The British Press and Zionism in Herzl's Time (1895-1904)* BENJAMIN JAFFE, MA., M.Jur.

A but has been extremely influential; on the other hand, it is not easy, and may even be It is a to to the Historical privilege speak Jewish to evaluate in most cases a impossible, public Society on subject which is very much interest in a subject according to items or related to its founder and past President, articles in a published newspapers many years the late Lucien Wolf. Wolf has prominent ago. It is clear that Zionism was at the period place in my research, owing to his early in question a marginal topic from the point of contacts with Herzl and his opposition to view of the public, and the Near East issue Zionism in later an which years, opposition was not in the forefront of such interest. him to his latest The accompanied day. story We have also to take into account that the of the Herzl-Wolf relationship is an interesting number of British Jews was then much smaller chapter in the history of early British Zionism than today, and the Jewish public as newspaper and Wolf's life.i readers was limited, having It was not an venture to naturally quite easy prepare were regard also to the fact that many of them comprehensive research on the attitude of the newly arrived immigrants who could not yet British press at the time of Herzl. Early read English. Zionism in in attracted England general only I have concentrated here on Zionism as few scholars, unless one mentions Josef Fraenkel reflected in the British press in HerzPs time, and the late Oskar K. in Rabinowicz, though 1895-1904. I have not been able to elaborate within the framework of the Israel, universities, were on other Jewish issues or events which of some work has been conducted on the good re? interest to the English public or on the history of British pre-Zionism, mainly on partial actions in the press to such events, except those aspects. which were closely related to Zionism. The Dreyfus affair, the situation of the Jews in A Marginal Topic Russia and Rumania, and the Kishinev pogrom of 1903 were covered to a very large In the present paper I have not discriminated degree in the pages of the English press, and too much as far as newspapers and periodicals each of these reactions deserves special research. are concerned. I made a survey of all kinds of Within the compass of my work I have not sur? paper, national and provincial dailies, Sunday veyed the interest of the British public in papers, and evening papers, weeklies, month? Palestine and the support of quite a number of lies, and even quarterlies, as well as some Englishmen for the idea of the return of the Church papers. It is clear that not every paper to the Land before the Herzl era, with a circulation has influence Jews Holy large greater at nor the special interest of Englishmen the on public opinion than papers with a more time of Palmerston in the Holy Land, a subject limited circulation. The Times, for example, of great fascination.2 has always had a relatively limited circulation, * This paper was delivered to the Jewish Histori? cal Society in London on 22 November 1972. B It is based on research prepared under the auspices of the Weizmann Institute of Zionist a History, It is extremely difficult to find out why University of Tel Aviv, under the supervision of 2 Dr. Alex Bein. I dedicate it to Josef Fraenkel. See N. Sokolow, History of Zionism, Vol. I, 1 See J. Fraenkel, 'Lucien Wolf and Theodor London, 1918; B. Tuchman, Bible and Sword, chap. Herzl', Trans. J.H.S.E., Vol. XX, London, 1964. 9, etc., New York, 1956. 89

Jewish Historical Society of England is collaborating with JSTOR to digitize, preserve, and extend access to Transactions & Miscellanies Jewish Historical Society of England ® www.jstor.org 90 BenjaminJoffe a a newspaper publishes certain item or editorial. expensive newspaper with somewhat sen? Is it an outcome of the interest of the public sational flavour, and by the end of the '90s or is it on the initiative of the editors? It is not reached the figure of 1,000,000 copies daily.5 easy after 70 years to suggest, in most cases, why a certain paper was more positive towards Different Papers' Attitudes Zionism than another paper. It is hardly a possible to identify the writers who wrote the It will be useful to survey in few words the unsigned editorials. In certain cases it would colouring of the main British newspapers and certainly be helpful. Only through Herzl's periodicals of the period in question and their letters do we know in which cases Herzl asked attitude to Zionism and Jewish topics. The different people, such as Jacob de Haas and Times, as already mentioned, was the most the Haham, Dr. Moses Gaster, to initiate influential; it was a conservative paper a news sense publication of item whenever he felt in the wide of the word, although was it important.3 independent.6 Owing to its many important are a Editorials read only by limited number correspondents throughout the world The of readers, but if such editorials appear in an Times concentrated mainly on foreign policy important newspaper they are read by moulders and foreign news. Throughout the period the as of public opinion. As far letters to the editor paper was quite cautious towards Zionism and are concerned, the opinion expressed in them is always strove to be on its guard against what usually a minority opinion. Altogether we have might be the effects of its editorials on Anglo difficulty in defining public opinion and its Jewish leaders, including the Chief Rabbi, influence, especially in a marginal issue such Dr. Adler. The Times covered news of Jewish as Zionism was then. interest in many countries. The Daily Chronicle The British press at the end of the nineteenth had a liberal flavour and was