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No. 45. — Vienna, 8 November 1901. — Fifth Year

"We hope that it is true."

That is the title of an article which the Chicago weekly "The Reform Advocate" of October 19th carries in a leading place. The essay is signed by Emil G. Hirsch. Rabbi Dr. Emil G. Hirsch, a personality very well known in American Jewry, has hitherto belonged — as some of our readers may know, among other things from a letter of Max Nordau's in No. 16 of the fourth year of the "Welt" (1900) — among our most fervent opponents. What he sets forth under the above-named title was therefore well calculated to surprise us. For in it Mr. Hirsch comes out very warmly and emphatically for Zionism — though only for a Zionism that has success. For the struggling Zionism he has nothing to spare; but to the victorious Zionism his whole heart belongs. He has learned that great successes are in store for our cause. Now he hopes that the Zionists "will pass over from theory to practice." One sees: Mr. Hirsch has not occupied himself very closely with our activity of the last years. He hopes for a development which, so far as it is sound and expedient, began long ago and steadily advances. No matter. But what then, when practice has taken up its abode in our ranks? Then, says Mr. Hirsch, "we and many other doubters will pass over from criticism to co-operation."

Well — we hope that it is true. For the rest, it may indeed be finer to attach oneself to an idea than to a success. But it is at all events honest and deserving of recognition to let oneself be convinced by the rise and the happy effects of a good cause. We shall gladly give Mr. Hirsch opportunity to be active within a practical and successful Zionism.

One thing Mr. Hirsch has understandably overlooked: that success grows in direct proportion to the number and the sacrificial power of the workers. He has overlooked that the degree of the success is therefore laid in his hand also, in the hand of his friends and — if I may so express myself — of those of like mind with him. Now these hands are indeed folded in prayer for our cause, which formerly they were not. "We implore fervently," says Mr. Hirsch, "that these good tidings may be fulfilled." That is certainly a gratifying fact. But it would be no less gratifying if these hands would not merely fold themselves for our cause, but would also stir. Let it only be recalled here that the Jewish Colonial Bank, the first foundation and precondition of our success, has appealed and still appeals to these — so numerous — hands in a quite definite sense. Do the men who see in success the essence of Zionism mean only to pray for this success, and not also to build at it?

Very characteristic indeed in its clearness and candour, however, is the motivation of the conversion which Mr. Hirsch gives. "We have," so it runs word for word in his article, "sung too early of the dawning era of universal brotherhood. From our pulpits there have resounded all too often the variations of that one theme which is so dear to the heart of modern liberalism, the emancipation of the human race from error, sin, hatred, prejudice and all the rest. Intoxicated by our own phraseology, we have lost the power to distinguish between the struggling ray of an uncertain dawn and the glory of the noonday flood of sun. Because we wished the fulfilment of our dreams, we declared that they had fulfilled themselves." "This humanitarianism has all too greatly neglected to remember historical facts and forces. The disillusionment had to come. It has now come."

These are plain and noteworthy words, which are likely to be heard far and wide. For years there have come from all lands the voices of leading personalities, of representative men, who loudly and urgently proclaim the bankruptcy of assimilation — of that same assimilation,