The Complete Diaries of Theodor Herzl (Volumes 1 - 5) [4]

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The Complete Diaries of Theodor Herzl

LRN

Cn ARE

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The Complete Diaries o f THEODOR

HERZL

Edited by

Raphael Pata Translated by

HARRY Z O H N

V O L U M E 1V

T H E HERZL PRESS T H O M A S YOSELO FF New York

London

©

1960

by The Theodor Herzl Foundation, Inc.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 60-8594

Thomas Yoseloff, Publisher 1 1 East g6th Street New York 16, N . Y.

Thomas Yoseloff Ltd. 123 New Bond Street London W . 1 , England

Printed i n the U n i t e d States o f America

Con tent s Volum e 1V

Page Book Eleven

April g, 1go2—-July 2 1 ,

1902

1271

Book Twelve

July 25, 1g02—-August 2 2 , 1 9 0 2

1811

Book Thirteen

August 2 2 , 1go2-]January 1%, 1903

1349

Book Fourteen

January 18, 1gog—March 18, 1 9 0 3

1390

Book Fifteen

March 18, 1903-May 1 3 , 1903

1441

Book Sixteen

March 1 4 , 1903-J uly

30, 1903

1489

Boo k Seventeen

August 7, 1gog-December 12,

1903

1516

Book Eighteen

December 1 2 , 1903-May 16, 1904

1577

Book Eleven

April g, Vienna I came t o draft the following letter t o Lord Rothsch ild i n a peculiar way. Today I saw the new work of an obviously gifted writer whom I had hitherto refused t o read because some time ago he had tried t o get into the N . Fr. Pr. through the back door and by repulsive machinations, and t o wangle my support by making friends with my late brother-in-law. This doesn’t mean that he has n o talent, and maybe I a m unfair to his work, even though I a m just

toward him. So I presented the question t o myself how the m a n would have had to proceed i n order to w i n me, w h o have helped

and am helping so many young people without pull. H e would have had t o entrust himself t o m y loyalty i n an open and aboveboard manner. And suddenly, by a leap of thought, i t came t o m y mind that perhaps I , too, blundered by having Lady Battersea and others intervene between Lord Rothschild and myself. Therefore I a m writing h i m , but, b y way o f precaution, a dread-

ful letter which would defame him if he should choose t o make use of i t against me. Milord:

M y name is probably familiar t o you from the Zionist movement to which the newspapers have given sufficient attention. I am writing you i n German, because I don’t express myself so fluently i n English and have reason t o assume that you understand German well. I t would be useful i f I had a conference with you, and I beg you to give m e a n opportunity for one i n London. I a m prepared t o

come there for this purpose. I won't deny that this request for a conference is hard for me, because I have been frequently and grossly attacked by people who are on your side. B u t i f I consider how many poor women’s and children’s tears could be dried, t o how many unfortunates of our people some relief could be brought, I w i l l gladly humble myself. Your position, Milord, is a peculiar, i n fact, a virtually unique one. I confess that I did n o t know this before. I took you only for a 1273

1274 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL rich man. B u t i n the course of the years I have come t o know your power. I believe that outside of yourself only few people have such a knowledge of your power as I have.

April 13, V i e n n a

Mahmud Nedim telephoned me t o say that he had t o speak with me. Yesterday evening I w e n t t o see him, and he read me a letter from Tahsin ordering, on the Sultan’s instructions, that the £200 I had donated t o the Hejaz Railroad be returned t o me. I explained the m a t t e r t o Mahmud Nedim, saying that this was the £200 which the Sultan had given t o me and which I didn’t want t o keep. However, the Sultan obviously wanted me t o keep i t . Now I would give i t t o the poor. Tomorrow Mahmud Nedim will come t o my home and bring me the money. I shall donate i t t o our causes. *

%

%

Today I am writing Vambéry about it, complaining about his Tahsin.

April go, Vienna Today I finished my novel Altneuland.

May 3g, Vienna Letter t o the S u l t a n : * Sire:

I have the honor t o submit the following proposal t o Y.I.M.’s lofty wisdom. I thought I foresaw a certain difficulty for the government i n the

fact that the young people of Turkey who go abroad for their ®

I n French i n the original.

T H E COMPLET E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1275 higher education are sometimes led astray b y bad example and unresistingly accept revolutionary ideas. The dilemma seems t o present itself like this: either n o t t o furnish them advanced scientific training—or expose them to all the dangers of political seduction. Nevertheless, a way o u t can be found, and I humbly permit myself t o submit i t t o Y.I.M.’s judgment. We Jews play a certain role i n university life all over the world. The universities of all countries number Jews among their professors, and we have great scholars i n all fields of learning. W e could create a Jewish University i n Y.I.M.’s Empire, for

example i n Jerusalem. ‘The Ottoman students would no longer need t o go abroad. They would stay i n the country and would obtain the most advanced

scientific training without ceasing t o be under the laws of their country. The Jewish University should bring together all the scholarly qualities of the best universities, technical schools, and schools of agriculture. The institution will offer nothing unless i t is of the very first rank. Only then can i t render real service t o scholarship, t o the students, and t o the country. I am n o t going into detail about this plan as long as I don’t know whether Y.I.M. is pleased t o take an interest i n it. I hope that this proposal w i l l in n o way give offense and that it will a t least demonstrate my sincere devotio n. I am Y.I.M.’s most humble and obedien t servant,

May 3, Vienna

Dr. T h . H .

Cove ring letter t o Ibrah im: * You r Exce llenc y:

The enclosed lette r will, I believe, once again show H . I.M. my desire desir e t o be of servi service ce t o h i m . * I n French i n the origin al.

1276 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL T h e execution of the project would require n o financial sacrifices o n the part of the Imperial govt. I f H . I . M . wishes t o hear my explanation, I can come t o Constantinople around Pentecost. Hoping you are i n good health, I beg Your Excellency to accept

the assurances of my high esteem. Dr. Th. H .

M a y g, 1go2

Letter to Izzet: *

Your Excellency: I fear that I have been a bit worked against and a bit forgotten. B u t I believe that I have found a method o f replying to those

who may present me in an unfavorable light. The method 1s simply t o offer a great service to H . I . M . This is to eradicate the unhealthy

Spirit. I n a word: to create a Jewish university, embracing all the

branches of scholarship in their highest and most modern form— t o create this model university in your country! The expenses will present no difficulties. What do you think of it? I f H.I.M. wishes t o summon me, we could a t the same time chat about one thing and another. Kindly accept the assurances of my high esteem.

Dr. T h . H . May g, 1 9 0 2 I'am also writing Vambéry the substance of the letter. May 4, o n the train between Dresden and Berlin

Letter t o Court-Marshal Eulenburg or the Adjutant-General on duty: ®

I n French i n the original.

T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1277 Your Excellen cy:

May I be permitted t o recall myself t o mind from Constantino ple and Jerusalem (1898)? I arrived here today and will stay a t the Palace Hotel until Tuesday or Wednesday. H . M . the Kaiser may also still remember me and the Zionist movement i n which he was interested a t that time. A few weeks ago I was in Constantinople again o n invitation of H . M . the Sultan. I would be very happy i f I might have the honor of being received i n audience by H . M . the Kaiser i n order t o give a n oral report o n some things that could b e of value to German politics as well. Begging Your Excellency t o accept the expression of m y deepest respect and devotion,

Dr. T h . H .

M a y 14, Vienna

The Kaiser sent me word through Court-Marsha l Eulenburg that he was sorry, b u t he had t o go t o Strassburg. Biilow sent his card t o my hotel. I spoke with a director of the Deutsche Bank through which we should like t o buy the Deutsche Palistina bank. W e are beginnin g to get into more solid financia l circles, b u t are still a b i t comical . I made the acquaintance of First Lieuten ant, ret., Said Ruete, a grands on of the Sultan o f Zanzib ar, curren tly a n official o f the

Deutsche Bank. I liked his project of planting c o t t o n i n Mesopotamia. I shall hire him. I also m e t Dr. Franz Oppe nheim er, the cooperative colonies man, and liked h i m very well too. Green berg teleph oned me a t Berli n t o say that the A l i e n Commission*® of Parli amen t was going t o summ on me as a witness. However, by today, a week later , noth ing has come. ®

I n Engl ish i n the original.

1278 T H E COMPL ETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R HERZL I think that Rothschil d and the Anglo-Jewish people have worked against i t with might and main. &

*

*

Wellisch reports under the date of the

10th

that Izzet has told

h i m o f a letter to me. They might want t o request a proposal for

the consolidation of the debt from me. Aspettiamo [Let us wait]! I think i t is a delusion. They will send for me a few more times so as t o play me off against other proponents.

May 18, Vienna

Through Wellisch I received today the following inénarrable

[unspeakable] letter: *

Constantin ople, M a y 1 2 , 1902 Dear Sir:

Your letter concerning a request for the creation of an Israilite University i n Jerusalem has been submitted a t the foot of the Throne. The loyalty and the devotion of the Israilites toward H i s Imperial Majesty the Sultan, m y August Master, and their sympathy for his Empire are an incontestable truth. As the Imperial Governm e n t is a t this m o m e n t occupied with several projects aiming a t the amelioration of the financial situation of the Treasury and of procuring new resources for i t , the help of the Israilite financiers

may be useful for facilitating the Treasury's task. For the purpose of being able usefully t o solicit benefits for the Imperial Government, I request you, on Sovereign orders, t o submit a t the foot of ®

Translator’s Note: I n reproducing this letter in the original French, Herzl

notes that h e is retaining its faulty orthography.

ZL 1279 T H E COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O R HER tion can the Thro ne a list of the services the financiers in ques render i n this connection for the benef it of the State. Kindl y accept the assurance of m y complete regard. A . Izzet .

May 18, Vienn a Letter t o Izzet: *

Your Excellency: I have received the letter which you have done me the honor of addressing t o me on Imperial orders. First of all, I beg you t o be kind enough t o place a t the foot of the Throne the acknowledgment of m y unalterable devotion which prompts me t o a c t and t o seek projects useful t o your august master. But all these matters—the university as well as the financial affairs—can be treated well only orally. If, then, H . I . M . the Sultan desires t o hear m y projects, I am ready to come to Constantinople next week. This date is suggested

because I have t o go t o London in the month of June. The project of a university a t Jerusalem could serve as a screen for other matters, for H . M . ’ s enemies would impose shackles o n the

execution of any known project for the amelioration of the present situation.

I shall therefore expect word by telegram. I t will, i n any case, take me three or four days t o p u t m y affairs in order prior t o m y departure. Kindly accept the assurance of m y high esteem. Dr. T h . H . P.S. I f I were n o t invited t o come now, i t would be almost impossible for me t o come before the autumn. ®

I n French i n the original.

1280 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

Your Excellency: The enclosed letter is intended to be laid at the foot of the throne. I have good things t o tell, b u t I shall n o t come unless I am invited. I have been a b i t offended by the fact that m y modest present (the Arabic typewriter) has not been accepted. I f I a m not called now, I believe that I would n o t b e able to

come before autumn, and that would be more time lost which could be used t o render you services. However, H.M. is the master, and as he decides so i t will be. Assuring Your Excellency of my sincere devotion, Herzl.

May 18

Constantinople, May 23, 1 9 0 2 M y Dear Doctor Herzl:

Pollak s e n t me word yesterday that I should call o n h i m today. ‘Today's message from Pollak, s e n t on orders, is that with consideration for the effort and expenses of the trip C. wants you t o write him what is t o be done. H e repeated the phrase I have underlined (which is incomprehensible to me, b u t must refer to a passage i n your letter), and

added that you should write and tell me all the things you can do; he particularly remarked that you should stress your ability t o carry out the consolidat ion better than Rouvier. I f I may permit myself a comment o n Pollak’s communicatio n,

I feel obliged t o remark that its

nature

is really

meant t o

say

that C. is still undecided and therefore is willing t o have detailed proposals made t o him. Moreover, I think I can tell from the instructions for you t o write about all the things you can do that

they want

to

give you t o understand that you m u s t make efforts

t o cause a summons t o be issued.

R Z L 1281 T H E COM PLE TE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E The remark concerning the conso lidatio n is proba bly mean t t o indicate that the main importance is attached t o this.

Kindly permit me, dear doctor, the expression of my deepest

respect.

Ever faithfu lly yours, Weber . M y telegraphic reply of May 27, Vienna:

Tell Pollak that I spare no pains on Cohn’s matter and that trifling traveling expenses, for which I shall accept n o reimbursem e n t , aren't worth talking about. I consider writing pointless. Therefore, if I am not called t o factory by end of week, I shall go t o London for prolonged stay. *

%

*

Today (May 28, Vienna) I am wiring: As supplement t o yesterday's telegram please n o t e that I intend t o carry o u t the particularly desired transaction i n a different way, one much more favorable for Cohn. However, I f I d o not visit factory now, there is n o point i n writ-

ing a t the m o m e n t , because then I cannot visit factory until autumn, and by then the market situation may be different, so that all proposals will take a different form. Seft.

Constantinople, May 28, 1go2 M y Dear Docto r Herzl:

After I had shown h i m your telegram which arrive d today, Pollak told me t o write you the follow ing: * Accede t o Leopold's desire and write that you are ready to make the consolidation unde r most advantageous cond ition s for the gove rnme nt, that you are read y to form a nativ e synd icate for the ®

I n French in the origi nal.

1282 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL exploitation of the mines, that you are ready t o form a syndicate for the creation of a bank that could render great services to the

government, and you will have an open door for entering.” H e told me the foregoing after I had translated the telegram, whereupon I requested his permission t o take down what he had told me in the adjoining room (there were three people with him). H e agreed and I did so. When I returned and read h i m what I had written, he approved of i t and asked me if we had a telegraphic code. I answered that we had only few code words, which was why I was writing, but that I would announce the letter b y telegram. Today, Pollak spoke incisively and with more warmth than usual; I had the impression that he would like t o see you here now. However, as we know, it’s hard t o tell when he is speaking sincerely.

Kindly permit me, dear doctor, the expression of m y deepest respect.

Ever faithfully yours, Weber.

June 4, Paris Again i n Paris.

Now I am an aging and famous man. The days of my youth, despite their spells of melancholy, were preferable. *

*

%

The success of inferior men is acceptable t o the man of worth so long as he himself passes through the crowd unnoticed. B u t

he feels offended by the success of the inferior i f he himself has recognit ion. Fortunat ely, the latter case occurs infinitel y seldom, or only in old age (Schopenhauer, Ibsen).

Sometimes i t happens that a man of worth is active i n various

T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1283 fields. Then he is certain t o be recognized only i n the field that 1s not a t the real center of his personality. Thus, for example, I am i n a field where I have accomplished next t o nothing intellectually, b u t have merely displayed average political skill, such as is attainable b y any horse-dealer, i n a matter which is crystal-clear t o anyone b u t a blockhead—in the Jewish

Question I have become world-famous as a propagandist. As a writer, particularly as a playwright, I am held t o be nothing, less than nothing. People call me only a good journalist. And yet I feel, I know, that I am or was a writer of great ability, one who simply didn’t give his full measure because he became disgusted and discouraged.