more 'popular' was a century very important 'pillar of British than The Times. Several times the Chronicle were Democracy' and an editorial in The Times on expressed opinions which far from being was even 6 December 1858 states as follows: 'Every in favour of Jews or Zionism, and it issue of an English journal speaks to the whole accused sometimes of antisemitism. The Stand? world. That is its strength. It lives by its ard, an independent Tory daily, which was was to universality.' The importance of London as quite important at the time, indifferent a. the metropolis of the Empire and as one of the Zionism. The Daily News, popular and liberal most influential political centres of the world paper, was alive to foreign news and often enhanced the importance of the British press. published items on Jewish life in Russia and a At the time in question the number of import? other countries. The Daily Telegraph, Tory ant dailies and other political and cultural Unionist paper, was quite sympathetic to we periodicals was much more numerous than Zionism. In addition to these find two a today. The English are nation of newspaper of the main provincial papers, the Manchester readers, but at the end of the nineteenth Guardian and the Yorkshire Post. The former, was a century, before the era of radio and television, under the editorship of C. P. Scott, they were much more so, though the circulation liberal, serious, and influential paper, and its as of the national press in the '70s and '80s was cautious sympathy for Zionism started far was not more than 300,000 copies. In the provincial back as the HerzJ period. (C. P. Scott towns not more than 40,000 copies were sold instrumental in assisting Weizmann from 1915 a daily.4 But the '90s brought complete revolu? in getting the Balfour Declaration.7) The tion in the British press. Alfred Harmsworth Yorkshire Post, a Tory paper and a leading daily (later Lord Northcliffe) introduced the in 5 F. Williams, The Dangerous Estate, 1957, p. 160. 3 6 Herzl, Iggerot (Letters) (Hebrew), Vol. II History of The Times, 1935, Vol. 3, deals with the (1958), pp. 135-139; Vol. Ill (1957), p. 150. period in question. 4 7 A. Wadsworth, Newspaper Circulation 1800-1954, D. Ayerst, Guardian, Biography of a Newspaper, Manchester, 1955, pp. 18-25. London, 1971. The British Press and Zionism in Herzl's Time 91

was in the North of England, also fairly positive Tablet, the Catholic Weekly, the Christian towards Zionism. Herald (a Catholic weekly with provincial editions), the Christian Age, etc. Their coverage of Zionism was limited, but on the whole for Zionism Support sometimes a positive, though with missionary In addition to these, the Observer, a Tory flavour. Sunday paper, and the Sunday Times, conserva? In our research we surveyed about 110 news? tive and independent, were less occupied with papers throughout the British Isles. I believe was the problem. The most pro-Zionist newspaper that sufficient to give the general trend. throughout the period was the Spectator, which In summing up we can say that while the was a were 'liberal, unionist and independent' conservative papers mainly positive to weekly, and dedicated most of its pages to Zionism, they were more cautious and took political, literary, and artistic subjects. Its into consideration the views of Anglo-Jewish editor, St. Loe Strachey, from 1898, raised the leaders, but became much more involved when a paper to very important position and followed Zionism became a 'burning issue' at the time of social, civil, and reform problems with great the alien immigration controversy and then were a interest.8 There number of afternoon the East Africa project. The liberal papers were more papers, illustrated and popular, like the St. independent in their views as far as the James" Gazette, Tory, which was read mainly Jewish community was concerned. The pro? by educated people; the Westminster Gazette, vincial papers of all shades were open to the liberal, whose editor from 1896 was J. A. new idea and discussed it on its merits. On the we can Spender; the Pall Mall Gazette, Tory and inde? whole, say that the standard of reporting pendent, also appealing to educated circles; and editorials was high and serious in its its first editor was John Morley and from 1883 approach. W. T. Stead.9 The circulation of all these papers was not more than 25,000 a copies day, C but all of them were edited by prominent a journalists and had number of innovations Herzl's first visit to England took place in (illustrations, interviews, big headlines, etc.). November 1895. The first person to meet him were These papers very much concerned with and introduce him to the public and Jewish new ideas and social reforms. Most of them leaders was the author Israel Zangwill.11 covered Zionism in all its aspects to a very Herzl was not aware, then, of the many ties even large degree and supported it.1? existing between England and Palestine on the In as the period in question the reviews such one hand, and British Jewry, since the era of the Contemporary Review, the Fortnightly Review, Sir Moses Montefiore, with the Jewish com? the Westminster Review, the Nineteenth Century, munity of Palestine. But Herzl with his intui? and the Edinburgh Review included in their tion felt that the Near East was a potentially a on pages quite number of articles the Near important element in British politics. In his East and Zionism and were open for discussion diaries he describes his attempts to contact on Zionism by Jewish thinkers and leaders. British political figures and journalists, and the were a There number of important papers groundwork was prepared first by Zangwill, to directed the Christian public, like the who became one of the main spokesmen of the movement, and later by Jacob de Haas, 8J. St. Loe Strachey, The Adventure of Living, Dr. Moses Gaster, Herbert Bentwich, and N.Y., 1922; W. B. Thomas, The Story of the 'Specta? tor', London, 1928. Leopold Greenberg. was in 9J.W. Scott-Robertson, The Story of the 'Pall Mall The first publication of Herzl's ideas Gazette', Oxford. the Chronicle on 17 10 Jewish January 1896, A very survey of press and good English periodi? under the title 'The Solution of the Jewish cals, see H. Herd, The Making ofJournalism, London, 11 1952; to identify the papers' affiliations we used The See L. Zangwill, 'Herzl invades England', Newspaper Press Directory, London, 1900. Herzl Memorial Book, New York, 1929, p. 41. 92 BenjaminJoffe

