Before the last congress (1903) an offer was made to the Zionists by the British Government of a grant of land in British East Africa for the purpose of an autonomous Jewish settlement, un der Jewish local administration, and general British control. With the distinct understand ing that no abandonment of the Palestinian plans was implied, the offer was referred to a commis sioner for investigation. Of great significance, too, is considered the promise of the Russian Government. conveyed in a letter of M. de Plehve to Dr. Herzl. to place no obstacle to the Zionist movement, and to use its influence with the Sultan on behalf of the plan.
The Zionist movement has aroused and con tinues to hold the devotion of a large part of the Jewish people. There are at present 300.000 pay ing memberrof the Zionist organization, which consists of more than 1000 constituent societies, over 900 of these being in Russia. At the last convention of the American Federation of Zion ists. under the presidency of Dr. Richard Gott hell. the total number of American Zionist so cieties was reported as 250. The reformed clergy as a class and the great financiers have shown strong opposition to Zionism: on the other hand, many leaders of thought and literary men, such as 1%lax Nordnu and Israel Zangwill, are promi nently identified with the movement.
Consult, for early Zionist projects: Publica tions of the interim)? Jewish Historical Society, No. S: Laurence Oliphant, The Land of Gilead (London, ISSO) : and Graetz, Gesehichte der Ju de?? (Leipzig, 1853-70). The annals of the Zionist movement since 1895 are to be found in periodi cal piplieations: The Jewish Chronicle (Lon don) ; Die Welt (Vienna). the official Zionist organ; The Mecca/wen (New York) : and in the publications of the American Federation of Zion ists. Consult also: Herzl, Der Rustler Kimgress (Vienna, : .4111'6, Die national(' Wirderge hurt der .luden (Berlin. 1897) Farbsteirt, /)r-r ZiOrliSM us and din dudenfrage (Berne, 1597) ; and articles by Dr. Ilerzl in Contemporary Re view (London. 1897 ) ; by I. Zangwill in ros inopoliR (ib., 1597) and Contemporary Review 1k, 1599 ; and by Emil Reich in Nineteenth Century/ (lb., 1897 ).