History of Zionism, 1600-1918, Vol. 2 (of 2)Sokolow, Nahum
History
History of Zionism, 1600-1918, Vol. 2 (of 2)
Sokolow, Nahum
Jews -- Restoration; Zionism -- History
The Right Hon. Lord Robert Cecil, P.C., K.C., M.P., who was received
with loud cheering, said: “I have come here with the greatest possible
pleasure at the request of those who represent, or who have led the
representation of the Zionist movement of this country, to offer to
you, and to all Zionism, my hearty congratulation on the event which
you are celebrating to-day. And perhaps you will allow me to mention in
connection with these congratulations, not only your Chairman, but also
Mr. Nahum Sokolow and Dr. C. Weizmann, who have done so much for the
cause that we all have at heart this afternoon. Surely all of us must
feel what a very striking gathering the present one is. The keynote
of our meeting this afternoon is liberation. We welcome among us not
only the many thousands of Jews that I see, but also representatives
of the Arabian and Armenian races who are also in this great struggle
struggling to be free. Our wish is that Arabian countries shall be for
the Arabs, Armenia for the Armenians, and Judea for the Jews. Yes, and
let us add, if it can be so, let Turkey, real Turkey, be for the Turks.
I should like to be allowed to say that the part that this country is
taking in this movement is not a new thing. I venture to claim for this
country that in supporting Zionism it has been merely carrying out its
traditional policy. To me, at any rate, it seems that there are two
great foundations upon which the policy of this country has always
been based. I believe that they are often described by the two words
‘Liberty and Justice.’ Perhaps, more accurately they may be called
the supremacy of the Law and Liberty, for, be well assured, if we are
ever to obtain that security which we have been recently told is so
important for us, if we are ever to lift European civilization and
national relations in Europe out of the anarchy in which they at
present are, it must be by the same means by which we have secured
liberty and happiness in each country, namely, by the supremacy of Law.
And it was because the invasion of Belgium, the lawless invasion of
Belgium, was felt by the true instincts of the British people to be an
attack upon the principle of Law, because they recognized that that was
a real blow at the heart of civilization, that they felt then, and they
feel now, that until that outrage has been expiated it is impossible
even to think of talking of the terms of peace. As for the second
foundation of which I have spoken, and which has more practical bearing
on our proceedings this afternoon, may I say this, we hear a great deal
of a new word: ‘self-determination. ’ Well, I don’t know that it is a
new thing. It certainly is not new in the British Empire. The Empire
has always striven to give to all the peoples that make it up the
fullest measure of self-government of which they are capable. We
have always striven to give to all peoples within our bounds complete
liberty and equality before the Law. We are adjured to respect the
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