Problem', some time before his book The Jewish Daily Graphic. Wolf interviewed him several Herzl on State was published in its original German. times, and himself published articles The reactions to Herzl's article in the Jewish Zionism in theDaily Chronicle(17 October 1897) Chronicle were interesting. William Holman and Contemporary Review (October 1897). Hunt, the British painter, who spent some years In 1896 Herzl discussed Palestine and Eng? in Palestine in the 1850s and advocated the land's position with the Grand Duke of Baden, a new move? return of the Jews to Palestine, published an who became sympathiser of the a interview in the Jewish Chronicle (12 February ment, and raised the issue of Jewish State 1896) and the Daily Chronicle (24 February under the sovereignty of the Sultan but which serve a 1896) in which he declared his early initiative would England by building railroad, and Zionist ideas. Hunt believed in the im? on the 'short way to India,' a project which as portance of a Jewish State in Palestine 'a would 'solve the Egyptian problem' and would an centre for peace, stability and security, and as a create alternative route to India, which the event solution to the problem of the Middle East and would be necessary in of 'difficulties for the benefit of all humanity', but while with the Suez Canal'.12 Herzl returned to the same attract Herzl still believed in the possibility of having idea, which he believed would in an in such a State under the protection of the Sultan, English statesmen, interview the St. Hunt advocated getting the support of the big James9 Gazette (13 August 1900). In view of this we can was in Powers for the Jewish State and the taking of concept, guess what actually the area of Palestine out of the Sultan's Herzl's mind when he approached the English as as but he not realise 'corrupt' control. It is interesting that Sir public early 1896, did at the of Samuel Montagu (later Lord Swaythling), that the time in question whole issue routes to the Anglo-Jewish leader, who later became the Suez Canal, alternative India, in were not in an opponent of Zionism, supported Hunt's and possible difficulties Egypt, British point of view in the Daily Chronicle (25 February the forefront of politics. 1896). It is also interesting to find that the idea of the Powers' consent to the aim of Zionism big First Poor was Congress's Impression was adopted in the Basle Programme and for many years ajfter a very important element Ten British correspondents attended the First in the of Zionist policy. Zionist Congress Basle, but coverage in the papers was meagre. In The Times, for most of the reports came from Herzl Meets Lucien Wolf example, Reuter's. The Congress did not impress the Herzl was anxious in 1896 to come to some journalists then. Among the few editorials a we on First Zionist sort of deal ('Charter') with the Ottoman which find the Congress we had Government, but he realised the special must mention that in The Times, which as sensitivity in England to the massacre of the reservations about Zionism, being sensitive, Armenians by the Turks and the potential mentioned before, to the attitude of Anglo an alternative importance of Palestine in English policy. Jewish leaders, and suggested In order to get support for Zionism in England to Zionism by combating antisemitism, he looked for ways to appease English public (4 September 1897). In an editorial in thePall the First opinion, and through his new contacts in Mall Gazette the paper viewed as an event which England Herzl tried to approach the British Zionist Congress 'historical to take into press. He even entertained the idea of publish? the political world would have a and 2 ing daily newspaper in Paris or London which account in the future' (30 August a would not be a 'Jewish paper', but would be September 1897). II to Palestine 'whip' against the Turks, if necessary, or sup? The visit of Kaiser Wilhelm two port them in case itwould serve the new move? in the autumn of 1898 persuaded papers, 26 ment. One of the first journalists whom Herzl the Spectator (20 August, 12 November, was i2 met Lucien Wolf, the foreign editor of the Herzl's Diaries, 25 April 1896. The British Press and Zionism in HerzPs Time 93