June 4, Paris Here 1 received the invitatio n of the Royal Commission for Alien Immig ration, * before whom I am t o give evidence* as a witnes s.* I t means an encounter—fight or recon ciliati on—w ith Lord Rothschild, and is therefore of tremendous importance. I am in-

struc ting m y faith ful Gree nberg and Cowe n to arran ge a meet ing

with R . for me prio r t o m y exam inati on.

June 6, Paris Lette r to Izzet: ** You r Exc elle ncy :

Co nfir min g my last telegram fro m Vienna, dated Ma y 28 and addressed t o the bearer of this lett er, I have the hon or of inf orm ing you that T am ready t o devote my self to the que stio n of the consolidation of the deb t i n accord ance w i t h the desire expressed by ® I n Eng lish i n the original. *®

I n French i n the orig ina l.

1284 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL H . I . M . the Sultan that the most advantageous conditions for the

Imp. govt. be obtained. I a m also prepared to have m y friends set u p a syndicate for the exploitation of the mines and the establish. ment of a new bank i n Turkey, the administrative board of which will be composed in part of natives. The services which we shall render and which H . I . M . i n his lofty wisdom will appreciate will have t o be the measure of the favors which he in his generosity will accord t o the Jewish people. From here I shall go t o London in order t o settle the terms of the project with my friends. I shall stay there till about the 25th of June, after which I hope t o take a vacation. I n the meantime, letters or telegrams may be addressed as follows: Dr. Th. H . c / o Sir Francis Montefiore, Bart.,

42 Upper Grosvenor St. London W . Begging Y.E. t o accept the assurance of m y high

esteem,

Yours devotedly, Dr. Th. H .

June g, London What I need now is the condensation of my vaporous organization—the liquefaction, as i t were, o f that mass o f a i r called the

Zionist Movement. "To that end I am pursuing the following paths: 1) By giving evidence* before the Royal Commission whose perplexity* caused b y the horns of a dilemma I want to bring out:

either a break with the glorious principle of free asylum, or leaving

the native working class unprotected. My way out—if they ask for it—is the creation of a Chartered Company* in Cyprus. A t the same time I shall make a semi-official attempt t o establish ®

I n English i n the original.

RZ L 1285 IE S OF T H E O D O R HE T H E CO MP LE TE DI AR be the ious wi th me—and this may fur is e H R. rd Lo th wi t tac con

psychological mo me nt

to

make peace. When he was asked

in

the

be ing called, he said tha t I was Commission why he boggled a t my a demagogue, a windbag.* n for the exp loit atio n of 2) By tryi ng t o for m a min ing concer ken wit h Zan gwi ll and the Tur kish mines. I have already spo stockbroker* Myers at Cowen, and this evening I shall mee t the oo

Zan gwil l’s.

Lon don The night of the gth t o the 1 0 t h of June. A t §:00a .m. When I returned to the hotel after the theatre this evening, I found this wire from my wife:

Dad seriously ill. Come Vienna immediately. That means death. I realized this from the very first moment.

What with inquiring about the next train, telegraphing and packing, t w o hours went by. The rest of the night will be harder to pass. |

This book will have t o bear the brunt of it. I believe that a t all

times I have been a devoted, grateful, and respectful son t o m y

father, who has done infinitely much for me.

Having educated and supported me for such a long time, how much he went through with me, how he supported me and comforted me! T h e travel hort vels o n which I learned so much I owe t o him, all o f :

Now, when he is closing his eyes, I am not a t hom e. I always hastened t o tell my parents all agreeab le news whi le [J

* I n English i n the orig ina l.

t

I

>

1286 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL M y dear one did n o t get t o read the conclusion of m y novel Altneuland. How greatly I remain in his debt, although I have n o t been a bad son. What a support he was t o me all the time, what a counsellor! H e stood by my side like a tree. Now the tree 1s gone. I n view of what I have lost i t is foolish for me t o feel sorry that he hadn’t learned that the day after tomorrow I was to have had a

talk with Lord Rothschild that might have turned decisive for Zionism.

out to

be

O f course, that talk, as well as the testimony before the Royal

Commission, 1s oft now. I don’t believe in the “serious illness.” They would have concealed that from me. Julie's telegram means death!

J u n e 10, H a n s ’ birthday

O n the boat between Dover and Ostend. Before my departure from London I received the doctor's telegram:

Father passed away after a stroke, suddenly and without pain. I had secretly nursed a glimmer of hope that i t was just an attack o f pneumonia .

Now I gradually remember things about him, m y dear one, golden one, good one. I think that when you have an arm shot away, you don’t feel i t a t first, then i t hurts terribly, and then you forget.

June 1 1 , on the Ostend Express, nearing Vienna Now I'shall soon be in Vienna where I shall have the pleasure of burying m y father. Wolffsohn wanted t o get o n a t Cologne and accompany me. I didn’t let him. For he can’t help me. During these 2 9 hours I have been licking my paws like a runover dog.

ZL 1287 T H E COM PLE TE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HER Have also made a decision. I f my moth er is willin g, I shall move t o Londo n. What is there left for me i n Vienna? June 2 0 , Alt-Aussee Everything passes. I am sitting once more a t m y writing desk of last summer, and all I have left of my father is his picture which stands in front of me. H e is completely gone from m y life. Only this picture tells me how he looked, he whom I shall never see again.

Letter t o the S u l t a n : *

Sire:

I have the honor t o inform Y.I.M. of m y father’s death. I t is this sad event that recalled me from London where I was i n the process of having m y friends create a financial syndicate for the familiar

projects. Now I see by the papers that M . Rouvier’s project has been accepted. Surely the matter of the consolidation ought t o b e kept separate from the projects. There remains only the exploitation

of the mines and the creation of a new bank for the Ottoman countries. But I do n o t know i f Y.I.M. still wishes m y friends t o attend t o this. Therefore I humbly request Y.I.M. t o let me know your exalted decision. O n the goth of June I leave here for London where I hope to stay for about two weeks. Having already prepared the

ground, i t will be easy for me t o accomplish something i n a short time i f I have something tangible i n my hands. I have the honor, Sire, to remain Y . I . M . ’ s most h u m b l e a n d obedien t servant,

Dr. T h . H . * I n French i n the origina l.

1288 T H E COMPL ETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R HERZL June 2 0 , 1 9 0 2 Cove ring letter t o Ibrah im.*

Your Excellency: I have had the great sorrow of losing my dear father. This sad event has brought me back from London suddenly. I m u s t return there on June goth. H.I.M.’s orders will find me until June goth here a t Alt-Aussee, Styria (Austria), and u n t i l July 15th i n care of Sir Francis Montefiore, Bart.,, 42 Upper Grosvenor Street, London W . Begging Your Excellency to accept the assurances of my high regard,

Very devotedly yours, Herzl.

June 2 0 , 1 9 0 2 . Letter t o Izzet:

*

Your Excellency: I have had a great sorrow. M y good father is dead. I had to return from London hastily. Alas, too late. I am now resuming the things I have started, and shall return t o London a t the end of this month.

I learn from the papers that the consolidation according

to

M.

Rouvier’s plan is a definite matter. Therefore i t is a question of

separating this from the projects which you indicated t o me on Imperial orders under date of May 1 2 . But i n order t o be clear about this and n o t take any unnecessary steps, I must receive precise information. Therefore I a m permitting myself to recall t o mind our point of departure.

I n my ®

most

respectful letter

I n French in the original.

to

H.I.M. the Sultan, dated May

T H E COMPL ETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1289 sth, I proposed the establishment of a Jewish Universit y in Jerusalem. I n your written reply, as well as i n an oral message, you received this proposition favorably and demanded in exchange the formation of a syndicate for the exploitation of the mines and the creation of a new bank for the Ottoman countries. Now, in order t o advance seriously the negotiations with m y

financier friends, I need a sort of provisional irade which would state i n principle the disposition to reach a n agreement under the

aforementioned conditions. A clear formula regarding the exploitation of the mines is particularly needed. Today I wrote H.I.M. in the same vein, but without going into the details. I believe that with the aid of m y friends I can serve your interests well, b u t i t is indispensable first of all to establish a definite basis for the negotiations. Your reply will find m e here a t Alt-Aus see, Styria (Austri a) until June goth, and until the 15th o f J u l y a t Londo n, c / o Sir Fr. Monte -

fiore, 42 Upper Grosvenor Street, W . Kindl y accept, Y.E., the assurances of my high regar d and of my devotion. Herz l.

June 2 2 , Alt-Aussee

Wir e from Cre spi:

188 (Ma hm ud Ned im) invi tera pria nt rem ettr e pro jet. Refusez,

exigez étre appelé venir ici traiter directement. [188 (Mahmud Nedim) wil l write you t o reopen project. Refuse Ins ist on bei ng called here to negotiate dir ect ly.]

|

J u n e 24, Alt-Aus see . We llis ch an d Crespi rep ort tha t the Tu rk ish am bassadors at

ondon and Vienna have rec

eived instructions t o come t o an un -

1200 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL derstanding with me. Both have reported back that I had left. I am wiring Kremenezky t o go t o see Mahmud Nedim and tell h i m that I a m ready to go to the Sultan before departing for London.

Julys Aboard the “Pas de Calais,” between Calais and Dover. I am on my way back t o England again. Greenberg has managed* m y appointment with Rothschild for tomorrow, and for the #th inst. my hearing before the Parl. Commission. One might almost assume that I shall now enjoy success, since my father is no longer around t o rejoice a t it. I t has taken me seven years t o be able t o say t o R . what I will say t o h i m tomorrow. During the go hours of my journey thus far I have naturally hatched everything I w i l l say t o h i m and t o the Commission. Also, what w i l l have t o be done i n case of a Yes or a No. O f course, I can also see myself returning t o m y feutlletons with. o u t having achieved my purpose.

July 5, London WhenI left this city, I had one of the blackest nights of my life. When I returned yesterday, I had one of the most successful days. Levontin came t o see me a t noon: an attaché of the Turkish Embassy was looking for m e and waiting at the Trust.

I immediately w e n t t o the City with L . o n the electric underground.* The attaché informed me that the ambassador had instructions from the Sultan, which h e was to communicate to m e a t once.

I asked h i m t o come back i n the afternoon, because I had appoint: ments* now. A t 12:45 I set o u t for N e w Court to see Rothschild. T h e traffic * I n English in the original.

T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1291 jam around the Mansion House suited me nicely, for I didn’t want t o arrive too early. A t o n e o'clock sharp I passed through the gate, had myself announced t o the Lord of Banking Hosts,*

and was shown into a room that had a pronounced commercial look. Boxes of sample merchandise i n the corners, etc. I hadn’t waited even a minute when His Lordship** came 1n, a good-looking, old Anglo-Jewish gentleman. ** We seated ourselves comfortably a t a table, facing each other, and he began t o unpack his bag of nonsense. H e has very attractive, large Jewish eyes, and he is very hard of hearing. I t would be dancing o n a tight-rope i f I were to record all the silly stuff that h e rattled off w i t h great assurance. H e said that two

jackasses sit on the Alien Commission: Evans Gordon, and I don’t know who else. H e called Arnold White a jackass, too. There would never be anti-Semitism i n England, etc. I n France i t had

been another story, etc. H e d i d not believe i n Z i o n i s m . * * (After a few introductory

words in English, we spoke i n German.) H e said h e was n o Zionist. W e would never get Palestine, etc.

H e was an Englishman and wanted t o remain one. H e “desired” that I should say this and that t o the Alien Commission, and n o t say this and the other. This was more than I could take. I had already broken i n with remarks a few times. B u t now I began t o shout h i m down so loudly that he held his tongue, astounded and dazed. “I'will tell the Commission what I think proper and what I am convinced of. That has always been my c u s t o m , and I shall stick t o 1t this time, too. “ I t i s n o t t r u e that the Powers are against our going t o Palestine. Actually, I have made Germany and Russia favorably disposed toward our cause. Engla nd would have n o objec tion, I think. With the Sultan I am persona grata [an acceptable perso n].” ® *¢

Translator’s Note: Herzl's pun o n the Biblica l term for God— Lord of Hosts. I n Engli sh i n the origin al.

1292 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ] “Yes,” he interjected, “of course the Sultan is friendly toward you because you are Dr. Herzl of the Neue Freie Presse.” “Wrong,” I cried. “The Neue Freie Presse doesn’t have a thing to d o with i t . I t s publishers are mortal enemies o f m y Jewish plan,

The word Zionism has n o t been printed i n the Neue Freie Presse t o this day. M y negotiations with the Sultan had nothing whatever t o do with the Neue Freie Presse.” A t that point the idiot wanted to embarrass me, and said:

“What will you reply i f Gordon or someone else asks you whether you know anything about the Anglophobic attitude of the continental press, which 1s in the hands of the Jews and which received £800,000 from the Boers through Leyds?” I answered rudely: “ I assume that this Commission 1s not a gossiping society and that such nonsense won't be brought up. But if i t is, I shall give a sharp answer. I would request that a list of those who have received money be made public. W i t h respect t o my: self, you probably know that I am n o t a journalist who can be bought.” “Yes, I know that,” he said, more reasonably, for his sole purpose in bringing u p this rubbish was t o probe for my sore spot. Surely n o one would dream of asking m e that idiotic question about a

venal press. H e further said that Arnold White and Evans Gordon had called Ime i n

as a crown witness i n order to use m e for support b y saying:

“Dr. Herzl is certainly the exemplary Jew, and he declares that a Jew can never become an Englishman.” “ I t would be stupid arrogance on my part i f I were t o give this Commission a lecture on the characteristics of a real Englishman. I shall simply tell them what frightful misery exists i n the East, and that the people must either die o r get o u t . W e have known

about the Rumanian distress since 'g7; the Congress petitions haven’t received any attention anywhere. I n Galicia things may be even worse. There are more than 4 0 0 , 0 0 0 destitute people there. They, too, will start to move .” Milord said: “ I d o not wish you to tell the Commissio n that.

Otherwise there will be restrictive legislation.”

1293 T H E COM PLET E DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L A t that point I unlimb ered the heavy artille ry: “Certa inly I

shall say it! Most certainly! You can depend on that.”

Whereupon his jaw dropped, he rang a bell, and sent for his brother Leopold. T o him I repeated what had been said, adding that Jewish charity* had become a machine for stifling the cries of distress. Milord wailed: “And that is what he wants t o tell the Commission!” “I would be a mean creature i f I said only things that could lead |

to a restriction of immigration. B u t I would b e one o f those mean creatures to whom the English Jews ought t o erect a monument

of gratitude, because I saved them from an influx of East European Jews and thus perhaps from anti-Semitism. However, out

I have a plan for remedying the situation, and I want to tell i t to the

Commission.” Here Milord interrupted and asked i f I wanted t o have lunch with them. “With pleasure.” A n d we went over to the d i n i n g room, where I met Lord Rosebery’s son and, later, Alfred, the third Rothsc hild, anothe r such genius.

