The Maccabaean

dising and, in addition, we may surmise, with Jews in Constantinople, who act the part of mediators. Would it not appear that these 200 Jews, who, in certain circumstances, could sell their services to the Turks, might build in this country a dangerous army of spies?"

Naturally the unfortunate Plonski was subjected to a most painful eross-examination. lle was asked no fewer than 155 questions. The proceedings were not wanting in a certain comic element. The accused was asked with what purpose he had undertaken his journey. He replied: “In order to offer up prayer.” In reply to the question as to what noteworthy observations he had made during his brief sojourn in Jerusalem he replied: “I was altogether absorbed in my prayers to God, and had no time to observe anything else,” then added that he intended, in the event of his liberation, to journey again to Jerusalem. To the qnestien as to his purpose he replied: “In order to die there!” Question: “When can the advent of the Messiah be expected?’ Answer: “The time of the advent is not decided, but it can take place at any moment.” Question: “Is the time near for the reunion of all the Jews in’ Palestine®’ Answer: “No definite statement can be made, but

the time cannot be far off now." Question: "By what means do the Jews seek to hasten the arrival of this time?" Answer: "By prayer."

The proceedings did not reveal the existence of a shadow of proof against Plonski, so that the Governor could make out a report to this effect to the Czar. It was, however, characteristic of the incapability of the Russian autocrat that the Grand Duke dared not release Plonski without the express authority of the Czar. This authority does not appear to have been given him; in any case, Plonski died in prison shortly after his arrest.

This story, which we have taken from an essay by the eelebrated Polish historian, Simon Aschkenasi, is a grotesque tragi-comedy. The Governor of a mighty Uzar takes fright at a couple of infirm pılgrims, who had just sufficient strength to survive a Journey to Palestine. A whole officialdom is called into existenee and for months oceupies itself with the family letters of pious pligrims. The documents of this affair occupy whole folios, and the Czar, who had defied a Napoleon, is himself profoundly engrossed in the problem of the “Confederacy.” That is the Russian poliey towards Jews.

COMRADES:

Let me make this brief appeal to you in the name of the Central Committee of the International Zionist Organization.

To you Zionists I need not explain the importance and significance of the moment our race is passing through. In the days of peace you proved how deeply you appreciated the keenness of the Jewish problem; now, in the days of universal war, you cannot but feel the magnitude of the last catastrophe which has overtaken us.

By the works you have accomplished, by the burning courage of your attempts, you have proven yourselves men “last in the ranks of slavery, foremost in the vanguard of liberation ;” you have proven that on you the loftiness of the Zionist aim is not lost, and that the compelling obligation which Zionism imposes on every supporter has found you ready with a response.

The achievements of the American Zionists during the past eight months have created a unique opportunity for furthering our ideal, and this in face of the fact that the whole of our outlook was suddenly threatened by an unparalleled danger. The shadow of this danger still darkens the Jewish hope, but Zionists will continue in the steady and undaunted fulfillment of their duties.

In the ranks of our opponents a host of prophets have suddenly emerged to point to the impending destruction of the whole of our work. But they have forgotten that the greatest Zionist accomplishment of the last decade cannot be destroyed. No catastrophe can ever overwhelm either the awakened will of a people to liberty or its rebirth to a national language. Our colonies may perish, our cities and our schools. These are passing through a critical test, but we have ground for hoping that the storm will pass them by and that our pioneers will bring to their new efforts a redoubled courage and energy.

When the modern world, in her policies, often associates the future of Palestine with the future of the Jewish race, this is a tribute to the intense activity which our ideal has evidenced in every domain of human development. Our pioneers gave the whole world proof positive that we are still fitted for creative work, that in us still resides the power to work out a normal future for ourselves.

There is no enemy of Zionism who can take away from us these achievements.

In one respect, we Zionists have not fully met our task: that relates to our inner organization.

Our ideal has met with a swift and growing response in the Jewish race. On every side their sympathy has gone out to the Zionist outlook. The voice of the young generation makes itself heard clearly, and more clearly, from day to day; daily rising men of culture and genius are returning to the national ranks.

But sympathy and response have a value only insomuch as they are expressed in an organization.

We will convince ourselves and prove to the world that, as an organized body, we are progressing steadily and that no accidental storm can stay our development.

The unity of our organization is in the Shekel!

The Shekel-payer is the cell of our Zionist organism.

Every new Shekel-payer is a gain to the Zionist organization.

The measure of our power, internally and externally, is in direct proportion to the sum total of our Shekel-payers.

Fellow Zionists! Give yourselves up to this task. Do not look upon it as upon something trivial; realize its import and commence your work.

Three-quarters of our race live in the countries at war. There our brothers are face to face with immediate personal problems of life and death. They must care for the weak and aged, for the women and children.

The time has come when you, settled in a land at peace with the world, may show the measure of your devotion to the Zionist ideal.

Collect Shekels—enroll new Zionists!

Let every one of you exert every effort; let every one of you sacrifice part of his leisure to the fulfillment of this duty.

Go to the Jewish masses; go to the individual Jew. Tell them of the work we have done until now. Tell them of what our pioneers have suffered that they might lay the foundation of the future of our race. Demand of them that they enroll in our organization. Tell them we are strong in our faith, steadfast in our hope; that we have forces still latent which will spring into the foremost ranks of our movement. Tell them tliat the Jewish race is calling them—for our work belongs not to the individual, but to the nation.

Go colleet Shekels, discover new Shekel-payers! At first glance there seems to be little enough of the heroie in work of this description. But it is well for the Zionist who understands the full sienificance of the work of the organization, who draws new units into the organization. He is our free mason.

Let every one of us seek out someone who has not yet joined our movement; he will become part of us and will, in his turn, go forth in a similar search, till we shall find ourselves bound into one army, linked together indissolubly, mighty in the furtherance of our ideal.

We must go forward! We must approach ever nearer and nearer our ideal.

Zionists! Collect Shekels! Enroll new Zionists!

In the name of the Inner Actions Committee of the International Zionist Organization.