November 1898) and the Daily Mail (18 Mall Gazette (13 October, 3 and 16 November November 1898), to imply that a Jewish State 1897) White dealt with the Jewish problem the Germans from and a in Palestine could prevent suggested convening European Congress getting a foothold there. Both papers empha? which would discuss its solution. Herzl himself the to sised importance of Palestine British mentioned White's idea in several places. interests. White said that 'if Europe will not assist the Jews, the Jews will destroy Europe.' He attacked the rich Jews who refused, according to him, D 'to assist their brethren' and criticised the House of Rothschild's readiness to grant loans to the Arnold White's Criticisms Russian Government. On the other hand, he was critical of Baron Hirsch for sending The strangest, and a forgotten, figure, who Jews to Argentina. White was one of the was most active in the polemics against first who foresaw the possibility of a holocaust Zionism in the in was the period question, the of Jews. He suggested establishing a Jewish writer Arnold who several political White, State inArmenia which would limit the national ran times unsuccessfully for Parliament.13 Armenian tendencies against Russia. Several White was the son of a clergyman of Danish articles in the Daily Chronicle (9, 14, and 16 a frustrated an emotional extraction, politician, were October 1897), which unsigned, expressed and unstable personality. From 1891 White White's ideas and stated that 'the Jewish visited Russia no fewer than five times, the problem contains the germs of a great inter? last visit probably in 1902.14 In 1891 he was national danger'. Possibly White was their sent to Russia Baron Maurice de Hirsch by author. to negotiate with the Russian Government to allow the Jews to emigrate. It is not clear today what was the actual contribution of White in was Hirsch's emigration venture, which mainly East Africa Scheme Opposed directed towards Argentina. Nor is it clear In the many articles which White wrote why Hirsch selected White for this assignment, during the Herzl period he opposed the Zionist but the fact is that during the end of the century solution, the resettlement of Palestine, and at White knew more about Russian than Jewry the same time the of into the other in and he came immigration Jews any person England, British was one Isles. He of the main public to know the Russian Jewish communities and figures who advocated the limitation of Jewish Russian political leaders intimately. White immigration to England, and his agitation published three books15 in which he expressed was one of the factors which about the his on a brought opinions wide range of Jewish problems setting up of the Royal Commission on Alien in Russian and in He believed that England. He also evidence to there was a Immigration (1902). gave danger that the Jews would bring the Royal Commission and the nomi? an anarchic of which opposed 'flooding' England, nation of Lord Rothschild as a member of it. would increase antisemitism there. eventually When the Kishinev White He pogroms occurred, criticised the 'insularity' of the Jews and defended Plehve, the Russian Minister of the their reluctance to but sometimes he assimilate, was Interior, who accused by many as the man expressed his disbelief in the success of such behind the pogroms. After Plehve died, White assimilation. In a series of articles in the Pall wrote an obituary in which he stated that " Plehve was 'a to See 'White, A.', in Who was Who, London, friend of the Jews and agreed 1929. the establishment of a State in Armenia' 14 Jewish S. 'Moritz Baron Adler-Rudel, Hirsch', {DailyExpress, 29 July 1904). Leo Baeck Yearbook, Vol. 8, 1963. London, White the is The Destitute opposed East Africa project, Alien, 1892; The English Democracy which was to divert to a ?Its Problems and Perils, 1895; and The Modern Jew Jewish immigration (1899). semi-autonomous colony, but it seems that 94 BenjaminJoffe after Herzl died White limited his expressions At the time of the First Zionist Congress, in on Jewish affairs. He died in 1925, and the August 1897, Dr. Emile Reich, an historian was Jewish Chronicle wrote that he 'one of the and scholar, and Herbert Bentwich, the Zionist most active anti-Semites in his generation'. leader, discussed Zionism in the Nineteenth was a There strange mixture in White: cruel Century quarterly,17 and the late Oswald John realism, admiration for Jewish genius, deep Simon and Dr. Gaster in The Times argued on knowledge of Jewish life and issues, and anti every aspect of the new movement.18 The or other semitism. He rejected Zionism any difference of opinion between these personali? later a a solution, except Armenia, and suggested ties is topic for special research which should saw Jewish State in America. He in the Jewish also include the controversy between the was a problem 'a cancer' which danger to Zionists and personalities like Israel Abrahams, the European society and British Isles, and, Claude Montefiore, Laurie Magnus, and others. as mentioned he forecast the The earlier, European intellectual leaders of Anglo-Jewry rejected In of the fact that his new holocaust. spite opinions the national idea, emphasised the religious a were published and circulated in quite aspect of Judaism, and looked upon Zionism as number of papers, they had relatively few 'a surrender to antisemitism\ They also doubted more reactions. We find about it in the Jewish the practicality of a Jewish State. There was press than in the general press. also a rift between Hovevei Zion leaders and the Zionists in connection with the position of the colonies in Palestine. Some of the Hovevei E Zion leaders, like Colonel Albert Goldsmid, on The discussion Zionism among leaders refused to join the new movement. There was a and spokesmen of the Jewish community permanent struggle in the Spanish and started from the first appearance of Herzl. Portuguese community. While the Haham, was From the beginning the Jewish Chronicle Dr. Gaster, and Sir Francis Montefiore joined the main vehicle through which Zionism the movement, most of the elders of the com? was brought to the notice not only of the Jewish munity rejected it, and were critical of the public but also of the non-Jewish, who pre? Haham, who became a spokesman of the sumably read the paper. We know it through movement from the beginning. the editorials of various general papers and letters in the JC, written by non-Jews. Para? Widespread Controversies doxically the Jewish Chronicle, in spite of its to were opposition the idea of political Zionism, All these struggles and arguments was