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No. 7. Vienna, 13 February 1903 — 16 Shebat 5663. 7th Year

Jewish Migration.

From Cape Town comes the news that a large number of Jewish emigrants, who came to South Africa with the intention of settling there, have been prevented by the authorities from landing and compelled to return. In one case it concerns 120 people, with whom the shipping company in question, itself without any inkling of such a measure, knows not what to do. Several hundred other emigrants, however, are already on their way, and it will be possible to inform only a part of them, while still at sea, of this wholly unexpected misfortune which the refusal of a landing in South Africa means for them.

What has happened, that an English colony should refuse admission to Jewish emigrants? Have the Jews settled in this colony perhaps fallen into disfavour with the Government, and does this severe measure represent a reprisal against the native Jews? Is this perhaps the beginning of an antisemitic policy in England and her colonies? Or are these roving vagabonds, depraved characters who would become a burden upon the poor-law administration, or old, sick people whose admission would cause the colony nothing but expense and trouble, without any economic contribution to be expected of them? Nothing, nothing of all this. No country in the world has for centuries shown the Jews more kindness than England. And America, which for so long meant an El Dorado for the hunted Jews, took over its humane and magnanimous attitude, even towards persecuted immigrants, directly from England. And yet America has for some time past begun to make difficulties for the immigrating Jews, and now, after the heated debates on alien immigration that have taken place in London, South Africa follows the example of America. With a self-evident loyalty that asks no word of praise, the English Jews did their duty in the protracted struggle with the Boers. Their bearing in other respects has always been that of most respectable, self-sacrificing citizens, and naturally is so still. The Jews settled in Cape Colony received only lately, through Mr. Chamberlain, the assurance of the

friendly disposition of the Government. Nay, more! The Zionist Federation in South Africa has been entrusted by the Government with functions that otherwise belong only to high consular officials. And only a few days ago Mr. Chamberlain received the representatives of this very Zionist body, accepted an address from their hands, and expressed himself in the friendliest manner about the Zionist movement and the activity of the South African Zionists. No! Antisemitism did not dictate this measure, and England, great, free, proud England, has never been capable of cruelty towards people who implore her protection, and cannot have changed so much even now.

Nor was it vagabonds, beggarly folk, or sick old men who sought to settle in South Africa. On the contrary. Men in the prime of their strength, skilled craftsmen, who were even in possession of ready money, were struck by the harsh decree. And yet they have been forbidden to immigrate. And yet they must measure back the long way across the sea, asking themselves in despair: whither now, whither, if even England will grant us no hospitality?

What, then, has happened? Something that we Zionists have anxiously foretold for many years, something that we have foretold to our brethren again and again, imploring, entreating, warning, and with the marshalling of a whole scientific apparatus. Oh, that they had believed us! That they might at least be startled out of their comfortable indolence by such occurrences! Hundreds of thousands, millions of Jews cannot possibly remain any longer in the places where they now dwell. They are starving, they are going to ruin mentally, physically, morally. Help must be provided. They present the picture of an overheated steam-boiler. Shrill whistles, meant as a warning, sound forth. From time to time a heavy cloud of steam bursts through some valve that still affords an outlet. Ever shriller and more persistent. "Room for the steam, room!" Or else there will be a fearful explosion! Draw off the surplus force! It is still possible, there is still rescue, if all will help together with energy. It is of no use to open a small valve somewhere and, for the moment,