There is a solution for this problem. This solution is Zionism. Give to the Jews a footing on their own soil, house and home of their own! Palestine (and gradually the thinly populated neighbouring districts) can become a great outlet for Jewish population: Palestine can again be made to “blossom like a rose,” and be capable of supporting a great population as in the glorious days of _David_ and _Solomon_. Vast tracts of the so-called Syrian Desert are only regions deforested, and wherever the hum of men comes peacefully, the arid soil bursts into life. The plains of the _Hauran_, the villages of the _Jordan_, and the land of _Gilead_ would form one of the richest and largest food-producing areas in the world. Palestine can again become a centre. Napoleon I. and Alexander the Great, in their days, recognized this country as the key to the gate between West and East. The latter won it and penetrated to the Punjab; the former failed and had to go home again. But whatever value Palestine possessed in those days is immensely enhanced now by the vast extension of European civilization and industry over Africa, Australia, India and all the East, and by steam power, railways, the telegraph and the Suez Canal, which have shortened distances, and made the world so very small in comparison with what it was before; so that Palestine is now ten times more valuable and is suited by her position to become a blessed and happy country. Now the present situation is full of possibilities and significance. Great developments have taken place in connection with the old home of the Jewish nation. This is the hour of the Zionist. The time has come to act. History will condemn the Zionists if they do not use their present opportunity. But what can their activity be? The reply has been given by the Programme of Zionism, the Basle Programme, adopted at the First Congress, in 1897:―― “_The object of Zionism is to establish for the Jewish people a home in Palestine secured by public law._ “_The Congress contemplates the following means to the attainment of this end:――_ “1. _The promotion, on suitable lines, of the colonization of Palestine by Jewish agricultural and industrial workers._ “2. _The organization and binding together of the whole of Jewry by means of appropriate institutions, local and international, in accordance with the laws of each country._ “3. _The strengthening and fostering of Jewish national sentiment and consciousness._ “4. _Preparatory steps towards obtaining government consent, where necessary, to the attainment of the aim of Zionism._”