Fatuous talk durin g the meal. Point ing to a portra it of the Elector of Hesse, Leop old told me proud ly that his great-gran dfather had returned some money that had been entrusted to him — "otherwise we woul dn't all be sittin g here. here .”” Aerw ards o n Milord's office, Alfre d told me abou t his high n decor ations : High , what? Roya l Orde rs, 2

first class!” The same Alfred asked me what I wanted t o do for the

Jews. Colo niza tion , fine ] B u t why i n Pale stine? “Pa lest ine sou nds too Jew ish !”

Go negotiate wit h this pack of idio ts! Yet Mil ord is the most inte llig ent of them. After coffee I w e n t over t o his desk and asked: “W ou ld you like t o hear my schem e* now?” * I n English i n the orig ina

l,

1294 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ] “Yes.” I moved my chair close t o his better ear and said: “ I w a n t t o ask the British government for a Colonizatiop Charter.” “Don’t say charter.* The word has a bad sound right now.” “We can call i t whatever you like. I w a n t t o found a Jewish colony i n a British possession.” “Take Uganda!” “No. I can only use t h i s . . . . ” And because there were other people in the room, I wrote on a slip of paper which I am pasting i n here as a souvenir: “ S i n a i P e n i n s u l a , Egyptian Palestine, Cy-

prus.” And I added: “Are you for 1t?” H e thought i t over with a smirk, and said: “Very muchso.” That was the victory. I further wrote o n the piece of paper: “Prevent the Sultan from getting money!” (Rouvier).

H e said: “ I prevented Rumania from getting money. B u t this I can’t do, for the Powers desire i t . They w a n t t o have the railroads built.” I said: “The Sultan offered me Mesopotamia.” H e (astounded): “And you refused?” “Yes.” With this I concluded. Nous sommes gens de revue [We are showmen].** While I was talking with Milord, Leopold sent me an invitation t o his garden-party* on Monday. The premiers from all the colonies would be there. “Is Chamberlain coming?” I asked. “ H e is the only one I'm interested i n . ” Leopold didn’t know. I said: “ I f I ' m through a t the Commission, I ' l l come.” And I left.

* I n English i n the origina l. ®®

Translator’s N o t e : Herzl means t h a t as a dramatist h e knows w h e n t o end 2

scene.

T H E COMPLET E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1295 T o the Turkish ambassador, w h o informed m e that the Sultan

had asked by telegram that I come t o Constantinople immediately, I stated: impossible before Tuesday, because I have the Commission. I said I was prepared to start o u t o n Wednesday, b u t would prefer to get his instructions b y wire because I might b e able t o

arrange things here i n advance. Then, too, the plague had broken o u t , and the quarantine would impede m y movements. The ambassador promised t o telegraph t o this effect.

July g, London

‘Two days ago I had an off day a t the Royal Commission. Je n’étais pas dans m o n assiette [I was o u t o f sorts], spoke a n d understood English badly, and made a number o f mistakes due t o

caution. After the Commissio n I drove out t o Gunnersbu ry to the Roths-

child garden-party,* where I was seen and perhaps did Zionism more good among the upper Jews* by that than b y all m y previous speeches and actions. Dear old Lady Battersea also introduc ed me t o Princess Louise, Duchess of Argyll. The princess conversed with me for a while. %

*

%

Yesterday I repaired the bad impression which I felt I had made a t the Commission heari ng o n Lord James, its chairm an, b y callin g on h i m and telling h i m frank ly every thing that I had cloaked with reserve a t the session. H e thought that I coul d carry o u t the Sina i-El Arish -Cyp rus plan only with the aid of Lord Roth schil d. The Rothschilds wou ld have t o become my agents i n this coun try (Eng land). The y were high ly respected here, where there was n o anti-Semitism .

We must n o t expect any money from the British government

* I n English i n the orig inal .

for

1206 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7]

the project colony. The funds for i t would have t o be supplieg by the Jews. I didn’t go into details regarding the possible constitution of

the Jewish colony. I merely said that i t ought

to

be made attrac.

tive* so that n o t only beggars would come there. I believe Lord James liked the matter better than he cared to show me. A t noon today I shall be a t Lord R.’s again.

July 1 0 , London After we had had lunch yesterday, I went into a private room with Lord Rothschild—to the astonishment of the bank clerks w h o w i l l now probably discover, one and all, their Zionist hearts.

I pledged him t o secrecy and then showed h i m Eulenburg’s letter from Rominten, as well as that o f the Grand D u k e written

in 1898. “ I am doing this, Milord, so that you may see how much of an injustice people have done me. Secondly, so that you may tell the British government: It’s all right to deal with this man, h e doesn't

compromise his friend.” After that I explained t o h i m the plan for a Jewish Company® for Sinai, Egyptian Palestine, and Cyprus. Lord James, I told him, had said that the matter depended o n his (R.’s) cooperation. “Call together the leading figures in the City, organize the Jewish Company,* and you will be rendering a patriotic service to

England. But above all no philanthropy—it m u s t be business.* “Put that in writing!” he said. “ I shall discuss i t with Chamber lain on Friday. B u t under n o circumstances d o I want t o make a big experiment . Just a small one, 25,000 settlers a t the most.”

I said: “ I shall do i t o n a big scale o r not at all.” ®

I n Englis h i n the original.

Z L 1297 THE COM PLE TE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R d Bref [ i n short] , after variou s excha nges w e agree d t h a t I shoul

make a memorandum for him . *

%*

%*

Lette r t o Lord R.:

Dear Lord R o t h s c h i l d :

Yesterday the gentleman down there again urgently telegraphed for me. I had t o answer h i m that I shall leave for there the day after tomorrow, Saturday. I have only hours left i n London. I t is uncertain when 1 can return, for there is the plague down there and I shall probably get detained by the quarantine. A conference with Chamberlain —even i f only for half a n hour—seems to m e o f the highest value.

He can even receive me i n his slippers. Tell h i m that i t could, in any case, be of value t o England i f he sees me before my departure, because I am persona gratissima [a most acceptable person] and can bring u p directly whatever I want, i n c l u d i n g English interests.

I f you let h i m know this today, he w i l l give me an appointment for tomorrow. Naturally i t would be grand i f you were present.

As for the promised plan for the creation of a Jewish colony, I shall prepare i t today. I t w i l l be short and clear. T h e political part, for Chamberlai n, i n English; the financial aspects o f i t s im-

plementation, for you, i n German. You will receive both documents tomorrow mornin g. I'am, M y Lord ,

Yours very faithfully , Herzl.

Julyio

Yesterday I saw the Ambassador, Costaki A n thopulos Pasha, who read me the stup id state telegram. I am past ing i t o n the next

page.

I'had him wire that I am leaving o n Saturday .

1298 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7] Oral communication from Costaki Anthopulos Pasha o n July

in London: * H.M. the S. says that Dr. H . has expressed the desire t o render loyal and faithful services i n regard t o the consolidation of the d e b t . Y o u are instructed t o see h i m a t once a n d t o r e m i n d him— since divulging the matter could be harmful t o the Imp. govt.—

that i n this affair the most absolute discretion is required. I f he i sure that h e can make arrangements for the consolidation of the

debt that are more advantageous t o the Imp. govt. than those proposed by M . Rouvier—since i n continuing a correspondence time would have been lost and the aim would n o t have been under. stood the way i t needs t o be—and o n the condition that these communications would n o t involve any obligations t o the govt, if he were sure that he could come t o an understanding with one of the Israelite banks, and without revealing the purpose of his trip t o Constantinople, you are instructed t o tell h i m that i f he rendered services t o increase the benefits t o the Ministry of Finance and that the efforts made by h i m m e t with Imperial satisfaction—you will tell him that i n accordance with the Imp. govt.’s old tradition concerning the good of its subjects, i t is obvious that H . M . the. will also give the Israelites proofs of sympathy and protection. By

Imp. orders you are instructed to communicate the preceding to Dr. H., and we await your reply as soon as possible.

July 1 2 , London I wasn’t able t o complete the letter and the Jewish Company plan for Lord Rothschild yesterday, because Costaki Anthopulos Pasha, the Turkish Ambassador, came to see me, took a l o t of my time, and read t o me the wire pasted i n here: *

I t does n o t appear from your report that Mr. H . has reached an understanding with the banks and that he has laid any ground work. Since the govt. has just made a decision to consolidate the ®

I n French i n the origin al.

THE COMPLE TE DIARIES OF THEOD OR HERZL 1299 debt with a bond issue of 32 mill. and since i t is logical that the govt. will n o t change this decision as long as i t 1s not assured of a more advantageous arrangement, i n this case there i s n o reason for

Mr. H. t o come t o Constantinople. For this same reason he had been told t o return from Paris (?) t o London, and a t that t i m e he was notified of this arrangement. I t a t this time Mr. H . can give assurances of an advantageous, solid, strong, and definitive arrangem arrangeme nt, w i t h a bond issue o f 30 ent, mill., he is invited to submit i t w i t h o u t delay. *

#*

*

That's the way His Impe rial Majesty the Calip h is; may Allah keep him for us i n any case, because he is a frien d of the Jews and a friend of mine. When I wanted t o know i n advance what i t was all about, he ordered me t o take the trip . When I was ready t o go, he cancelled the order and told me about it. Costaki Ant hop ulos had sent his age nt She rian Eff end i t o m y hot

el to tell me t o come t o the Embas sy, because he was lea vin g for Bath a t 1 1 o'clock. I immediate ly saw an op po rtu nit y t o force him

to come to me, an d sent h i m wo rd tha t | co uld n’t co me be for e no on . A n ambassador do esn ’t l i k e to mis s the we ek -en d tra in t o Ba th.

I pu t on a serious face an d to ld h i m the story of m y th re e- m illio n deposit which J had had t o wi th dr aw again. M y fri en ds wouldn’t want t o €Xpo se themselves to anot her occurrence of a |

1300 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ] send—he himself, evidently because of his t r i p t o Bath, suggesteq Tuesday t o me as the jour de réponse [day for an answer]—ang left for Bath. *

%*

*

Then I finished the letter and the plan for Rothschild, but my wise and good friends Greenberg and Cowen voiced misgivings, so that I a m n o t sending Rothschild the letter I had drafted firs

( I am including i t here for future memoirs), b u t am writing an other one. During the day Rothschild had s e n t me the following letter. [Not pasted i n here]. I n the evening I s e n t h i m this reply: Dear Lord R o t h s c h i l d :

Today the Turkish Ambassador paid me such a long visit that I didn’t get a chance t o work o u t the plan I had promised you. However, this interruption also had the advantage that I don! have t o leave tomorrow and shall probably stay here u n t i l Wednes day. I shall send you the document tomorrow afternoon.

Very faithfully yours, Herzl. *

*

*

F i n a n c i a l d r a f t for R o t h s c h i l d :

The Jewish (Eastern) Company, Limited.* Lord Rothschild convenes 5 or 6 financiers, whom he plans t take o n the Board, for a conferen ce. T h e land concessions to be granted b y the English governmen as well as the influx of working people promise a quite respectable

profit. * I n English i n the origina l.

T H E C O M P L E T E D I A R I E S O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1301

The working capital is a t present ten million pounds, 1 0 t o 2 0 % , of i t on deposit. Money w i l l be called i n only au fur et a mesure [ i n proportion to] the actual need.

The shares are n o t

to

be kept by the syndicate, b u t placed.

T h e calculation should n o t depend o n the category o f those

who will take shares for the sake of the good cause. There will be such people, of course. B u t there w i l l b e more o f the second cat-

egory, those who w i l l place their financial confidence i n a Company headed by Lord Rothschild. Most numerous of all w i l l be the third category, those 1mmigrants who are n o t impecunious. Everybody appreciates the fact that land is made valuable by settlers.

The immigration will be directed and organized according t o plan. The organization w i l l be carried o u t according t o uniform directions by the Local Groups a t the places of origin. I n this way control of the immigratio n will be kept i n hand and will be regulated year by year, even week by week, on the basis of the existing conditions. One can s t a r t as small as one likes—but need not publicly announc e the moment at which one becomes

bigger. This is because of Russia and perhaps other Powers as well who would otherwise bother us. *

*

*

The politica l draft for Chamb erlain ( i n Greenberg's translation) is as follows: [Missing].

Letter to Rothschild:

Priva te and conf iden tial.* * I n Engli sh i n the origin al.

1302 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7] July 12, 1902

Dear Lord R o t h s c h i l d :

Please find enclosed the general outlines of the plan (the po litical aspects i n English, the financial part i n German) for the settlement of the destitute Jews on the Sinai Peninsula, i n Egyptian Palestine, a n d o n Cyprus.

T o obviate any misunderstanding, now or i n the future, may I point o u t that I have drawn u p this plan for you because you declared yourself opposed t o Palestine. You are the greatest effective force that our people has had since its dispersion, and| consider myself i n duty bound t o place my humble advice a t your disposal, provided you w a n t t o do something effective for our unfortunates a t all. I m u s t n o t be a stickler for principles and reject any immediate help for the poorest of our poor, no matter what form 1t may take. More than that: I m u s t give m y advice to the best of my knowledge. I n a d d i t i o n t o t h i s h u m a n interest, I h a v e a political motive

i n this as well. A great Jewish settlement east of the Mediterranean will strengthen our prospects for Palestine. The Jews i n the English colony of the Jewish Eastern Company will be as loyal Zionists as Hirsch’s remote colonists i n Argentina. Whether I can personally assist i n the execution of the project 1.e., whether I can make our Zionist organizations available for it depends upon the decision of my party. I would call a confidential conference of the committee members from all countries and sub m i t the question t o them. I n addition, however, I have a second plan for you, which can

be carried o u t simultaneously with the first one, but also separately This plan is quite secret. I t refers t o Mesopotamia. I told you that the Sultan has offered m e settlement i n Meso

potamia. ( I n February of this year, when I

went to

Constant:

nople a t his invitation.) I declined the offer, because it excluded Palestine. I can get back t o i t tomorrow, since m y relations have

remained excellent.

HER ZL 1303 T H E COM PLE TE DIA RIE S OF T H E O D O R I n r e t u r n we would handle certain financial affairs tor him.

you This job is being solicit ed by someone whose name I can give orally. The Sultan would prefer t o hand i t over t o me, because he knows that I personally am n o t pursui ng any financ ial advan-

tage. Naturally he also wants somewhat more favorable terms. B u t

even i f he were granted more favorabl e terms, about two million

pounds could be made on the deal. This profit would go t o the Jewish Company, so that i t would start its life with a certain profit of t w o million pounds. I believe that this would facilitate the realization of the plan. I don’t know whether you are sufficiently informed about me, |

b u t I believe that I ought t o emphasize clearly t h a t i n t h i s scheme, too, I have n o financial interest whatsoever. I a m n o t a financial

agent, and my only desire a t most would be that the Jewish National Fund be assigned an appropriate amount if this profitable transaction is carried through. I am n o t making a condicio sine qua non [an indispensable condition] o u t of it.

