Die Welt

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Conference of the Austrian Zionists. (First Austrian Zionist Day.)

The Union "Zion" has convened for the 24th and 25th of March 1901 a Conference of the delegates of the some 200 Zionist societies of Austria, to meet at Olmütz in Moravia.

It is not a question of a review of forces or of a mere demonstration. They are to be working days in the fullest sense of the word. The work of the organisation of the Austrian Zion societies is at last to be carried through, and the firm foundation created for a systematic and widely extended activity.

As the basis for the deliberations of the Zionist Day the following order of the day has been fixed (with one principal rapporteur and one co-rapporteur for each of II—V):

I. The situation of the Jews in Austria. II. Programme. III. Organisation. IV. Agitation. V. Press. VI. Eventualia.

In the interest of a strong participation and of a thorough treatment of the subjects of the order of the day on every side, it was resolved that every society shall have the right to send two delegates to the party congress. It was further resolved that, in the interest of an orderly debate, the outlines of the reports must be made known to the societies at least 14 days before the party congress for the purpose of discussion; thirdly, that motions of initiative must be made known either at latest eight days before the holding of the Zionist Day, or at the Zionist Day itself, but then supported by six signatures of delegates.

Our fellow-Zionists are urgently requested, immediately upon taking cognisance of this announcement, to bring its contents before the competent authority of their societies and to designate two delegates to the party congress.

It is a point of honour and a duty of every society to co-operate.

The delegates should be made known to the direction of the Union ("Zion", Vienna, IX., Türkenstrasse 9) as soon as possible. All communications and announcements will be delivered to the societies in good time.

Only through the co-operation of all fellow-Zionist societies will the Zionist Day attain true significance and be able to unfold a really fruitful activity.

May all the societies do their duty.

*

The Present Situation of the Colonies in Palestine.

By Dr. H. Jofe and Dr. S. Soskin (Jaffa).

There has surely hardly been a time in the history of our colonisation in Palestine which brought with it so many important events in so rapid a succession. Barely a year has elapsed since the "Jewish Colonisation Association" entered upon the inheritance of Baron E. v. Rothschild, and therewith began to introduce the most decisive turn in the whole administration of the old colonies — as well of those which stood under the protectorate of Baron v. Rothschild as of pretty nearly all the remaining Palestinian colonies. And already we see ourselves face to face with a general Palestinian crisis, by which not only the colonists are affected, but in great measure also — indeed, as we shall further see, unhappily in all too great measure — the workmen, and finally, in a certain relation, the Jewish population of the towns as well. The colonists had recourse to self-help, organised themselves everywhere, seeking to place their best representatives at their head, and began to work for the final solution of their situation, without relying, as had always formerly been the case, upon the far-famed solicitude of the Administration. Delegations from various colonies were sent to Paris, in order to negotiate with the heads of the Ica concerning their questions. Some representatives betook themselves also to Odessa, in order to win at the general meeting of the Odessa Colonisation Society*) the public opinion of the Russian Zionists for their demands, as well as some advocates with the Ica for their

*) Compare the following article and "Die Welt" No. 9: General Meeting of the Russian "Chowewe Zion".