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No. 29. | Vienna, 18 July 1902. | 6th Year

Dr. Herzl before the Alien Immigration Commission in London.

We are to-day in a position to supplement our report of Dr. Herzl's examination by reproducing the shorthand record of the hearing to which Dr. Herzl was subjected. The course of the sitting was as follows:

On Monday, the 10th of July, the 16th sitting of the Royal Commission appointed by the English Parliament to study the question of alien immigration took place in the Caxton Hall, Westminster. In expectation of Dr. Herzl's examination the hall — the sittings being public — was overcrowded. Among the spectators were to be seen many Jews from the East End, as well as the most prominent Zionists of the country. Before the opening of the sitting Dr. Herzl conversed animatedly with the members of the Commission, who were present in full number. They are: the Chairman, Lord James of Hereford, member of the Cabinet; then Lord Rothschild, member of the House of Lords; Mr. Alfred Lyttleton, Major W. E. Evans-Gordon, Mr. Henry Norman, members of the House of Commons; Sir Kenelm Digby and Mr. William Vallence.

The first expert witness called is Dr. Theodor Herzl.

Before the examination begins, Mr. Norman takes the floor: "It had originally been arranged that I should put the questions to Dr. Herzl. I believe, however, that it would save time and simplify the procedure if the statement which Dr. Herzl has made were first read out."

Thereupon Major Gordon read out the statement which we have already reproduced in our last number.

Then began the

Examination of Dr. Herzl.

Questions put by Mr. Norman.

Mr. Norman: You are aware that this Commission does not regard the question of alien immigration solely as a Jewish question?

Dr. Herzl: Certainly. But having read the evidence attentively, I find that the Commission has occupied itself chiefly with Jewish immigration. There has been very little mention of the immigration of other nationalities.

Mr. Norman: My point is this, that your statements might give one who is otherwise informed the impression that this whole question is a question of Jews and Christians, whereas the Commission treats it as an economic one. I should like it placed on record that we are concerned not merely with Jews, but also with Italians and other classes of immigrants, just as we should be concerned with Chinese, were there any here.

Dr. Herzl: I perceive that it is chiefly an economic question from your endeavour to inform yourselves about virtues. When you deal with alien immigrants, you ask whether these people possess virtues or vices. I recognise that it is not merely from the moral standpoint, but chiefly from the economic, otherwise you would have spoken more of certain classes of immigrants who are herded together in various parts of London and who stand, if anything, on a lower moral level than the Jews. I do not wish to say anything against any other people, but there are persons whose morality does not come up to that of the Jewish workmen in this country. The inquiry into virtue shows that it is an economic question. A competitor who is richer in good qualities is the more dangerous.

Mr. Norman: Whether this immigration is good for us or not — can you not express your opinion upon that?

Dr. Herzl: I am not an Englishman. If I were one, I should not consider industrious, sober and thrifty people undesirable immigrants. If I were an Englishman, I should try to find the right place for these inflowing forces and, in my opinion, raise the strength of the country.

Mr. Norman: You say that in your opinion the number of immigrant Jews must necessarily increase considerably.

Dr. Herzl: Certainly.