I would prefer the first plan, because i n Mesopotamia there are tewer political assurances for the future. Only i f the Jewish colony cannot be established in the British possessions,* because the English govern ment refuses o r there is n o willing ness o n the part o f the financiers, w i l l I give you this second plan. I shall give you the financ ial detail s of the Meso potam ian plan |

In

person, i f you wish. Preferably tomor row, Sunday; and I a m

prepared t o come out

to

the country or anywhere else t o see you.

I am a t your disposal on Monday, t o o . I hope that I can fina lly depart on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Very faith fully yours, Herz l. Jul y 1 5 , Lon don No answer fro m Rothschild. Yesterd ay came an ult ima tum fro m the Sultan: I must sub mit the de tail ed proposal by thi s mo rni ng (evidently a chess move of the Ro uv ier people). * I n English i n the orig ina l.

1304 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ]

I answered through Costaki Anthopulos: We are ready i n prin. ciple t o open discussions on the transaction, but things couldn’ be done that fast. *

*

*

I n the meantime, other schemes: I will try t o get t o Rosebery

through Lord Battersea, and through the former t o the English government; i n the interest of regaining its influence i n the Orient, the government should induce the English Jews t o collaborate with me. P.S. Lady Battersea wrote t o Lord Rosebery, who regret. ted immensely,* but he had to leave town. Copy of the “ultimatum,” a photostat of which I am depositing i n m y safe-deposit box a t the Trust.

* Confidential.

Teleg. of the 1 2 t h (resumé): * *

His reply can only be waited for u n t i l Tuesday morning a t the latest. For we c a n n o t postpone the course we have decided upon any longer than that. Besides, i t is obvious that nothing can be done i n this important financial m a t t e r without the assistance of the Israelite banks. Therefore a definitive reply, containing a l l the necessary details, is expected without fail. N o communication can be accepted until

Tuesday morning. *

%*

*

Thereupon I wrote d o w n the following a t t h e ambassador's

place and read i t to h i m . **

Mr. Herzl tells me: Despite the incident of the deposit w h i c h took place last Spring

I have succeeded i n making my friends favorably inclined. I per m i t myself t o recall the facts. Following my r e t u r n from Constantl * I n English i n t h e origina l. *¢

I n French i n the origina l.

HER ZL 1305 THE COM PLE TE DIA RIE S OF THE ODO R nople and upon semi-official advice, I had a deposit of 3 million francs made i n three banks i n Paris, Londo n, and Berlin , to serve as security for importan t proposals. B u t as soon as I had produce these letters of credit before H . Exc. Mahm ud Nedim Bey a t Vienna, I received orders t o withdraw these deposits. M y friends were mildly offended by this incident. Nevertheless, I have been able to convince them now, and they are ready i n principle t o go into the proposed question. However, as for giving all the necessary details by tomorrow morning, that is an impossibility. A matter of this importance cannot be slapped together i n a few hours. I permit myself t o observe that on Wednesday the gth of July H. Exc. Costaki Anthopulos Pasha again communicated t o me the Imperial order t o leave for Constantinople without informing anybody of the reason for my departure. I was going t o leave o n Saturday. Only on Friday the 18th of July* did I receive Imperia l orders n o t t o leave and t o sound o u t m y friends . Under these conditions i t is impossible prope rly t o carry out an operation for which M . Rouvier had more months than I have

days.

H.Imp.M. will recognize my devotion just the same.

I'have now give n all the necessary inst ruct

ions t o m y frien ds. O n

Wednesday I shall leave for Alt-A ussee, Aus tria. H . Exc. Ma hm ud Nedim can easily send me HIm p.M .’s ord ers, either by an embassy employee or by my confidential representative i n Vienna who m H.Exc.

knows. I could, moreover, continue negotiat

London friends by coded telegra

m.

ions wit h my

Ju ly 16

Yesterday there came a letter fro

m Rothschild which is n o t wi

th.

1306 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7] I n the evening I w e n t t o see the German baron Eckartstein Embassy Councillor, former chargé d’affaires d u r i n g Hatzfeld’s

illness. A magnificent human specimen of giant dimensions, a

Newfoundland breed with the most devoted eyes. He has big ideas for the future and the most beautiful wife I have ever seen. Née

Maple (fille de tapissier [an upholsterer’s daughter]). Talked with Eckartstein on his balcony garden i n Grosvenor Square late into the night, about world politics, the Orient, and Germany. H e wants to form a great party against landed proprietors and

revolutionaries. I recommended land reform and cooperative societies t o h i m .

July 16, London

Costaki Anthopulos summoned me today. H e had a wire saying that the matter had gone back t o the Porte (apparently approved by Yildiz). Letter t o the Sultan: * Sire:

I have the honor t o confirm the telegram that I asked His Exc. Costaki Anthopulos Pasha t o transmit t o Y.I.M. Since I had only a few days at m y disposal and had only received o n Friday last, July 1 1 , authorization t o speak t o m y friends about this matter,

this is the earliest I have been able t o complete m y arrangements, the results of which I am presenting. I t is possible to make a saving o f two million pounds i n issuing the bonds. H i s Majesty has only to declare t o the group currently

managing the matter his formal and absolute resolution only

t0

agree to the consolidation for a n expenditure of go millions instead of g2 millions, and that w i t h o u t any change i n the other conditions. T h e group has gone too far to b e able to withdraw. According to m y information, the group, having already acquired a certain amount of bonds, finds itself i n a greater need to bring the mattef * I n Frenc French h i n the origin al.

T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1307 to a conclusion than the Imp. govt. does. The I m p . govt. 1s n o t getting very good terms, and the advantages are entirely o n the side of the financiers and the foreign powers. Under these conditions the govt. loses nothing by putting off an arrangement that is n o t advantageous. T h e group, having a number o f bonds o n its hands, must n o w accept what is offered i t . That for reasons easy to see. T h e group’s principal profit must

consist i n the difference between the Exchange prices. I f the proposed plan goes awry, perhaps they would lose a great deal. That is the advantage from which I should be happy t o make Y . I . M . profit.

There are two possible outcomes.

1) The group w i l l have t o accept the loss of t w o millions of debts so as n o t t o lose other benefits.

2) The group w i l l withdraw from the affair. Then Y.I.M.’s govt. will have avoided getting bad terms. After a period of time another group formed by m y friends w i l l present itself t o reopen the matte r.

I t would be of n o h e l p and even harmful to l e t the current group know t h a t there i s a n o t h e r p l a n i n t h e works, because t h e n , k n o w -

ing there would be a demand for the bonds already i n their possession, they would n o t give up.

I f H M . simply says: either you make the consolidation with 30 mill. of debts, o r I w i l l not proceed w i t h such a n underta king a t all—th en they w i l l have t o give up.

But i f H.M. says t o them: I have another arrangement, then they will wait t o sell their acqui red bonds more dearly . I hope H . M . i n his lofty wisdom will perceive w i t h what complete disinterest I am serving his interests. I f the curre nt group yields t o the condi tions indica ted above ,

I would have the satisf action of h a v i n g given good advic e.

I f they withd raw, so much the better for Y.I.M .’s interests, and

the proje ct will be carri ed o u t b y since rely devo ted frien ds. But i t

will be necessary t o let several weeks go by befo re they present themselves.

1308 T H E C O M P L E T E D I A R I E S O F T H E O D O R HER7]

I t seems t o me superfluous t o give here the details of our pro. posals which have as their basis the payment o f o n l y go millions of

debts. For i f the other proposal 1s accepted, then ours is no longer of any interest. A n d i f Y.I.M. does m e the honor o f following my

advice, the complete plan will be submitted directly and by word of mouth t o Y.I.M. within a few weeks. I am leaving here tomorrow morning for Alt-Aussee i n Styria (Austria). Telegraphic communications can be sent me through Mahmud Nedim Bey who w i l l turn them over t o my confidential agent i n Vienna. Letters can be addressed to m e directly by post.

I remain Y.I.M.’s most humble and obedient servant Dr. Th. H.

July 1%, on the train, between Calais and Paris Private and confidential. * Dated J u l y 2 1 , Alt-Aussee

Dear Lord R o t h s c h i l d :

I n the rush of my departure I didn’t answer your letter of the 15th inst. i n London, because you say yourself that my colonization proposal requires prolonged study. That is quite all right with me. I t was also my thought that a settlement can be started only i n early Spring—February or March—at the time of Summer planting, because that 1s the

shortest period until the first harvest. T h e land would of course have to be secured i n the A u t u m n , and the W i n t e r would have to

be used for preparations, the details of which I worked o u t long ago. I would be so glad i f I didn’t have t o take your reply as a refusal Who can help our poor people i f n o t you? Y o u are a fine man—today, h a v i n g got t o k n o w y o u , I a m con

vinced of it. Be a great man, too. T h e campaign will contain a guarantee o f success only i f i t 18 ®

I n English i n the origina l.

R H E R Z L 1309 T H E C O M P L E T E D I A R I E S OF T H E O D O )

carried on with sufficient resources and is made capable of expats?x penny tube* from Piccadilly to Cornhill one easily g i e s

on 16 mill. pounds. Combines of

10

mill. pounds for some 1 1

trial enterprise are n o t h i n g fabulous i n this American era.

And should a Land Company which will finally remove the tormenting Jewish Question from the face of the carth be unable t o raise that much money under Lord Rothschild’s guidance? I do know what the confusing thing about i t is: the proposal seems t o have too philanthropic a character for people to b e able

tackle i t and present i t i n a business way. But this would be precisely the accomplishment for which you could acquire everlasting credit for yourself. to

As I understand you, Milord, you wouldn’t make m u c h o f a fuss i f you were expected t o donate 1 0 o r 2 0 , 0 0 0 pds. for some b i g a i d

campaign. I have been told that you give away over

100,000

pds.

annu ally.

But here you are to give n o mone y at all, not a pecnny—yo u are

only asked t o lend your auth ority , your influence, your power to an enterprise that is likel y t o yield you a prof it. Do you thin k so littl e of the prestige of you r house that you consider raising 1 0 mil l. pds. among the Jew s all over the wor ld as doubtful for even a minute, i f you pla ce yourself a t the head of the project? Your cousins i n Paris cou ld no lon ger carry o n such a campaign today. They are being governed ind irectly by Mr . Drumont, and Woe t o them i f they don’t show themselves as French pa trio ts in dealing wit h the fina nci al embar rassments of the Ru ssi an gov ern ment, which makes pariahs of ou r people. Your Situation, Mi lor d, is qu ite dif fer en t— tod ay , a t an y ra te before anti-Semitism has pre va ile d i n En gla nd . Today you st ill have elb ow ro om . I n fact, yo u m ay cl ai m hi gh C o e fromJ ou r go ve rnm en t i f yo u str en gth en En gli sh inf lue nc e en i le 'terranean by a grea t colonization of ou r pe ople po nt of Egyptian and Indo-P ersian interests. * I n English i n the original,

1310 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ] How long do you suppose that the benefits

to

be reaped there

w i l l remain unnoticed, anyway? T h e n we Jews, we sharp b y

always hoodwinked Jews, w i l l again be left holding the bag. The thing can be done; quickly and on a large scale, through the Land and Trade Company whose outline I have sketched for you, H i r s c h ’ s enterprise was a game, a s h o w , a n d n o t e x p a n d e d . A com.

monwealth does n o t consist only of agriculture. T h a t part of these millions which has n o t yet been squandered by mismanagement will necessarily have t o go toward an all-encompassing settlement.

But I wouldn't w a n t a calculation t o be based on this, any more than on other “philanthropists.” The land company can succeed only i f 1t 1s based n o t on rach mones [pity], b u t o n economic interests. Perhaps I shall manage t o obtain financially valuable concessions. Then you will hear

from me again. ‘Tomorrow morning I am going t o Constantinople. I don’t know yet how long I shall stay there. Should you have any message for me, please use the good offices o f M r . Greenberg, 80 Chancery

Lane, who always has my address. Very faithfully yours, Herzl.

July 2 1 , Alt-Aussee Stormy exchange of telegrams during the last t w o days. The Sultan w a n t s me urgently. I am leaving for there with Wolffsohn Wolffsohn tomorrow . Vederemo [We shall see]!

Book Twelve Begun o n J u l y 25,

1902

i n Constantinople

J u l y 25, Therapia

Again there have been t w o days of quaking and shaking, the twilight existence of modern gypsydom in the Grand Express, sleeping, daydreaming, eating—and countries flying past. Constantinople is the way i t was. Dirt, dust, noise, red fezzes, blue waters; and the square white tree guards o n the road u p t o Yildiz have elegant cut-out crescents.

The baksheesh snatchers a t the Yildiz e n t r a n c e already greet me with a familiar grin. They know the golden rain of my exit. Cultivated friendship with Ibrahim. The last time he had told me about his son’s death. T h i s time, alas, I told h i m about the

death of my father. Again t h e unnerving w a i t i n g p e r i o d ; t h e n I again h a d t h e S u l t a n

reminded of my presence. Shortly after that there appeared, with a friendly air—Tahsin. H e told Ibrahim, who reproduced i t for me, that I was the guest of the Sultan and had a c o u r t equipage a t my disposal. Then he asked me for a memorandum of my propositions. I pleaded exhaustion from my trip, but—Ila volonté d u maitre [the Master's wish]! Tahsin made a d o u b t f u l face and left t o report it.

Meanwhile I d i d sit down, moaning and groaning, and started i n with a muzzy head. But I felt relieved when Tahsin returned and brought word that I could write the memorandu m a t Therapia. A s e r v a n t would come for it. So I w e n t by s t e a m e r from Beshiktash as far as Yenikoi, then by carriage here t o Therapia, arrived a t half past eight, sat down with a stuffy head, and sat u p t i l l 1 1 : 3 0 a t night making t w o copies (a first draft and a clean copy) of the memorandum which I am pasting i n below. Then Ibrahim’s s e r v a n t left with i t . I f Ibrahim worked hard, he finished the translation during the night. T h e Sultan may be reading i t this very moment . I f i t m e e t s with his approval, perhaps he will receive me after the selamlik. Anyway, the Bosporus is blue! *

*

1313

*

1314 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7|

Sire: * I have the honor t o s u b m i t t h e following considerations

tg

Y.I.M. First a word o n the political aspect o f the R o u v i e r plan. M.

Rouvier’s current position as Minister of Finance does n o t make the situation more difficult, but actually makes 1t easier. I f his proposal is n o t accepted by Y.I.M., the French ministry cannot be unpleasant t o the Ottoman govt., because the opponents of the French cabinet would have every opportunity t o declare that the Republic has t o serve the interests of a financial group. On the other hand, i f the Rouvier plan is adopted, M . R . would have to be careful n o t t o be politically obliging t o Turkey, because he would be attacked on the grounds that he had been won over by financial considerations. Besides, i n m y humble opinion, there 1s n o hurry about making a decision one way o r the other.

