PALESTINE AND THE ZIONISTS.
[To THE EDITOR or THE " SPECTA.TOR."1 SIR,—" Zionism is the most stupendous fallacy in Jewish history. I assert that it is wrong in principle, and impossible of realization; that it is unsound in its economics, fantastical in its politics, and sterile in its spiritual ideals." In these scathing words Mr. Henry Morgenthau, the late American Ambassador to Turkey, condemns root and branch the dangerous policy to which, as Lord Curzon said, " Mr. Balfour had committed us." Mr. Morgenthau is one of the leaders of the American Jews who reject the Zionist theories, and his powerful article in the current number of the World's Work should be read by all who wish to understand whither we aro being led by a faction which, as he conclusively proves, is false to Jewish interests. The split in the Zionist movement in America has now been completed by the resignations of many of the more distinguished members of the Convention as a protest against the claims of Dr. Weizmann to dominate the "Inner Actions Council " with the assistance of European Jews and to override the American organization. Henceforth the movement directed to the establishment of a Jewish State in Palestine will be controlled mainly from London and Frankfort. Mr. Morgenthau has visited Palestine and has studied its economic possibilities, which, as he points out, have been grossly exaggerated. His whole article strikingly confirms what I have tried to say in the Nineteenth Century and in the House of Lords. I have since received information which plainly indicates that the situation is menacing, and that Mr. Churchill, in his recent brief trip to the Holy Land, was palpably misled.
Has not the time come to review the declaration which Mr. Morgenthau describes as " a shrewd and cunning delusion," and to mete out tardy justice to the Palestinians for whose welfare we are absolutely responsible? Many lives have been already lost because the Government failed to understand that this declaration, which, as we now know, was inspired only by a section of Jews, is irreconcilable with the solemn pledge made by General Allenby to the Palestinians in November, 1918. Can we continue to use British forces and British treasure to impose upon the rightful owners of the soil conditions which they fear and detest? Turkish rule is frequently held up to us as a byword for incompetence, corruption, and oppression. It is, however, the fact that the Palestinians were freer, happier, and able to play a greater part in their affairs under the Turk than under our rule, which they welcomed with enthusiasm before they realized the meaning of Zionism. Now that a distinguished Jew has lucidly explained the injury which the Balfour policy is inflicting on his co-religionists, we may surely apply in Palestine the principles which, everywhere else and always, we have been proud to honour.—I am, Sir, &c.,
&DENHAM.
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