in the new move? instrumental publicising discussed and reported not only in the Jewish ment to through articles, editorials, letters the press but also in the general press, especially editor, news items, and special illustrated in 'letters to the editor'. supplements, which appeared during every At the time of the Fourth Zionist Congress The the Zionist Congress. reasoning behind the representative Anglo-Jewish leaders did not was attitude of the paper the danger that attend the Congress, and some of their spokes? Zionism would affect the rights of the Jews men wrote letters to the general press against which in and a they had gained England other the new movement,19 and quite number of countries, that it would involve Jews in dual newspapers reacted to this phenomenon. loyalty, and that it would endanger the weak Some of them indicated that unless Anglo Jewish settlements in Palestine. We find traces 17 E. Reich, Nineteenth Century, August 1897; of these and considerations ideological practical H. Bentwich, October 1897. !8 in various general papers.16 The Times, 30 August, 1 September, 3 Septem? was a ber, 1897; O. J. Simon (1855-1932) well 16 See The Jewish Chronicle (1841-1941), London, known Anglo-Jewish leader and intellectual. if 1949, pp. 105-106; J. Fraenkel, 'The "Jewish 'Cant' in The Times, 14 and 16 August 1900, H. Chronicle" and the Launching of Political Zion? F. Montefiore, The Times, 15 August 1900; ism', Herzl Tear Book, Vol. Ill, pp. 217-227. Guedalla, The Times, 20 August 1900. The British Press and Zionism in HerzPs Time 95

movement it Jewish leaders assisted the would trends. Anybody who speaks to London speaks affect its chances of success, though other to the whole English-speaking cultural world. were papers of the opinion that the position The British press has the biggest newspaper the in of Jewish leaders England towards reading public in the world. A Congress in was to success or Zionism irrelevant its failure.20 London will publicise our movement. Political In 1903 Zangwill and Lucien Wolf ex? Zionism goes to London in order to present changed letters in The Times in connection with itself to the English world and request itsmoral the purposes of the I.G.A. (Jewish Colonial and political support. The Congress must present the as Association) regarding 'millions of Hirsch' itself the representative of the Jewish people.' which Baron Hirsch left after his death.21 Lucien Wolf was very active in the pages of the Doubts and British press in the controversy with Zangwill Scepticism and others connected with the East Africa Herzl's aim was achieved. In the Weizmann project and against what he called 'the Zionist archives we find a bulky volume of four peril' and the 'mischieveous' idea of self hundred press-cuttings on Zionism and the government for the Jews in East Africa.22 Fourth Congress, which appeared in a wide range of English papers and periodicals. The speeches of Herzl, Nordau, and Zangwill got F very wide coverage, especially Nordau's on speech the position of the Jews in Europe. The Fourth Zionist Congress was held in The headlines used such expressions as 'Dream? London in August 1900, and was convened by ers of the Ghetto', 'Towards Zion', and 'New Herzl there for two purposes: to present Zion? Jerusalem', and Herzl was called 'New Moses', ism to the English political world in view of his 'Modern Moses', and 'Uncrowned King of the failures in negotiating with the Turkish Sultan Jews'. If we summarise the editorials we can and the German Government, and to present state that on the whole the papers were sym? Zionism to the English press. Herzl believed pathetic towards the Zionist Movement. that Zionism had many friends in political and Shortly before the Congress the position of the Christian religious circles and that English Jews of Rumania deteriorated to a very large intervention could help to move the Germans There was on their to act on behalf of Zionism.23 The Fourth degree. large press coverage plight. Some of the opposers of Zionism Zionist Congress, more than any other Con? accused the movement of encouraging dis? gress in Herzl's time, was 'a Congress of orderly immigration of Rumanian Jews to publicity', as described by Weizmann24 and De Haas denied this in and others. Herzl himself admitted in his articles England. public, Herzl, in his opening speech at the Congress, and in his opening speech at the Congress that indicated his position that it would be unwise his main purpose in going to London was to to advice to the of Rumania to start a new give Jews chapter of relationship between escape to England. Such immigration was Zionism and British public opinion. Herzl liable to be a not to the wrote inDie Welt the danger only English (8 June 1900) following: but also to the new who 'London with five million citizens is an enor? people immigrants, were 'importing' with them antisemitism. Sir mous centre of spiritual, political, and economic Francis Montefiore, in his speech at the Con? 20 gress, mentioned that antisemitism in England See Yorkshire Post, 14 August 1900; Morning was not an unknown Leader, 13 August 1900; Saturday Review, 16 August phenomenon.25 1900. Most of the newspapers were impressed by 21 March The Times, 23, 30 1903; 4, 11, 16 April the of the leaders of the movement 1903. personalities " and the surrounding it, as in the Man? The Times, 28 August, 8 September 1903. spirit 23 Herzl Diaries, 8 November 1899. chesterGuardian (16 August 1900) and the 24 Weizmann, Letters and Papers, Oxford, 1968, 25 Vol. I, p. 118. J.C., 17 August 1900, p. xiv. 96 BenjaminJoffe

