been eagerly brought up, whilst the great opportunities which Palestine offers to them as others, are persistently overlooked. We are told that Palestine is too small, and fantastic schemes are constantly being sprung on us which speak of new territories waiting to receive immediately millions of Jews. Names of exotic countries are tossed at the public and plans involving millions are lightly and without a shred of expert knowledge discussed. We have never claimed that Palestine as it is today is capable of receiving immigrants in the millions. What we did, and still do claim, is that the absorptive capacity of Palestine, even of Palestine west of the Jordan, could be increased many times over.”
Discussing the work of his bureau, Dr. Weizmann in his report declared:
“The Central Bureau has enabled German Jews to take up work on the land by (a) building new houses for the accommodation of 1,500 people in existing settlements, (b) engaging instructors, (c) advising immigrants at the information offices in Tel Aviv, Haifa and Jerusalem, (d) organizing their transfer to the land.”
AIDING SETTLERS
“The Central Bureau is encouraging the establishment of industrial concerns by extending credits to manufacturers. The loans average £100 to £200. Smaller loans (£30 to £50) are given to artisans and petty traders. We hope to be able substantially to increase this amount from the proceeds of current collections.”
Dr. Weizmann announced that the bureau is about to launch three corporations for the colonization of German Jews: an irrigation company, a rural settlement company and a suburban settlement company.
“The permanent settlement on the land of immigrants from Germany without means calls for other methods,” Dr. Weizmann continued. “It is essential that at least 1,000 of the 1,600 young people now being trained in the settlements as agricultural laborers shall be permanently settled within the next few months, and so spared the necessity after completing their training of remaining hired laborers for years to come, shifting from settlement to settlement in search of employment.”
FURTHER WATER FOUND
A complete change in the attitude toward the water resources of Palestine has been brought about by recent geological and hydrological surveys, making possible intensive cultivation of the land, the report further states Water could be drilled for inland, in the valleys and the hills, and a number of subterranean springs have been discovered. Intense cultivation is a problem of importance to the Jewish people, since that would enable the settlement unit to be reduced.
In view of that possibility, in order to enlarge the area available for the settlement of German Jews, it is intended to found the irrigation company, which will provide openings for hundreds of settler families. Loans will be granted for the purchase of cattle and poultry and the erection of additional farm buildings.
“An additional expenditure of £40,000 (£40 per head) would ensure the permanent settlement of 1,000 German immigrants without means,” stated Dr. Weizmann.
SCIENTISTS CAN BE ABSORBED
Of the problem of scholars and scientists Dr. Weizmann declares:
“Whether a considerable number of these scientists and scholars, older and younger, can be given facilities for work in Palestine, is solely a question of funds. While it is true that our University in Jerusalem is not yet completely equipped, it could even now if means were available offer opportunities for teaching and research to Jewish scholars and scientists from Germany. This applies equally to the Haifa Technical Institute.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