A t this

moment

the situation is such that M . Rouvier’s group

must wish, much more than the I m p . govt., for t h e matter to be brought t o a conclusion. T h e longer t h e group waits, the easier

i t w i l l be t o deal with. I n fact, the group is already i n possession of a rather large part of the debt t o be consolidated. I f the plan is rejected, the group will suffer, by the certain drop i n price, a loss that w i l l probably cause 1t t o ponder before withdrawin g. N o danger, then, from this direction, and even i f Y . I . M . should n o t believe i t necessary t o adopt our proposals, the temporary re

jection of the Rouvier plan could only have advantageous con: sequences. The conditions would become easier. B u t only i n cast i t is kept an absolute secret that another plan exists. I f the Rouvier group learns that there are others willing t o carry o u t the consolidation, i t w i l l be uncompromisin g, because the bonds that the Rouvier group already has will be needed. T h e first condition of a new arrangement is, then, the pure and

simple rejec tion of the Rouv ier scheme. After that Y.I.M. will be able t o come t o new terms either with * I n Frenc h i n the origin al.

T H E COMPL ETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1315 the Rouvier group n o w become less d e m a n d i n g , o r w i t h m y friends

who will n o t come forward until the rejection of the Rouvier plan. This, first, o u t of consideration for financiers’ ethics, because they believe they should n o t make official proposals as long as the Imp. govt. is i n the midst of negotiations so far along, i f n o t almost concluded, with another group; second, for considerations of prudence. I f i t is known here and now that my friends are t o take over the matter, the prices will be raised t o such an e x t e n t that n o t only my friends’ enterprise but any other attempt a t consolidation will become impossible for a very long time. But i f Y.I.M. declared that he had given u p any idea of consolidating the Debt because the advantages for the Empire are n o t sufficiently e v i d e n t (which i s t h e t r u t h ) , t h e n t h e ground will

be cleared before long, t h e prices will f a l l , a n d w e shall b e

able t o

go ahead with a chance of success. M y friends are ready t o carry o u t the consolidati on along the general lines of the Rouvier plan, which i n the future gives the

Imperial govt. a certain latitude for increasing the revenues from the Debt i n its own interest. M y friends would perform this operation on the basis of an expenditure of 3 0 millions of new obligations. That is t o say, i f consolidation required —once the Rouvie r Plan is known and expected by the public— more than go million s and u p t o 3 2 million s of new obligations, my friends would provide the Imp. govt. w i t h ready mone y at a discou nt o f 8o per c e nt for the issuance of new bonds i n excess of 3 0 millio ns. I n exchange, the Imp. govt. woul d grant us a chart er or con-

cession for Jewish colonization i n Mesopotamia, as Y.I.M . deigned t o ofter me last Febr uary , addi ng the terri tory of Haif a and its environs i n Palestine. I f Y.I.M . does n o t yet deem it Prop er t o acce pt m y view s o n t h e

usefulness of Jewish colo niza tion t o the Emp ire, I am nevertheless

a t his disposal as a devo ted and com plete ly disin tere sted serv ant.

Und er the exis ting con ditio ns ther e is a very adva ntag eous tran sa c t i o n t o be made.

Y.ILM.’s priv y purse can buy a t a low pric e a cer tain num ber of

1316 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL bonds which will go on the market as soon as the Rouvier plan has been disposed of. This stock can later (and a t a much higher price) go toward the consolidation which will necessarily take place some day. I pledge myself t o see that this operation is carried o u t with absolute dis cretion and as advantageously as possible. I t is true that t h e consolidation i t s e l f 1s o n l y a step i n the i m

provement o f t h e finances. T h e operation w i l l b e slow and com

plicated i n whatever manner i t is performed. Its results will n o t be immediate. T h e new revenues w i l l consist o n l y of an increase in

the taxpayers’ burden. I f I may be permitted t o express my humble opinion, I would judge i t more useful t o establish a t once new sources of revenue, t o let the consolidation project drag along for some time yet, to let i t be neglected i n order t o accomplish 1t with greater profit later, a n d above a l l t o g o a h e a d w i t h t h e establish

ment of new sources of revenue. These sources of revenue would be, among other things, the exploitation of the mines, the forests, and perhaps of electric power. M y friends are disposed to undertake the task and t o serve

Y.I.M. faithfully. With the country enriched by industries, the strengthened taxpayers will then be able t o bear more easily the increase of

taxes,

which will come only after the Debt is consolidated. I beg Y.ILM. t o forgive the hasty form of these observations which I have jotted down while still a l i t t l e tired from my trip. I still hope t o be able t o talk with Y.I.M. personally about my ideas, which are those of a sincere friend of this beautiful country which

can become a rich and prosperous one. I have t h e honor t o b e Y . I . M . ’ s most h u m b l e a n d o b e d i e n t servant.

July 26, between Therapia and Yildiz Aboard my mouche [river steamer]. Yesterday, Friday, was once again a typical, familiar, hot, dreary, dull, demoralizing day of waiting i n Ibrahim ’s office.

E R Z L 1317 OF T H E O D O R H S IE R IA D TE LE P T H E COM a rid e i n th e se la m lik , af te r re fo be n, oo n t a iz fahrt [ arrived a t Yi ld ost neglected road [Hof m t, es sti du e th on e ag the co ur t carri muss leiden]. * lomats also past, and the foreign dip de ro I as me w sa n lta Su The rm an mo us loo ks . T h e Ge C ur i o u s , a n d ve no s, ou ici sp su me ve ga ed me venular, Wangenheim, watch chargé d'affaires i n par tic omously and peevishly. him German dragoman ha d asked the t tha er lat me d tol im ah Ibr by the Su lta n today. kerr He rzl wo uld be received nke ban whether the ba |

|

|

tha t d i d n ' t kno w any ban ker b y Ibr ahi m said cor rec tly tha t he name, but onl y a wri ter . m min or

bro ugh t Ibr ahi Tahsin came from time t o tim e and lun ch 1 was excused for messages for me from the Sultan. Aft er he needed tha t mu ch four hours, because the Sultan thou ght

supposed to kee p mytime t o study m y mem oran dum . B u t I was a t the Pera Palace, self a t the Sultan's disposal from 6 o'clock o n n o t a t Ther apia .

the So I looked for Wolffsohn a t the quay, found h i m and . B u t dursteame r, and went t o Thera pia t o fetch my night things i n g the hour-and-a-half of my Bosporus trip, the Sultan had called me again. A t Therapia I already found a telegram asking m e t o return t o the palace immediate ly.

This I did, provided with luggage for a possible overnight stay a t Pera. When I arrived a t Yildiz a t a quarter past six, I was introduced to aged Karatheodory Pasha (Alexander), called the great Karatheodory, the co-author o f t h e B e r l i n

treaty. H e

has

.

t from the Sultan t o translate my strictly confidential o eructions o ran u m I had sent i t t o Ibrahim i n an unsealed envelope night e o r B e oe ore _oranim told me very shrewdly that he hadn’t ould tell everyone that he hadn't read i t . I don’t believe t h a t

Poor old Karatheodory sweated audibly until 1

12:15

a.m. over

1318 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R }

the translation which I had t o co-sign and put i n an envelope addressed t o the Sultan and bearing m y seal. A t 1 2 : 1 5 Tahsin wa called, and I turned the envelope over to h i m . I was given an ap

pointment for this morning. Then we went to Therapia b y steamer through a wonderfyl

moon-lit night. I was too worn o u t t o enjoy this trip. ¥*

%*

%*

I n the afternoon Izzet joined me i n Ibrahim’s office for a mo ment. I squeezed his hand.

July 2%, Therapia Addendum. When we were on our way t o Yildiz t w o days ago, Friday evening, we m e t the carriages of a l l the Ministers, w i t h the Ministers in them, going down the hill. Later I found o u t that a Cabinet meeting had been called to receive my proposition. But since Karatheodory hadn't finished

his translation, they had t o leave again after waiting for some time. ¥*

*

*

Yesterday an idle day. I was a t Ibrahim’s office punctually a t 1 0 o'clock, but he and Karatheodory were late. ‘Time is n o t money here. Karatheodory, whom I had taken for an old buffoo n on the day before, opened his eyes d u r i n g t h e conversati on w h e n I got h i m to

talk about Bismarck and Disraeli. H e is really a great fellow, this grand Karatheodory. H e said some really terrific things. E.g., he described Bismarck as a brutal man, b u t a grand charmeur [great charmer]. Bismarck

had completely dominated the Berlin Congress, b u t he had had his favorites , e.g., Karatheo dory himself, w h o m h e had once handed

a bouquet of roses a t the conference table,

T H E C O M P L E T E D I A R I E S O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1319

“A tout propos i l savait des anecdotes. Tout l u i était arrivé [ H e had anecdotes for any occasion. Everything had happened t o him].” I consider this “tout l u i était arrivé” a masterful character sketch i n four words. Then we spoke about England, about the last war i n South Africa, from which Greater England had emerged strengthened, because i t had brought o u t the national unity of the colonies. This was my opinion—to be sure, there were Englishmen who maintained the contrary.

A t this Alexander Pasha said: “Il y a toujours des Anglais q u i disent le contraire [There are always Englishmen who maintain the contrary].” Also very neat. *

*

*

I had originally concluded from the patent-leather boots i n which Karatheodory had appeared that we would go t o the Sultan —he as interprete r i n place of Ibrahim whom the Sultan has evidently relieved of the assignment. B u t the l u n c h hour came round, we went to eat, and rose from

the table again. Noth ing came. Not until after lunch did Tahsi n come w i t h a message. T h e Sultan had wished t o consult w i t h the Gran d Vizier about m y memorandum. But the Gran d Vizie r had a cold as well as an abscessed tooth. I could withd raw, I was n o t likely t o be calle d befor e tomorrow (this) evening. *

*

*

I believe that duri ng this wait ing peri od my offe r is bein g used more favorable con ditio ns from Rou vier . I t wou ld be very unwise and inep t i f the Gra nd Vizi er d i d this. For as long as he owns a lot of titres [bonds], Rou vier need n o t be afraid of another consolidation. O n the contrary, he cou ld the n t o exac t

1320 T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7| sit back and watch i t . But the whole consolid ation will be jeop ardized by the appearance of compe tition. *

*

*

I n the meantime, I feel that I a m being observed from all sides.

A financially rehabilitated Turkey will be of n o use

to

the

Powers. H e n c e I a m convinced t h a t a l l sorts o f steps are n o w b e i n g taken

against me i n the darkness of diplomati c intrigues. What?

July 28, Therapia I shall give a report later o n yesterday, a wondrous day, like

everything else. Letter t o the Sultan: * Sire:

I have the honor t o submit t o Y.I.M. the report of the conversa tion that I had yesterday with His Highness the Grand Vizier. I explained our proposals f u l l y to H i s Highness. First, I re called the fact that i t was only on July 1 1 that I received from His Excellency the ambassador a t London notification of the con ditions desired by Y.I.M. T h e invitation t o come t o Constant: nople, which I had received the preceding week, was accompanied by instructions n o t t o speak t o anyone about the purpose of my trip. Between July 1 1 and 15, that is t o say, i n four days, I was t0 give a precise answer t o t h e q u e s t i o n w h e t h e r i t w a s possible to

carry o u t the operation on a basis of

30

millions of new bonds. |

r e p l i e d i n t h e affirmative o n J u l y 16. T h e r e was n o t t i m e t o work out

a new plan, which, besides, would probably have taken weeks

for the Imp. govt. t o study. Under these conditions we simply took the Rouvier plan, thus

keeping the advantages that the Imp. govt. sees i n i t , and we topped i t by offering t o pay for the new obligations i n excess of go million ®*

I n French i n the original .

H ER ZL 1321 IE S O F T H E O D O R AR DI E ET PL M CO E TH us Y. I.M .s ra te of 8o percent. Th the at ns llio mi 32 o t p pounds u ve rde n of debt wh ich wo uld devol wish was carried out , and the bu be ct the exi stin g de bt wo uld i n effe upon the Im p. govt. i n place of ns beno more tha n go mi llio ns eve

llio n : f 2 no mi na l iss ue of g2 mi

up of obligations req uir ed t o bu y came necessary. For the surplus ing bal anc ed b y a the old bonds cou ld no t be con

sid ere d a de bt, be

paym ent i n the process o f issu ance .

o r concession for a col oni zaWe asked i n ret urn for a cha rter ne.

a small par t of Palesti tion company i n Mesopotamia and i n ch cou ld be calculated This company wou ld nat ura lly pay a fee whi according t o families of colonists. ld accept Otto man His Highness asked me i f these colonists wou citizenship and milit ary service. I replie d i n the affirmative.

His Highness then asked me i f the

two

operations—consolida-

since tion of the Debt and colon izatio n—co uld not be separated,

basically they have no apparent connection. I conceded the fairness of this remark .

But I added that i n such a short time i t was impossible t o work o u t other worthwh ile plans and I had t o take the one I was certain of being able t o carry o u t a t once, having obtained my friends’ ’

consent.

His Highness asked of whom the syndicate was composed. I replied i n accordance with my respectful letter of July 24 t o Y . I M . that for the moment it is a question o f financial ethics. M y

friends cannot officially make themselves known because the Rouvier plan is almost completed, a n existing mazbata [decree]. His Highness had the goodness t o recognize that i n these circumstances respectable financiers cannot act otherwise. After this I permitted myself a few words about our request for

AR

we wish t o introduce i n t o Y w o

En i Ne

1s neither dangerous n o r troublesom e. 1

o f population that > not f o b e feared I t

loyal element, bound t o the Moslem b rac sober industrious, racial kinship and reoe One of Y.I.M.’ ligious affinity. Y.I.M.’s glorious ancestors i n v i t e d t h e u n y. One ot

1322 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7] fortunate Jews i n t o his dominions at the t i m e of the persecution;

i n the fifteenth century. They came 1n great numbers. Have the Sultans of Turkey ever had cause t o complain of their Jewish sul. jects? I added that if, for example, o n t h e occasion o f his n e x t birthday Y.I.M. should deign t o make a declaration i n favor of the Jewish

people, i n our days of the telegraph and rapid communication that would have an almost instantaneous repercussion throughout the entire world. I t would be the great signal t o a t t r a c t intelligence, capital, industry, and enterprises of every kind, and i t would be not only the territory of Mesopotamia and Haifa with its little bit of hinterland that would profit by i t , but the whole Ottoman Empire, O n my r e t u r n t o Yildiz Kiosk, H.E. Aarif Bey reported t o me that Y.I.M. did n o t w a n t a concentration of immigrants i n any one part of the territory. I w i l l not be so bold as to insist, b u t to my

mind colonization need n o t take the form of unhealthy concentra tion. I f a large company with sufficient capital manages the colo nization, i t could reach an agreement w i t h the government on the areas t o b e colonized, and the establishment o f t h e colonists could

be systematically controlled and guided, following a previously determined plan. Y.I.M. will decide i n His lofty wisdom. I t is perhaps a matter of confidence, and Y.I.M. may wish t o enlarge his knowledge of my devotion and financial integrity of my friends. We are a t your disposal even i f we do not, for the moment, reach an agreeme nt o n the proposed matter.