Daily Chronicle (17 August 1900). The Daily that only if Palestine ceased to be part of the a Graphic, possibly from the pen of Lucien Wolf, Ottoman Empire would there be chance for said that Herzl raised the Maccabean flag, Zionism. Only international rule or supervision his venture was a Jewish revolt, and he had might bring the fulfilment of Zionism. Another courage, know-how, and political sense (13 paper, the Western Mercury (14 August 1900), saw a August 1900). On the other hand, the Yorkshire danger of political complications in the a were to Post doubted Herzl's leadership and approach, Near East if Jewish State be estab? though it put more trust in Nordau, who 'is lished in Palestine. The Manchester Courier more sensible' (14 August 1900). (14 August 1900) repeated what many papers a Other papers expressed doubts about the had written before it, that Jewish State would were an importance of the Congress and sceptical 'contribute element of stability to Asian a of its practicality (like the Morning Post, polities'. Quite number of papers related to 16 August 1900; the Nottingham Guardian, Zionism the problem of alien immigration movement 15-16 August, 1900, etc.). and believed that the could solve this problem and eliminate anti-Jewish trends in England, which were inevitable if Political Feared immigra? Complications tion into the British Isles continued at the same

Quite a number of papers believed that a pace (Nottingham Guardian, 15 August 1900; Jewish State in Palestine could 'change' the Saturday Review, 17 August 1900). an country and make it a place of'milk and honey'. At the end of the Congress Herzl gave Such a State could be beneficial not only to the interview to the Jewish Chronicle (17 August Jews but also to Christians, and it would raise 1900), in which he said that Congress brought to the intellectual standard of the Jewish people the message of Zionism the non-Jewish and the status of the Jews (Liverpool Mercury, 14 public, but he regretted that Zionism did not a August 1900; Manchester Mail, 14 August 1900; get co-operation from British Jews, who had Pall Mall Gazette, 15 August 1900). Quite a bias against Zionism, and he added, 'We case to number of papers agreed that the Zionist brought the Jewish the court of public goal was practical and possible and that it opinion'. The in some would solve the problem of all those Jews Jewish Chronicle, editorials (17 who could not assimilate and who were per? and 24 August 1900), discussed the publicity to the in the secuted (Saturday Review, 17 August 1900). given Jewish problem and Zionism There were voices advocating that Jewish British press and complained about Jews who were leaders like the Rothschilds should join the interested in such publicity. Again it is movement in order to solve its financial worried about English nationalism. The Jewish on difficulties (W. T. Stead, in Review of Reviews? Chronicle returned to the subject 31 August was quoted in the Jewish World, 31 August 1900). 1900 and stated that the 'British press to even the Not one paper doubted the possibility that the sympathetic Zionism and critics were the was majority of Jews would leave Europe; the positive towards Jews. Possibly it to events terrible position of the Jews justified the due the in Rumania'. The the was hailed implementation of Zionism and might bring wide coverage of Congress a in benefit to all Asia (Spectator, 18 August 1900). in letter the Daily Chronicle (20 August Only one paper, the Daily News (14 August 1900) signed by Rabbi J. H. Hertz and others, the 1900), asked 'what would happen to the local in which they expressed appreciation of Arab inhabitants of Palestine?will they be full and satisfactory coverage of Zionism. of the expelled?' Zangwill said:26 Tn spite of the fears The papers dealt on several occasions with British Jews, there was no event in the history the attitude of the Sultan to a Jewish State. of England which created among the Christians Some believed that the Sultan would agree to it, 26 Quoted by Herzl in a letter to Hamburgeshe others doubted it. The Liverpool Mercury Correspondent, see Herzl, Michtavim (Letters), 1937, (14 August 1900), for example, believed pp. 193-195. The British Press and Zionism in HerzPs Time 97

a better of the than the find from opinion Jews Congress replies Balfour, Lloyd George, and in London.' Chamberlain. On 24 September 1900, one month after the a Congress in London, circular letter, signed a Vote' by Joseph Cowen on behalf of the Zionist Opposing 'Jewish was sent to candi? Federation, Parliamentary The Jewish Chronicle, on 28 September 1900, dates for the election.27 In this circular was a general very critical about creating 'Jewish it was stated that the of implementation vote', and saw in such action a non-patriotic Zionism would solve the in Jewish problem activity. and divert the flood of Europe immigrants from In the elections 31 sympathisers with Zion? Western to Palestine. the Europe Furthermore, ism, who replied to the circular, were elected candidates were asked to to His to saw appeal Parliament. Herzl in this campaign 'the Government 'to use its offices' Majesty's good cleverest action done by the movement'.25 for the Zionist if it were aspirations, needed, Zangwill was also happy with the results.29 the Governments who had an interest among Leopold Greenberg said at a meeting in Cardiff, in Palestine and Cowen stated that if an Syria. 