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
Soon after the outbreak of the war, the Zionist leaders in England had
attempted to come to an understanding with those indifferent to their
cause and with the so-called anti-Zionists, in order to render possible,
without renouncing the principles of Zionism, collaboration in working
out a practical scheme in Palestine.
All these motives led the leaders of English Zionism to request the
general organization to delegate here two of their representatives
――namely, Dr. Tschlenow of Moscow and the author, for the purpose
of assisting in the important work to be done in this country. They
arrived in London shortly before the end of the year 1914.
Space does not allow us to describe the work of these three years in
detail; we must therefore confine our attention to the chief features.
In the course of the first few months the work consisted in a searching
test of the attempts in hand: this test yielded a perfect agreement and
a verification of all reports made. In the early months of 1915 there
were new conferences with many leading personalities, with favourable
results. In March, 1915, Dr. Tschlenow, Dr. Weizmann, and the author
went to Paris, after Dr. Weizmann had previously visited Paris
again and again on Zionist business. Attention was then confined to
Jewish circles, and so far as non-Jewish circles were concerned a
certain general enquiry appeared to be necessary. At the same time,
attempts were made through conferences with a group of leading Jewish
personalities in London who stood aloof from Zionism, to bring about
an understanding. The Zionist delegation which was in charge of
these negotiations and this correspondence was composed of Dr. E. W.
Tschlenow, Dr. Moses Gaster, Mr. Joseph Cowen, Mr. Herbert Bentwich,
and the author. As an understanding just then appeared impossible,
the negotiations were postponed until further notice. Dr. Tschlenow
shortly afterwards left England, after a stay of five to six months,
and returned to Russia. At the meeting of the Zionist Committee in
Copenhagen and at the Zionist meetings that took place in Russia, Dr.
Tschlenow was able to report that the political efforts in England
had filled him with the best hopes. The Author remained in England and
devoted himself, in addition to propaganda, to the political task in
which Weizmann’s unwearied efforts became more and more important. The
period 1915‒1916 was more one of preparation than one of execution:
Zionism had to be strengthened from within, the societies in London and
the Provinces had to be maintained, new societies had to be created,
pamphlets and books had to be written and published; externally, the
work consisted in finding new sympathisers, and in an enlightening
propaganda wherever a proper opportunity offered itself. The
correspondence with the Zionist leaders and organizations in Russia
and America became more active and the relations ever closer. In London
a number of talented young Zionist writers and workers had grouped
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