First, t o prove that my devotion is n o t an empty word, I am a t Y.I.M.’s orders t o help him with my humble ability i n the con solidation project. I am convinced that greater advantages for the Imperial Treasury could be obtained even from M . Rouvier’

group. But i t would be necessary t o go about i t very adroitly and above a l l , t o assure t h e most absolute secrecy for t h e decisions

finally arrived

at

by Y.I.M. I t would succeed only i f the secrecy

were comp lete. M y presence i n Constanti nople has not gone unnoticed , and

some advantages can be gained even from this fact. B u t i f I may

E R Z L 1323 OF T H E O D O R H S IE R IA D TE LE T H E COMP in g an d w ou ld be to d o no th t i , ce vi ad of e ec pi respectfully offer a th e ho no r of o u t be fo re 1 have k lea ng hi yt an t le o t especially n o t . Th e last time di d

audience by Y.I.M being received in a private pr ive d of 1t th is b u t I ho pe no t to b e de r, no ho l na sig s thi ve no t ha

time. y whatbe of use t o Y. I.M . i n any wa I should be happy i f I could . of the kindness tha t Y.IL.M y rth wo lf se my ow sh s thu ever and has shown me. disposal for any other aspect My services are equally a t your ation. of the country’s financial reorganiz hum ble and obedient servI have the honor t o be Y.I.M.’s mo st ant,

Dr. Th. H .

July 28, 1902

July 29, aboar d the l i t t l e “Kons tantin os”

Yesterday, with its idle excitements, did n o t permit me t o enter the events of Sunday.

On Sunday afternoon (two days ago) I received a telegram from Ibrahim saying that I should come t o the Palace a t once. I changed my clothes and w e n t t o Beshiktash on our hired yacht. A t the palace, I b r a h i m , T a h s i n , a n d Aarif Bey, t h e Sultan’s

chamberlain, were already waiting for me. The Sultan had given orders t h a t I be t o the Grand Vizi i z i e r . Ibrahim and Aarif were e mtaken accompany od

the great astonishment of the baksheesh caryatids a t the

. i z e n t r a n c e 1 appeared flanked by these t w o gros légumes [big-shots] and followed by three discreet servants. i I n the West this would probably have b : |

[procession] of an execu tion.

phave

T o His Highness, Said Pasha! I w e n t ahead I n Ibrahim’s carria behind me i n a second carriage. ;

been taken

for the coreége

i

©

gentlemen followed

1324 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERy; A t the Grand Vizier's there was more tedious, unnerving wai ing. F i r s t m y t w o cavaliers disappeared i n t o H i s Highness's office.

After a very long while the door opened; a short, fattish, faded old gentleman i n a sick man’s dressing gown appeared and asked me t o come in.

That was Said Pasha. H e asked m e for details o f m y m e m o r a n d u m t h a t I had sub mitted t o t h e Sultan.

I n my letter of yesterday addressed t o the Sultan I have repro duced i n fairly accurate detail the substance of our conversation, which was attended by Ibrahim and Aarif as silent seconds, their hands respectfully folded over their bellies. I t should be added only that Said, w h o looks very i n t e l l i g e n t a n d was very amiable, declared

my campaign t o aid the Jews was something very humanitarian and commendable. But particular n o t e should be taken of the long sideways glance a t the t w o witnesses with which he accompanied the question as t o what persons the syndicate was composed of. For this sidelong glance, that is, the ostensible cleverness expressed in i t , h e 1s Grand Vizier.

For the rest, he finished by saying that he was pleased t o have made my acquaintance, and amidst salaams First Class with Oak Leaves he dismissed me. I had anticipated this conversation with roughly the same ex pectations as the one with Chlodwig Hohenlohe four years ago at Potsdam. His Highness Said Pasha, too, a fait son petit Hohenlohe [pulled a little Hohenlohe]. Chilling despite a l l his amiability. W e drove back to Yildiz, again I i n advance i n Ibrahim’s carriage and the t w o cavaliers bringin g u p the rear.

Aarif

went t o

see the Sultan and brought me word that I should

give a report about m y conference w i t h the Grand Vizier. This 1$

the Sultan's way of controlling the accuracy of what 1s submitted t o him. The system is undoubtedly clever, but i t requires a brilliant ruler. Governing i n public, at any rate, means greater freedom from care for the ruler .

T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1325 T H E CO MP LE TE DIA RIE S OF ning , b u t d i d n ’ t finis h I prom ised m y rep ort for yesterday mor

i t un til noon.

nd Vizi er (wh o is suft erAfte r the c h i l l i n g ami abil ity o f the Gra

h ) a n d A a r i f ’ s even m u c h i n g from a c h i l l a n d a n abscessed t o o t

e agai n. W h e n I was

worse message, the n i g h t had brou ght m e peac

e a good move finishing my letter, I had the feeling of havi ng mad

i n the chess game.

e with the Sultan’s wish, I p u t m y lette r i n a sealed rdance I n accordanc e 1 stayed o n envelope and sent i t t o the palace by Well isch, whil our mouc he w i t h Wolff sohn , o n the b l u e water s befor

e Besh iktas h.

the I a t least wanted t o spend those horri ble hours of waiti ng i n tI fresh air instead of Ibrah im’s office, the patte rn of whose carpe already know by heart. I wanted t o cruise outside Beshiktash for an hour, then go to Pera and await the orders i n the palace there.

During that hour nothin g came; I went t o Pera; but hardly had I gulped down my lunch when Wellisch came rattling along and called me into the palace. H o w e v e r , I w e n t t o G a l a t a a n d from there took t h e yacht t o

Beshiktash. I n Yildiz, the capital of Wonderland, a surprise awaited me. I was awaited by Ibrahim, Tahsin, and Aarif. The last-named gave me back the letter which I had addressed t o the Sultan, its seal still unbroken. T h e Sultan, he said, wanted me t o have the letter translated b y m y o w n confidential agent and then send i t to h i m

directly and sealed. The Sultan had named Wellisch for this; but the latter declared he was incapable of doing i t , because he could n o t read or write Turkish. I had t o promise t o t u r n i n the translation by evening. B u t where was I t o get a trustworthy translator that fast? Nevertheless I prom1sed the somewhat embarrassed gentlemen t o do m y utmost. After all, i t was a v o t e of no confidence that the Master was giving them. way of Thame orouncing thing happened. Tahsin told me by e Sultan desired m e to stop payment o n the checks I had sent h i m . I d i d n ’ t immediat ely understan d what was

oeant by this: He couldn't possibly mean the £200 which I had charitable purposes. D i d he mean the three

1326 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R ] letters of credit of one m i l l i o n each? Yes, that’s what i t was. He hy mistaken these for checks, that is, he had thought that I had sep, them i n for purposes o f bribery o r p i l f e r e d t h e m i n some way, Naturally I w r o t e o u t the desired declaration that I had cancelleg

the three-million deposit again. Then I went out i n search of a reliable translator. Wellik

hesitantly recommended t o me a young trainee i n the consular service, Badi b y name, a Sephardic J e w . I b r a h i m h a d recommendeq t o Wellisch the Turkish ministry official Bachor Effendi. I des patched Wellisch i n a carriage t o see Badi. Wolffsohn, whom I had asked t o wait in our mouche, had gone for a sail. Rather nervously I stood on the dock of Beshiktash and looked for the mouche. Finally I took a barque with t w o pirates i n order t o go i n search of my mouche. They rowed me almost u p t o the Leander tower, and then I espied my mouche. I n my black frock-coat and top hat| stood u p straight i n the barque, i n the hottest blaze of the sun, and made semaphor signals. But my Greek captain didn’t notice me until he was back before Beshiktash. Then I drove t o the Golden Horn. I n the streets of Pera we met young Badi, a handsome, intelligent, ragged-looking young man. Without telling him what I wanted of h i m I interrogated him— among other things, as t o whether he was religious. Then I would have had him swear on a Bible that he would keep the secret. To

m y regret, however, h e was n o t religious. So I h a d t o settle for his word o f h o n o r . H e made a good impression. I also t o o k a l o o k at his

brother's l i t t l e cotton-goods store, so as t o get a picture of his family. I trusted h i m a n d took h i m a l o n g t o t h e Hotel Pera Palace.

And a t that point i t occurred t o me that despite a l l the remarkable experiences I am having here, something m u c h more fabulous 1 happening t o this young man. His adventure is really o u t of tht Arabian Nights. For h i m I a m the foreign magician whom he meets unexpectedly a n d w h o b r i n g s h i m i n t o c o n t a c t with the

Caliph. But this unsuspecting young man took i t with Oriental calm when a t the Pera Palace I took his oath and pledge and let him 1n o n the secret.

O R HE RZL 1327 T H E COM PLE TE DIA RIE S OF T H E O D At Then I let him work, with Wolffsohn watching over him.

nigh t, and about g o'clock I saw that he woul d n o t finish that

telegraphed Ibrah im that I would n’t be comin g. I t was midnight before Badi finished the translation of my letter, the first one perhaps that w i l l get into the Sultan’s hands unadulterated. Following Wolffsohn’s good advice I had the good youth trans|

late his work back i n t o French for me, and as he d i d so I noticed

that he was sacrificing accuracy t o an elegant Turkish. That had t o be corrected, but could n o t be done that night. We w e n t t o Therapia and got into thick fog until 2 a.m. That was another fairy-tale, l i k e so many of the things we encounter here,

but this time a sinister one. These milky-white vapors that enveloped us prevented us even from recognizing the near-by coast. The uncomfortable trip took a very long time. Finally our yacht almost ploughed into the English stationary vessel—and we were i n Therap ia.

J u l y 30, o n boar d the “Kon stant inos”

Early yesterday mor ning I continued work ing with the Sephardi Badi. I had him re-Frenchify his translation for me, and corrected his Oriental stylistic beauties, insi stin g on preserving m y ugli er clarity. ~ Att he end, however, I had h i m append what mig ht be the most ‘mportant sen ten ce: namely, i f the Sultan desired me t o reorganize his finances, I intended to sta rt Tu rki sh lessons im me dia tel y an d noped that s i e three months I wo uld reach the po int of be ing able r oco e nverse withh him directly. Th at sen ten ce I wo uld no t have endi

Then Badi transcribed a fa

utmost slowness.

ir coPY of his

translation

with the i

1328 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERj| made room for m e . G o o d I b r a h i m was a u x p e t i t s soins [all atten, tion] t o me. After lunch I handed my letter t o Aarif Bey.

H e and Ibrahim informed m e 1n this connection that my ex

planation regarding the three m i l l i o n did n o t suffice His Majesty The Sultan wished personally t o tear u p the “three checks in hj possession.” (?) Furthermore, I would have t o make another writ ten declaration t h a t I h a d w i t h d r a w n

t h e deposits, t h a t n o on

could receive payment on them, and that I had no claim of any kind on anyone on the basis of the title t o these three millions. I wrote o u t the desired declaration once more, and i n the ver detailed wording that Ibrahim dictated t o me. Despite this, however, Aarif made a mistrustful face. He prob ably assumed I had decided simply t o forgo the three million. When he left t o go t o the Sultan, Ibrahim gave him—onl nowl—my Philosophische Erzahlungen which I had asked to be presented t o the Sultan i n a sumptuous Turkish binding as long ago as last February. When Aarif had gone, Ibrahim told me that the declaration had written o u t w o u l d produce a good effect. “Elle servira d’arme

contre des adversaires [ I t will serve as ammunition against the

opposition].” These mysterious words can only mean that Izzet and perhaps Ibrahim as well have been accused of having received some money from me, and that now their innocence has come t o light. Aarif w e n t , came back again soon, and gave me an appointmen for today. Ibrahim had asked Wellisch what traveling expenses I had had I most gratefully declined this semi-official presumption. I won! let myself be reimbursed for any expenses. I said I would accep! only the hotel bill, because i t was a d i s t i n c t i o n t o stay here as the gues t o f His Maje sty.

T h e n we spent the sunny afternoon cruising o n the blue Bos porus as far as the Leander tower, splashed past Scutari, then Into

the Golden Horn, and i n the evening returned *

*

*

to

Therapia.

R HER ZL 1329 T H E COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O * as GreenToday i t is pour ing rain . The yacht, my pira te bus, berg would say, is unpleasant i n bad weather. I n By1! faut avoir de la chance a Byzance, ou ne pas y étre [ zantium one m u s t have luck, or n o t be there a t all]. July 3 1 , Thera pia. The unnerv ing negotiations continue. The ceremonial never changes. A t noon I drive i n the state carriage from Beshikta sh t o Yildiz,

where the blind beggars a t the gate already know m y baksheesh. I go past servants, whose itching hands are folded o n their bellies, t o the ever-amiabl e I b r a h i m o n w h o m , nevertheles s, I m u s t b e a great burden by now. Usually he goes t o his office once a week, now

he must come every day and stay i n t o the night.

A fine Turkish luncheon of many courses is served. Then I die of boredom on the leather couch opposite Ibrahim. I t is a miracle that we still have something t o talk about. Yesterday he told me about the musée [museum] salon a t Yildiz which contained valuable porcelain things of many centuries; on Abdul Hamid’s orders a n inventory h a d been made, a n d i n s u c h a w a y

that nothing can be stolen. Then we talked about Jerusalem. H a d I been to the O m a r

Mosque? No! H e said he knew that the Jews did n o t set foot i n it unless they were forced t o do so. The n e x t time I w e n t there I ought t o let myself be forced, he said with a smile. Then he spoke about the wailing wall of the Jews—— A t that moment Aarif Bey came back from the Sultan, with instructions t o accompany me t o the Grand Vizier. The prelimin ary stages of any negotiat ion are terribly complicated and tire me far more than the negotia tion itself. The Grand Vizier seems t o be a kind, good old person, althou gh he i s very shrewd. He began by saying that the Sultan had been very satisfied with my t w o memoranda. * I n English i n the origin al.