'Zionism may be issue of English politics the candidate with the Zionist sympathised much earlier than we expect, due to a special movement he would be to recommend his happy interest in Egypt and the "shortest way to and assistance in this candidacy give every India". This is why it is important for us to respect. find out to what degree the representatives of the English people sympathise with our move? ment' (Jewish Chronicle, 26 October 1900, p. 25). Replies of Parliamentary Candidates The Parliament which was elected in 1900 on kept the Tory-Unionist Government in power Close 100 replies were received from the until December 1905. During this period, under candidates. A few replied in the positive, a Balfour as Prime Minister, the negotiations few added the words T sympathise with were some conducted between the British Govern? Zionism', added that they 'are prepared ment and the Zionists El Arish to act for the fulfilment of Zionism'. Two concerning and East Africa, and the Royal Commission on candidates said that they would act 'according to the Alien Immigration sat, with the controversies opinions of the representative loyal connected with it. Since the Fourth Zionist Jews'. George Lansbury, the leader of the Zionism became an issue in British Labour faction, wrote: T believe that Zionism Congress, was is a movement politics and brought to the attention of which will contribute not only British political figures. to the benefit of the Jews, but also of all nations.' A member of the Government, H. W. Lang, said that he was prepared 'to hear G with sympathy the opinion of the Jewish In 1901 attention to Zionism in the community.' A second member of the Govern? general press was limited. The most memorable event ment, W. S. Robeson, stated that he was ready in the of Zionism to the as a private member to assist the Government presentation general public was the November of the in appealing to the Sultan to grant a 'charter'. meeting 'Article Club', a very important club of financial Four Jewish candidates agreed to support Zion? one and colonial figures. Generals, admirals, ism, of them, B. S. Straus, stating that Zionism was colonial administrators, clergy, writers, and the solution to the immigration which was so scholars attended the meeting, where Zangwill problem important to East was the main The title of his lecture London. Almost all London candidates who speaker. was 'The Commercial Future of replied agreed to support Zionism. We do not Palestine', 28 Protocol of the Fifth Zionist Congress (Ger? 27 a Included in brochure of the English Zionist man), Vienna, 1901, p. 45. 2* Federation, General Elections, London, 1900. I. Zangwill in World's Work, July 1903. 98 BenjaminJoffe an but actually the lecture covered emphasis immigration into the British Isles and the as on on the strategic importance of Palestine Parliamentary debates the question. While well as the potentialities of British economic the Morning Post published articles on the interest there, and the plight of East European 'criminal' character of the Polish immigrants Jewry. Among the speakers who followed (quoted in theJewish World, 20 May, 1898, p. Zangwill were the writers Hall Caine, George 151), the Spectator urged refuge for the perse? Bernard Shaw, the Archdeacon of London cuted, but at the same time taking steps to (Sinclair), Colonel Albert Goldsmid, and the 'safeguard the character of the English life' Serbian Minister of State, Dr. Milevic. All in the isles (quoted in the Jewish World, 3 June the speakers supported Zionism. Zangwill 1898, p. 164). We have mentioned that at the at spoke in those days other public meetings, time of the Fourth Zionist Congress, in August where he was critical of the organisational 1900, quite a number of papers saw in Zionism a leadership of the Jewish people, the Anglo solution to the alien immigration problem. Jewish Association, and the Anglo-Jewish In the summer of 1902 the Royal Commission on press (Jewish Chronicle, 22 November 1901, Alien Immigration, which was established pp. 14-16, and Commerce, 21 November 1901). to inquire into the character and scope and the negative results of such immigration and find ways to limit foreign immigration, held its Israel Zangwill's Attitude meetings; 49 sessions were held and 175 wit? In December 1901 Zangwill delivered a nesses appeared. Among the witnesses was saw speech to the Fifth Zionist Congress in Basle Herzl, who in Zionism the only alternative in which he raised the problem of the 'Hirsch to the flood of immigrants, but at the same time on millions'. The British press discussed this rejected limitation immigrants into England. same speech and The Times of 4 February 1902 In the period the British press occupied supported Zangwill's approach. Sixty-three itself with the position of Rumanian Jews. representatives of the English press attended Special issues, under the title 'Rumanian the Fifth Congress, representing among them Bulletin', in support of the Jews of Rumania, the big daily papers and quite a number of were published and included letters of sym? provincial ones. Again some of the papers pathy by Joseph Chamberlain, theArchbishop supported Zionism, others doubted its practi? of Canterbury, Sir Charles Dilke, Herbert cality. A strange comment is found in the Gladstone, Asquith, and others. It is interesting Manchester Courier (quoted in the Jewish World, that Chamberlain in this connotation used the 10 January 1902), which saw in 'Zionism term 'The Jewish People', which was not the crown of all national movements of the acceptable at all to the Jewish leaders. world' and criticised the Congress for not using Hebrew as its official language. Immigration Complexities

The British covered the Commis? H press Royal sion meetings and discussed the issues raised by The problem of alien immigration into it. It is very likely that one of the main reasons was an England important issue among the for the support by some English papers of the public and press during the last years of the East Africa project was its intention to divert century.30 A considerable number of papers the waves of immigration from England to that followed with alarm the statistics of European area. Chamberlain, who was the main negotia? 30 tor with Herzl and in connection On alien immigration, see Surveys of L. J. Greenberg Greenberg in the Jewish Tear Book 1896-1897 to with El Arish and East Africa, in his public L. The in 1904-1905; Gartner, Jewish Immigrant speeches supported the limitation of Jewish England, 1870-1914, London, 1960; John A. immigration into England (Jewish Chronicle, Garrard, The English and the Immigration, London, 18 December and see also 1971; Royal Commission on Alien Immigration? 1903, p. 22, J.C., Report and Minutes of Evidence, London, 1903. 23 December 1904, p. 13). The British Press and Zionism in Herzl's Time 99

