Sm,—Since the cliaspora there has always been a Jewish problem
of greater or less acuteness in all parts of the world—directly, through the anti-Semitic propaganda of National Socialism hitherto unknown in history ; indirectly, by the forced immigra- tion of German Jews in masses into other countries. Left to itself it threatens the peace of the world and it must therefore be solved as soon as possible in the interests of all countries.
Even the free admission of the Jews to other countries does not provide a solution of the problem. Jewish immigration in masses would be liable to produce racial problems and would stimulate Fascist tendencies, thus threatening peace in the countries of refuge.
If the general opinion that the Jews represent a distinct community by their origin is justified, it is natural that they should form a political unit. Palestine has proved to be unsuited for this purpose ; the Jews there are under foreign authority, immigration is restricted as in other countries, and the claims of other nations to this territory exclude the hope of permanent peace. Sentiment, religious considerations and historical tradition must not be allowed to prevent an effective solution.
Today an acute outbreak of anti-Semitism threatens directly
not only all Jews but also persons of Jewish descent in every State throughout the world, although as yet it is not evident everywhere and many do not so far feel the threat. But the menace exists, and Jews everywhere have therefore a vital interest in effective measures to stem the anti-Semitic tide. They have done much already in this respect, but they do not recognise or consider the fundamental nature of the problem. They have regarded the Jewish Question only from the Jewish point of view, and so have failed to find A solution universally acceptable. This solution lies in the formation of an autonomous Jewish State in territory which must be bought from the political owners. This territory must be at present uninhabited so that the rise of a new racial irredenta may be prevented for all time. It must not be thought that the plan of the creation of a State by expelled Jews is not designed to preserve and foster their religion and their customs. Nevertheless the motive force is neither love nor hate ; it is a desire for reason and justice.
No details of the future racial and cultural development of the State are here considered, the one essential and unchange- able condition is that no restrictions should ever be placed on the immigration or activities of Jews or of their descendants on the ground of their origin.
When this State has become so established that it can absorb all Jews threatened by expulsion, other States will have the moral right to limit Jewish immigration to their countries, whereas today such a restriction spells ruin to hundreds of thousands of human beings.
The considerable amount of money needed to finance the plan would have to be raised by long-term loans especially from Jews of all countries. But as the realisation of the plan would be to the interest of all States public support also might be expected.
It is believed that a territory could be found which fulfils the requirements in that it is uninhabited and for sale and (after the probably necessary cultivation) promises a healthy climate.
The cultivation and development of the land would doubtless demand great physical effort on the part of immigrants. It would however be properly organised and carried through with modern machinery, and the territory could be put under the control of technical and medical experts from the beginning.
Once the scheme were recognised as a possible solution its great advantages would become evident. In the execution of the plan, which would injure no one and offer no threat to world peace, there would arise for the founders of the new State an imposing task of organisation and, for those who financed -the plan, an enterprise that should provide an adequate return within a reasonable time. A new State could be built up free from the impediments of tradition, more systematically and better adapted to the needs of our time than existing States. It would thus promise rapid and brilliant development. As its population might be in the neighbourhood of one million, the territory need not be very large, even allowing for an average birth-rate. Its size would be limited by cost and by political considerations, to exclude from the beginning any fear of aggression in neighbouring countries. The State that sold the territory could be interested in the sale, among others, by the application of the principle of the most favoured nation_ The carrying out of this enterprise should not be allowed to interfere with any existing plans and organisations for helping expelled Jews. Indeed these, having fewer cases to deal with, would be able to work more effectively.
The creation of such a Jewish State would not only save hundreds of- thousands of Jews from an extremely critical situation but it would also cause anti-Semitism to lose ground everywhere. If there were no further reason to fear Jewish immigration, the Jewish problem would lose its acuteness and become comparatively unimportant. Moreover, the pro- posed solution would benefit those Jews who are citizens of other States or who have obtained permission to work there, their position becoming identical with that of other alien nationals. And last, but not least, the moral benefit would be incalculable because from an unhappy and despised section of society would arise a community united by one will and one idea which would have saved its human dignity and could claim general esteem..—I am, Sir, Ste., G. ELKELAS.
Argentina.
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