1330 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERj

( I n the carriage the very likable Aarif Bey had told me that tj Sultan had given orders t o have m y e n t i r e book translated i p

mediately.) Further, the Grand Vizier said h e had been instructed to infor m e that the Sultan was i n principle inclined to go ahead with ny

propositions. I made alow bow. Then we got into a hazy, blurry, cigarette-smoke-envelope coffee confab, which was supposed t o constitute negotiations. The whole thing was so nebulous that I have retained no definite points. I mentioned the destitution of the Jews i n Eastern Europe. In discussing the situation in Rumania the good Grand Vizier said ironically: ““T'hat certainly shouldn’t happen in civilized countries.” A t this I remarked that this untenable situation—since I had n o word from the Sultan—had caused me t o establish contact with the English government through a Cabinet member and ask then whether they were willing t o grant us colonization i n Africa. And yet, although we wouldn't need t o pay England anythin for i t and, in fact, would probably receive great special privileges, we would prefer the expensive l i t t l e area o f Palestine. I t const:

tuted a symbol. The hearts of our people clung t o i t . This wasa bit of sentimentality from which Turkey could derive great bene fit. T h e Grand Vizier remarked timidly that this m i g h t lead to dif ficulties w i t h the Powers. “ I rely o n your skill, Your Highness. T h e n , too, we ourselves have some influence here and there. Incidentally, i n our presen proposition we have left aside Jerusalem and a l l Holy Places. The

land has temporal and spiritual character. Where i t is spiritualized we won't touch it. But why shouldn’t the ordinary land be mad: arable i n the ordin ary way?” “ B u t Haifa,” said His Highness, “also has strategic value.” “I'he strength that we shall bring into the country has strategie value , too.”

THE COMP LETE DIARI ES OF THEO DOR HERZ L 1331 “Yes, but actually you offer us very few benefits—1.6 mill. pounds, and for that we should make enemies of the Rouvier group which includes all the gros bonnets [big-wigs] of finance?

“Since the Rouvier project remains unchanged even i n your plan, perhaps the t w o operations could be separated, after all.” Only now did I understand what he had meant by separating the operations the first time. H e wants t o carry o u t the consolidation with Rouvier (moyennant écus [for a financial consideration]). After all, the advantage t o the Turkish government was only £1.6 mill. a t the most with me, too. This 1s how we remained after some intricate talk back and forth. L a n u i t m’a porté conseil [The night brough t m e counse l].

I excused myself from luncheon with Ibrah im and am sending the following letter t o the Sultan: *

Jul y 3 1 , 1 9 0 2 Sire: . : have the honor t o sub mit the follo win g considerations to

IM.

The benevolence wit h which I am treated by Y.I .M. has touched me deeply. I see that I am no longer reg arded as a for eig n neg otia tor but as a devoted man i n whom con fidence is placed. . I t would be on my conscience i f I did n o t rep ly wi th comple te ; ankness I am, then, go ing t o su bm it to Y.I .M . wit ho ut the slig htstres ion onnds oferv all .that I am able and witili myati frie ll ng t o do wit h the coopera-

Y He I Nre is an E YevEen be tte r prrop op

os al than the one I ha d for mulated

o e we ready to all ow the Imp. go vt. to share i n the fin an cia l p that m igh t be derived fro m the consolidation pro Proposal wo uld be as fo ject. T h llo

ws . pr oj ec t e ; ac ce pt RoW i ns fu l] the uvier's group co nd itio ns alr ea dy acce pted b y M . iti

* I n French i n the or ig in al ,

1332 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERy

The Imp. govt. w i l l put 32 millions of new obligations at disposal t o carry o u t the consolidation, i n exchange for the g | bonds. We will pay the I m p . Treasury the sum of 1 , 6 0 0 , 0 0 0 pounds. From the profit we make i n the course of the whole transact there will first be deducted the sum of 1 , 6 0 0 , 0 0 0 pounds. The re mainder w i l l be divided equally between the I m p . Treasury an

us. If, by the opposition of M . Rouvier’s group or by other unfore seen circumstances, the consolidation becomes impossible wit

the maximum sacrifice on our part of 1 , 6 0 0 , 0 0 0 , we are free withdraw from the undertaking. B u t i n that case we shall carry o u t the colonization project by itself, while putting the sum of 1 , 6 0 0 , 0 0 0 pounds a t the disposi of the Imp. Treasury. I t is understood that w e s h o u l d need the

Imp. govt.’s assistance

for the consolidation t o the e x t e n t that i t would declare to M Rouvier’s group that i t would be willing t o carry o u t the con solidation only through our agency o r not a t all. I have, Sire, t h e honor t o b e Y . I . M . ’ s most h u m b l e a n d obedient

servant, Dr. Th. H.

July 3 1 , evening O n my brigantine “Konstantinos,” outside Beshiktash, cruising in the wonde rful hues of evening. ‘Today came the decision, short and sharp l i k e a last shot. When I arrived outside Beshiktash at noon, I immediately sent Wellisc h u p w i t h m y letter t o the Sultan . H e had not been gone long and I was just about to have our “Konstantinos ” steam off and to l i e down for a n afternoon nap

when I caught sight of Ibrahim’s servant on the gangway. Wellisch too, came back, saying that I should come t o the Palace 1% media tely.

T H E COMP LETE DIARI ES O F T H E O D O R HERZ L 1333 Cursing, I changed my clothes i n the cabin i n the depths, and again drove u p the Imperia l Mounta in i n my heavy black frockcoat, overco at, a n d top hat.

Ibrahim greeted me sweetly, saying that presumably I hadn't liked the food. B u t I referred h i m t o the letter that I had written for H M . i n my cabinet de travail flottant [floating study]. Ibrahim immediately sent someone after Aarif Bey and had m y letter forwarde d t o H . M .

I hadn’t had t o

sweat

an excessive length of time and stare like

a prisoner a t t h e l i t t l e piece o f heaven, t h e bit o f foliage, a n d the

corner of white Kiosk o u t there when Aarif came back from H . M . with a somewhat cruelly rigid expression. H e brought back m y letter, torn open and with the seal melted off. H.M. had had the Grand Vizier give h i m a report and said that I should come round tomorrow morning after the selamlik and say good-bye, after which I could leave tomorrow evening. After yesterday's dulcet tones this almost sounded like a fall from favor. I t wasn’t clear whether H . M . would grant me a farewell audience. Apparently n o t ; for Aarif further said that I should send the translation of m y letter this very day, for after tomorrow’s selamlik Constans, w h o h a d r e t u r n e d , a n d o t h e r ambassadors were t o be received.

So Constans 1s back. That is i t , i n a nut-shell.* I can imagine how the Rouvier machinery has been functioning against me during this week of my much-noticed presence. I took t h e b l o w i n good part, made some friendly remarks t o the

two executioners, a n d thought I saw a little gleam o f joy i n

Ibrahim’s eyes. Earlier, while I was waiting, he had spoken about my activities. Zionism seemed t o be the m o s t important thing t o me? Yes indeed, I said.

“C’est trés noble [That's very noble]!” he said. I n Byzantium you never know. ®

Translator's Note: . . . des Pudels Kern (the poodle’s core), from Goethe's

Faus t, Part 1.

133¢

T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R

I left for Beshiktash, and Badi sat down i n the cabin of g brigatine and translated. While he was doing this and then calligraphed a clean copy, ny, pirate bus* was dallying around i n the magnificent harbor, 6 o'clock I was outside Beshiktash again and sent Wellisch up; bu

he had t o wait for almost an hour, for Ibrahim had gone out. Accidentally? Intentionally? I n any case, i t w i l l be hard fy H . M . t o devote himself t o such work this very day. And t o m o ; I leave, and the field will be clear again for Rouvier. *

%*

¥*

Yet I am n o t dissatisfied with this turn of events. This 1s the way I understand i t : they are going t o make the con solidation with R., and later they w i l l get back to m y 1.6, whe

they need money again or w a n t t o use me t o scare someone. I think that H . M . has now found o u t for the first time what] want, and he declared himself as n o t quite disinclined. But his decisions are a thousand years old.

Therapia, the same evening

M y sensing that the Grand Vizier would now all the mor urge the acceptance of the Rouvier project was correct, and mj

letter of this morning parried the blow—too late. %*

%*

*

"Two moods may be recorded as ever-recurring ones. T h e anxiety at Yildiz, which increases i n the hours of waiting. Then, the feeling while speaking w i t h them that they aren!

really serious about i t after all. They are like sea foam. Only ther expressions are serious, n o t their intent ions. A n d i t kept occurring t o m e suddenly while deep i n conver?

tion: Why, all of that is just talk. They ®

I n Engli sh i n the origin al.

want

nothing i n reality.

L 1335 S O F TH EO DO R HE RZ T H E CO MP LE TE DI AR IE “Ko ns tan tin os August 1 , o n bo ard the litt le Last voyage from The rap ia t o Beshikt

ash.

|

rni ng since w e v e bee n her e. Pro bab ly the mo st bea uti ful mo

Never before have the magic hues and soft.

of the Bosporus been so sweet

ty-h and ed]. Je m’e n vais bred ouil le [ I ' m leav ing emp rejo ice, for I hav e bee n The idle rs of the dipl oma tic corp s will

a thorn i n their flesh. were saying o n Last nigh t I heard from my balcony what they the terrace. The fat Spanish ambassador asked: “Qui est donc ce monsieur a la grande barbe noire [Who is that man with the big black beard, anyway]?” Soft whispering. I stepped back from the edge of the balcony. Later I overheard the Belgian ambassador saying, evidently still as part of this conversation: “Je n’aime pas les X , les inconnus [I don’t like the X's, the un-

knowns].” And he explained t o his intelligent audience “what an X in mathematics is.” Several among them might have heard it for the first time.

Today I am probably one of the 5 0 0 best-known men in the world. Ce qui n’empéche pas [Which doesn’t prevent] the Belgian ambassador from regarding me as an inconnu. I n the eyes of diplomatic Therapia, the tennis players, gluttons, and lazybones, I am an adventurer of some sort. And what i f one were t o ask: “Qu’est ce que c’est que I’Ambassadeur d’Espagne [What is the Spanish ambassador)?” I n 300 years a Spanish ambassador hasn’t even had the very

slightest function here. H e hasn't even been needed for birthday congratulations.

A Belgian ambassador has never had any raison d’étre [reason for existence] whatever.

Such a man eats up the tax money of poor people from the Borinage i n paradise-like Therapia, hangs around, tells storie s

1336 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERy and listens t o them. And such a bloated frog looks down his nog, the bearer of a cause which means relief t o millions of people, 3 increase i n culture, and progress of a high order. This morning, packed, pressed baksheeshes i n the fabulous countless hands, checked the hotel b i l l ( w h i c h , b y the Tanager;

admission, had been greatly jacked up)—and off! Adieu, beautiful Bosporus! EJ

*

*

The question remains why H . M . made me come. Could i t be because of that declaration about the g millin francs? |

|

O r d i d h e at the last moment get scared o f the returning frightfu

forban [freebooter] Constans?

August 2 , aboard my pirate bus Once again, the last trip from Therapia t o Beshiktash. I couldn’t get away yesterday. Punctually yesterday morning I entered Ibrahim’s office. He hadn't arrived yet. A t 1 1 o'clock he came. H e s e n t for Aarif. I used these minutes t o give h i m a beautiful pair of studs as a souvenir. Then Aarif appeared, and h i m I gave a pearl stick-pin as a fare well present. Both received their presents graciously. While Aarif was on his way t o the Caliph, I carried on tht pleasantries of parting w i t h I b r a h i m . I was scheduled t o leave 0!

the Orien t Express a t 1:50. Ibrahim said he d i d n ’ t want to be indiscreet, b u t he understood that I had not met w i t h success. I said that I was n o t yet acquainted w i t h H . M . ’ s decision. |

A t this Ibrahim said that I mustn’t doubt H.M.’s good inte? tions, even i f he didn’t come to a n agreement w i t h me. I t was t i

that he was an absolute ruler, but he could by n o means do what ever he wanted. * I n English in the orig inal .

R HER ZL 1337 T H E COM PLE TE DIA RIE S OF T H E O D O “I do understand,” I said, “that there is such a thing as the interest of the state which must be obser ved above all.

“Yes.” confirmed Ibrahim, “and for you personally H . M . has a great deal of respect and sympathy. What you want to d o for your

people is very noble. L e sionnisme est tres noble [Zionism 1s very noble].” :

:

I thanked h i m and said that I would always remain a friend o f Turkey and an adherent of this pro-Jewish Sultan. B u t the misery of o u r people i n Eastern Europe d i d n o t permit u s t o wait a n y longer. I said I had already established contact with the English

government and submitted to a Cabinet member, Lord James o f

Hereford, my proposals for the establishment of a Jewish colony in Africa. England required no financial sacrifices whatever from us and was more likely even to smooth our path i n every way.

Ibrahim found this understandable and thought that i f the Sultan saw the success of our colonization i n Africa, he would be more inclined t o do something with us too. I demurred that i t might be too late then, when we had already

made big investments in another place.

The conversation then turned t o philo-S emitic remarks. Ibrahim told me about a Christian play called Marc hand de Venise

[The Merchant of Venice]. Maybe I knew it. I n i t there was a

Jewish usurer who wanted t o c u t a piece of flesh o u t of a Chri stian 's chest. This had been played a t the Yildi z theatre, with an Itali an actor—whatever was his name?

“Salvini-Rossi?” I helped him along. “Rossil” said Ibrahim, pleased, and added: “Yo u

see, we don

’t have any of that i n our country. We hav e no theatre. The refo re n o such inflammatory play can be presented here eith er.” Meanwhile a mysterious servant app eared. Th e Su ltan asked me whether I cou ld delay m y dep art ure un til

Certainly, i f H. M. desired it.

. henfai

eve nin g.

came, with an inscrutable expression,

and asked me

y stay by a whole day, i.e., t i l l this evening, I promised to do so. Bu t the tw o gentlemen n o l o as happy as they had u p t o the n. Why? n e r Tooked :

1338 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERy

A t the exit I whispered t o Wolffsohn t o make a sad face. Izzet was just driving up; I didn’t see h i m until he greeted n p H e did so w i t h a most amicable grin—evidently anticipating my departure. A t Beshiktash Constans was landing from his yacht when I J¢f

my state carriage. From his quick, penetrating glance I could te| that h e guessed w h o I was. His a i r was t h a t o f a victor. H e saw me

depart before the selamlik, h e s t i l l d i d n ’ t know that H.M. ha asked me t o stay. *

%*

*

But what is all this supposed t o mean? Could i t be that my letter of t w o days ago h i t the bull’s-eye? ¥%

¥%

%*

Wolffsohn had said that i t would be better t o make the coloniz tion separately and without the consolidation. This is n o t my view. For this way I may be able t o do without the help of those wretches

who let me languish for seven years. %*

*

%*

I n the evening I found waiting for me a t Therapia the code telegram from Greenberg which had come t o a n accommodation

address; he informed me that he had a sealed private letter from Lord Rothschild for me. I immediately despatched Wellisch for Constantinople on the mouche with this telegram: Open and wire.*

August 3 O n a slow train known as the “Conventionnel,” somewhere In Bulga ria, outsid e Philli popo lis. * ®

I n English in the

original.

