The Maccabaean

pointing upwards instead of downwards, as were those on the right side. When I inquired about this, I was told that only "one way" locks were to be had in all Palestine.

As to the land.

It is a wonderful country. One, indeed, must marvel when one stops to consider the variety of climate, the variety of the land's topography embraced in this physically small but historically great country. These, by the way, are some of the very few things the Turks were unable to contaminate.

I will never forget the emotion that swept me when I beheld Neth Zionah, the first Jewish colony after leaving the desert. We had seen quite a number of Arab villages, consisting of either mud-holes or dilapidated-looking tents. Then we noticed a clump of trees, from amidst which were seen white houses with red tile roofs. Eagerly, every one inquired, "Who lives there?" And the Palestinian of the company said, "This is the first Jewish colony seen from the Kantarah-Haifa Railroad—this is Neth Zionah."

The most inspiring sight at this point was a group of Jewish children standing about as the train passed. Their cleanliness, chubbiness and vigorous appearance contrasted very sharply with the Arabian children. It reminded you very much of our own American children as compared with Indian papooses.

The Boy Scout movement in Palestine has many adherents. With the exception of their drills and conversation, all of which is carried on in Hebrew, they are no different to the Boy and Girl Scouts in America. Still, there is something distinctive about them. One feels a Jewish atmosphere in all they do. They looked more picturesque on Shaboth Nachmuh, as they lined the streets leading to the Chorva Synagogue, on which occasion they acted as Guard of Honor.

If it is true that the future of a country depends entirely upon its children, its future citizenry, then, indeed, all augurs well for the success of Palestine.

Possibly the greatest hope I found in the Jewish Homeland is the High Commissioner, Sir Herbert Samuel. It was my rare privilege to spend an hour with him at the Government House. He is, as was recently entitled an article about him in THE MACCABAEAN, "the right man in the right place." Thus

far he had been able to accomplish something which was considered till now, an absolute impossibility—that of rallying to his support and gaining the confidence and respect of every element in the country, Christian, Moslem and Jew.

It may be premature to make public my conversation with the High Commissioner. One thing, however, is clear: Great is the task before him and still greater is the responsibility and the duty of American Jewry. If the Jews of America will understand their duty Palestine will again be a land "flowing with milk and honey." And it is very essential that American Jewry know exactly how much Sir Herbert depends upon its support and co-operation.

I know that he considers the strengthening of the Zionist banks, the Jewish Colonial Trust and the Anglo-Palestine Bank, particularly the latter, as essential to a successful development of Palestine. He is also vitally interested in the Hydro-Electric project. At the time I was in Palestine it was common knowledge that British officials, including the High Commissioner, had approved of Pinchus Ruttenberg's design for the Hydro-Electric plant to be erected along the Jordan River, and which, when completed, will generate sufficient electricity to supply light, heat and power for the entire country.

It is no secret that Sir Herbert Samuel is very anxious that at the earliest possible moment a long-term loan and mortgage bank be established. With the opening of the Land Registers, providing an opportunity for the selling and purchasing of land, this bank becomes a matter of prime necessity.

In addition to these very important enterprises there is the Palestinian Government loan. Official announcement has already been made of it. Mr. Samuel is directly responsible for the loan. Until he assumed official duties no one believed an exclusive Palestinian Government loan possible.

The High Commissioner has great faith in American energy, enterprise and enthusiasm, and is most desirous to enlist all of these in the upbuilding of the future Jewish Homeland. His sincerity and great ability, an ability approaching genius, is evident in everything he does. Every act of his thus far has stamped him as the Nehemiah of our time.

My harvest is full, saith the Lord, . I have reaped the fruit of the sword. I planted a vine that was good With sweetness and hardihood, But my children strove for the wine Though the vineyard they tended was mine; Now their wine is their blood.

Their sin is full, saith the Lord,They have reaped its fruit with the sword.The shout of the reapers shall cease,No more shall their harvest increase;The quick shall be still as the dead,For over them all will I spreadMy tabernacle of peace.