should be happy if your Conference would form the starting point for a great propaganda for our Societies as well as for the Yemenites. In the Cooperative Settlement Society the solution of a national social problem is at stake, the results of which are awaited also by many prominent non-Jews outside Palestine with great interest. In the case of the Yemenites a valuable Jewish stock of 30,000 souls is to be saved from extinction and at the same time to give an extraordinary consolidation to our work of colonization.
I hope in both cases you will do your duty with joy.
Believe me, with best Zion's greetings, Yours sincerely, (Signed) M. BODENHEIMER.
From Dr. A. Ruppin
DEAR COMRADES:
The imminent conclusion of peace between Turkey and the Balkan States will bring in its train important consequences for the economic development of Turkey