The alien immigration issue was very much was the final goal. The Times, in an article on linked with the position of Russian Jews and 28 August 1903, objected to the project for a the persecutions which culminated in the several reasons. Quite number of papers Kishinev pogrom inApril 1903. But theBritish doubted if the Jews could be farmers, others press was highly concerned with the Russian were concerned with the British character of penetration in the Middle East through schools, the East Africa protectorate. The British press monasteries, and churches.31 This penetration also dealt with the resignation of Sir Charles and its connection with Zionism was discussed Eliott, the High Commissioner of the Protector? in various papers and periodicals. Particularly ate of East Africa, who wrote in an article in the interesting is the article 'Pan-Slavism and Nineteenth Century (September 1904) that Zionism' in the Edinburgh Review (quoted in the Uganda was not Palestine and he doubted the Jewish Chronicleof 13 March 1903), which feasibility of the project. Another British indicated that Russian circles were feeling colonial administrator, who served in Africa, concerned about the Jewish development in Sir Harry Johnston, objected to the project for Palestine and that the steps taken against the various reasons, but mainly because of his were an Zionist movement in Russia outcome belief that the only solution was Palestine (The of it. Another article in the Globe (quoted in the Times, 1 September 1903).32 Jewish Chronicle, 10 July 1903) stated that As already mentioned, Lucien Wolf was the Russia was worried about German penetration leading opponent of the project, Zangwill the con? into Asia Minor, and the Jews should be main supporter. Among the other supporters cerned about the Russian activities designed we find Herbert Samuel (Jewish World, to penetrate the area. 4 September 1903, p. 472), Lord Rothschild (JewishWorld, 28 August 1903, p. 453), and Dr. M. D. Eder, who later became the member British East Africa Project of the Zionist Executive in Palestine (Jewish The Kishinev pogroms received very wide World, 20 November 1903). coverage in the British press. The plight of Russian and its Jewry consequences brought I concern to British public opinion, and it is not surprising that British political circles began In July 1904 Herzl died. The important to look for some solution to this issue. On 20 newspapers mentioned it in a few lines. The a May 1903 Chamberlain, in talk with Green Manchester Guardian (5 July 1904), the West? berg, raised the possibility of settling Jews in minsterGazette (4 July 1904), theDaily News East Africa. As Colonial Secretary he was (5 July 1904), and theDaily Telegraph (quoted interested in settling British East Africa with in Die Welt, 8 July 1904, p. 23) published as a white settlers; political figure, who advo? editorials in which they stated that Zionism cated limitation of immigration into the had lost its greatest leader. Some of them British Isles, he wanted to divert the immigrants believed that he was irreplaceable and referred to that continent. While most of the East to his unique position in Jewish history. African English newspapers joined the British The Times published a letter to the editor by was settlers there in their opposition to the project, the Poet Laureate, Alfred Austin, who the reaction of most of the English newspapers captivated by Herzl's personality, though he was positive. The Morning Post (25 August was not convinced that the Zionist venture 1903), the Daily Chronicle (26 and 27 August was justified (8 July 1904). 1903), and theDaily Telegraph (31August 1903) At the meeting of the Jewish Historical were positive towards the project, though some Society of England on 6 July 1904, Lucien of them looked on it as a temporary solution. Wolf eulogised Herzl and expressed his admira Most of the newspapers agreed that Palestine 32 On reactions to the project in East Africa and 31 See D. Hopwood, Russian Presence in Syria and England, see Robert G. Weisbord, African Z*?n9 Palestine, 1843-1914, Oxford, 1969. Philadelphia, 1968, pp. 80-97, 115-141. 100 BenjaminJoffe

tion for his person and indicated his important editorials. Zionism during HerzPs period position in Jewish history, his dedication, became a familiar issue in the British press. even an and his being the first democratic leader of It became internal political issue. Jewry in modern times (J.C., 8 July 1904). Herzl and his followers paved the way for the Summing up, we can say that Herzl and great work of Dr. Chaim Weizmann and his political Zionism in his time got fair and under? followers, since 1915, which led to the Baifour standing treatment by the British press. Declaration and the British involvement in Especially in Herzl's last few years, owing to Palestine, which was a very important step the fact that Zionism was so much connected towards the Jewish State. Without the great with the persecution of Jews in Rumania and preparatory work of the Zionists in England at Russia and with the alien immigration prob? the time of Herzl, there would have been very as as lem, the coverage grew steadily, well the little chance ofWeizmann's success.