%

%*

TH EO DO R H ER Z L 1339 T H E CO MP LE TE DIA RIE S OF ' den and the escaped aga in fro m the mu rde rers So here I am,

in robbers’ country. beginning. l usua Yesterday had the n o repl y from When I Jrrived outside Beshiktash, Wellisch had Greenberg as yet. Nor did i t come during the day. w h e n o w whether the waters would have flowed differe ntly i f1 had ha i e I changed my clothes again on the briganti ne “Konstantinos |

ne

to Yildiz. Thrahinn’s I had to wait only one hour before Tahsin came. I recognized at once that during the night the Yildiz gremlin s had up

been here again and destroyed my work. Again the old childish claptrap about the sujetion ottomane [Ottoman citizenship] and the service militaire and the établissement des israelites “d'une maniére dispersée” [the settling of the Israelites “in scattered form” ]—as Ibrahim, the Drogman d u D:van Impérial [Dragoman of the Imperial Divan], puts it—was warmed up. My counter-proposal regarding consolidation was hardly brought up. The Yildiz gang must have received a tremendous amount of money there. Actually, Wellisch had already given me the news of the day o n the mouche: Big boom i n Turkish securities. A certain Zander, director of the Anatolian railroads, is said t o have purchased Co

300,000 consoli dés [conso ls]!

I gathered from the way Tahsin and Ibrahi m acted that the Sultan’s irade, in confirmation of the government's mazbata, had already been issued. Constans therefore had good reason t o be trium phan t. I raised the question with Tah sin of who wou ld take care of installing the immigrants. Wou ld the governm ent? O r wou ld the creation of a colonization company be permitted? He was going t o let the Sultan decide tha t.

H e left and we we nt to lun ch. Another loathsome me al with those inn um era ble bar bar ic dishes wh ich , acc ord ing t o the Or ien tal custom, have t o be for ced do wn wi th ex cla ma tions of delight. Verita

ble snake food. Al l these

1340 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERy

days while Their Excellencies were eating everything with same cutlery from one plate, I have permitted myself the fun of put.

ting my knife and fork on my plate after each course, whereupq the servants promptly changed m y setting. T e n o r twelve times

all. This might have instilled even more respect i n the menials and their masters than my royal gratuities. Tahsin returned. T h e Sultan assured m e o f his friendship and asked me, first, to accept a subvention for the N . Fr. Pr. second

what m y expenses had been. Re One I refused outright. That was absolutely o u t of the

t o let h i m know

question.

Re T w o I begged h i m n o t to be offended i f I did n o t accept.| regarded myself as sufficiently played host to, since he was paying

my hotel bill. I f he insisted on making me a present, let i t be a book or some other trifle of n o value. Meanwhile we were drinking coffee. I t struck me that Tahsin had his own coffee brought t o h i m i n his own cup. These assassins evidently don’t trust one another o u t of sight. I also had the brief enjoyment of seeing Izzet associating with Tahsin i n Ibrahim’s office. Izzet was dictating something witha cruel air, and Tahsin was writing i t down with a pinched expres sion. Tahsin l e f t a n d then came back.

H e brought m e a message from the Sultan which Ibrahim dictated to m e i n translation, whereupon I had t o acknowledge Its

receipt. Hereitis:

*

Their Excellencies Tahsin Bey, H . I . M . ’ s First Secretary, and Ibrahim Bey, Dragoman of the Imperial Divan, have done me the honor of transmitting the following communicatio n to me: “ T h e Israelites can be received and settled i n the Ottoman Empire under the condition that they be installed, n o t together, that is, dispersed, i n the places adjudged suitable b y the govern ment , and that their numb ers be fixed i n advan ce b y the gove r ment. They will be investe d with Ottom an citizen ship and charged ®

I n French i n the origin al.

F T H E O D O R HE RZ L 1341 T H E CO MP LE TE DIA RIE S O ing mil itar y serv ice, as w e l l as wit h all the civi c dut ies, inc lud

Otto man s.” being subject t o all the laws of the lan d like this communication, I have very respectfully taken cognizance of esty for it, and shall express my deep gratitude t o His Imp eria l Maj consult with my friends about 1t. Yildiz Kiosk, August 2 , 1 9 0 2 Co

Dr. The odo r Herz l. * The supplementary slip (probably suppressed by Tahs in):

Yildiz, August 2 , 1 9 0 2 I permit myself t o add the questi on i f H . I . M . still w a n t s me to go ahead with the project of consolidation, apart from colonization, on the followin g basis: Issuance of £g2 mill. All the accruing profits t o be divided between the Treasury and my friends.— M y receipt was again retranslated by Ibrahim for the Sultan. B u t while he was calligraphing o n his knee, i t occurred to m e

that my conditions of colonization had been used by the Yildiz gang t o fight against me, or rather, t o clear the ground for Rouvier. T o c u t through their n e t as well as t o see clearly whether the Sultan had used me only t o extort concessions from Rouvier a t the last moment, I wrote an additional question o n a second slip. Ibrahim raised his eyebrows. From this I could tell that he too must be in on the Rouvier deal. Prudently enough, however, he made n o objection, b u t docilely copied what I had written. However, he d i d n ’ t close the letter to the Sultan o r affix a seal, but had Tahsin called and handed h i m the addition al note which

the Sultan surely didn’t get t o see. O f course, I don’t know i f the result would have been differen t i f I had sent the supple menta ry note i n a direct letter to the Sultan . ®

I n French i n the origina l.

1342 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F THEODOR H g While Tahsin was with the Sultan, Ibrahim explained to mepg, hard i t was t o say n o t o the Rouvier people a t this point. It like whist. T h e player w h o reflects too long forfeits the right|

over the choice of trumps t o his partner. O h yes, robber whist.

turn

T h e government, Ibrahim continued, would d o itself out o f

credit i f i t now said no. The credit of the Turkish government! And wasn’t that the case as long as a week ago? But I put a good face o n the bad business of these crooks. Ibrahim pulled out a red-silk money bag, showed me—the Chi

Master of Ceremonies of H . M . the Caliph!—that the wax se was Intact, and urgently requested m e i n the name of the Sula

accept the purse. H . M . serait confus [would be embarrassed|if! didn’t a t least accept reimbursement for m y cash expenses. He to

would be offended b y it, etc. However, H . M . reserved the right d:

vous faire u n cadeau q u i serait digne de vous [to make you: present worthy of youl]. I accepted the purse pour mes pauvres [for m y poor]. A t least I can put a small sum into our propaganda treasury.| still don’t know how much is i n the bag. I won't open i t until get to Vienna .

Then the last salaams, and I left the den of Ali Baba and the forfy thieves. %

¥%*

¥*

I believe that i f I succeed in founding the Jewish Eastern Com pany with Rothschild’s help, H . M . will change his t u n e toward me. That would make me a neighbor with whom one has to be on

good terms. August4 Still o n the “Conv ention nel,” somew here i n Hung ary.

L 1343 S OF T H E O D O R HE RZ T H E CO MP LE TE DI AR IE epless ho t nig ht lik e thi s, yo u When you rat tle thr ou gh the sle ole thin g. keep reviewing and revising the wh time? Instead of tak ing the What mistakes have I made this onization, had n't 1 bet ter consolidation only as a pretext for col s for the Sul tan wh ich simply make some business transaction ld have telegraphed would show him my greater honesty? I cou Rothschild, or sent someone t o see Mor gan . |

LJ

*

*

one The Turk s’ way of negotiating is childish, and that is why them isn’t a t one’s best when dealing with them. This again gives an advantage.

More cocasse [droll] details about my friend Ibrahim occur to

me. T o the extent that a Yildiz courtier can be a better type of person, he is one. I do have a certain liking for him. His ignorance is delicious, but I believe that in this respect he is like many European masters of ceremonies. He spoke, among other things, about the love of music of the Viennese: Vienna was the city of music. I was pleased for a moment. I thought that he was saying something sensible. “Oui, partout ces musiques militaires [Yes, those military bands everywhere]!” he added. %

%

%*

When on the last day I had the Sultan asked throug h Tahsin how he envisaged the settlement “d’une maniére dispersée [in a scattered form] ,” whether the government would give the peopl e the funds, or wheth er i t woul d be perm issibl e to set u p a n orga ni-

zation, 1.e., a company, he s e n t me the repl y that this was only a

question of deta il of imp lem enta tion . I f ther e is n o t conc eale d b e h i n d this the desi re t o brea k off t h e

negotiations for this time, i t is a piece of asin %*

#*

#

inity , pur e and sim ple

1344 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERy] Still, I believe that things are n o t i n a bad way.

They have grown accustomed in Yildiz and the Porte t o looking upon m e as someone interested i n the vilayet o f B e i r u t . Some day

—when they are dans la déche [reduced t o beggary], as the Jey Daoud Effendi told m e as early as 1896—they will suddenly send for m e in their need, and throw the thing i n my lap.

The only question 1s when that m o m e n t will come. I believe that I can greatly expedite i t if I manage, with the help of Lord Rothschild o r the English government, to create the Jew.

ish Eastern Company. This m u s t be my next task now. ‘Then I would be a serious b u t friendly neighbor to the sanjak

of Jerusalem, which I shall somehow acquire a t the first opportu. nity, as the Bulgarians did with Eastern Rumelia. *

%*

*

I f Rothschild’s wire today amounts to a refusal, I shall try to

approach Chamberlain.

August 5, o n the train, between Attnang and Aussee ‘The mystery of Rothschild’s letter, which I had already been advised of at Constantinople and for whose contents I have been

waiting for four days now, sending ever more urgent telegrams, has now been revealed. This morning I received a telegraphic summary from Green berg. There is only one word for i t : Rubbis h! I won't learn the text until I reach Aussee, and I shall word my

reply—provided I make one a t all—accordingly. I see this much even now: I shall remain thrown o n m y own resou rces, n o w as befor e. N o w I w a n t t o try the E n g l i s h plan d i r e c t l y through Chamber:

lain. T o be sure, there is l i t t l e hope that the English government

will do anything with us if we don’t have Rothschild on our side I will try to approach Chamb erlain through Greenb erg. O f all my

L 1345 S OF TH EO DO R HE RZ T H E CO MP LE TE DI AR IE past year, been the most efficient helpers Greenberg has, du rin g the b y far . *

*

*

erlain, I wil l make an Even i f nothing can be done wit h Chamb attempt i n Ital y. trav elin g part of Ehrenpreis, the Rab bi of Sofia, told me whil e |

|

has asked the way with me on the train that the King of Italy

in Sofia, the Italia n attaché Polacco, a Jew and form erly stationed abou t about our movement. Natu rally the Jew Polacco knew less i t than the king. But this young little king who has as yet done nothing t o become immor tal* and has interests in the Medite rranea n, could perhaps be used in some way. 4 creuser [to be explored]! Perhaps one can get to h i m through Lombros o?

This political-financial chapter on the Bosporus in which I almost became a figure is really quite a curious bit of history. The French politicians Constans and Rouvier—les républicains d'affaires [the republicans of business]!—made a deal for their own pockets; the Germans, however, for the Empire. For the

consolidation, from which the Constans-Rouvier company will make stock-exchange profits, will release Turkish revenues which guarantee the Bagdad railroad; and that is German influence. Thus German policy has paid the representatives of France a gratuity o u t of the Sultan’s pocket for having supporte d interests which every French patriot must fight. And this outfit looks down on us Jews.

August 1 2 , Alt-Ausse e

Lord Rothschild’s letter is empty, evasive verbiage . Neverthe-

less, upon the advice of prudent Greenberg I a g 1 am givin g him the friendly reply: he

:

following

* Translators Note: “ ni from Schiller's Don Carlos, Act I L f a r .

.

oe

oo

chts

4

d

: y

die

>

Unsterblichkeit getan . .

rh

[

"—a

quotation

1346 T H E C O M P L E T E

DIARIES

O F T H E O D O R HERy

Dear Lord Rothschil d:

This is my first chance after my return from Constantinople, answer your letter. Let m e confess t o you that your reply is n o t entirely what [ hy

expected. Oh, i f you only had some inkling of the boundless distress of oy honest poor people—I am n o t talking of shnorrers [beggars] ay rabble—you would listen t o me better. I am enclosing a rando newspaper clipping. I could send you such clippings every da from all sorts of countries. There is no counting the heart-breaking letters from worker groups, business people, academically trained men, that I receiv I must answer with a sigh: I cannot help you! People of this kind want n o handouts of money—if they did they would n o t turn to me—but opportunities for work anda existence safeguarded from persecution. Charitable institution cannot offer them this anywhere. For this reason I am glad a t least t o gather from your letter th you are beginning t o see our cause from a higher point of view thu the merely charitable one. I f I a m not mistaken i n this, I woul

regard i t as good fortune for the cause i f you were willing to take over, or a t least influence, the administration of the Hirsch Fund I will tell you confidentially—the way I am speaking to youl general—that i t is to be ascribed only to m y influence i f the indi nation of the desperate poor at the I . C . A . has n o t hitherto led 0 publi c scandals.

I shall be very pleased i f you see fit t o inform me about your it tentions. Your communications w i l l remain as secret as you your self desire. Insofar as this is compatible with our Zionist principle I'shall also be glad t o place my modest powers a t your disposal only t o make sure that my organizations do n o t inadvertently work at cross purposes w i t h you i n some deser ving enterp rise.

The recognition that you accord t o my modest activities which unfortunately are still unsuccessful, has pleased me greatl; comin g as i t does from a master so much tested i n good works.

R Z L 1347 F THEODOR HE O S IE R IA D TE THE COMPLE ist have a German epigrammat th e I n this co nn ec tio n

words of

just occurred t o me: t W ir wollen weniger gelob Un d mehr gelesen sein! e’d rather be praised less and read more!]*

discussion of me an d that I wish that there were no longer any d. our poor people were helped instea Sincerely and respectfully yours, Herzl. August 2 2 , Alt-Aussee

Another letter of amicable opposition from Lord Rothschild, dated August 18, t o which I am replying as follows: Dear Lord Rothschild:

s o o o 5 to acknowledge, with thanks, your letter of friendly

agree that the Jewish commonwealth which would like t o set up will have t o be small, orthodox not

:

L e illiberal.iseivings for three years on a coherent reply to this

. od] which] i n t o a book with the title Altneula nd [Old-Newo e hie will appear i n a few weeks; you shall be among th om I shall send it. 8 =e re i justonehing I would like to say now. Were the foundeducated n e w ” now are great mightier mightie r,, cleverer, cleverer , better unten bone e r ! an we Jews of today? Poor shepherds and

In our own eae on ed communities which later became states ablichod h a e

reeks, Rumanians, Serbs, Bulgarians ha ves—and should we be incapa b] of doing so? oe pable race Our is Na more efficient i n everything than most other peoples P oes toopl : T he conclusion (misquoted) of G. E r’s Note slato s, to his reader |

i

Lo

:

€pigram

+

E.

Leas

ur-l ine

1348 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER

of the earth. This, in fact, is the cause of the great hatred. Wel, just had n o self-confidence u p to now. O u r moral misery wil} a t a n e n d o n the day w h e n w e believe i n ourselves. N aturally the,

will always be fights and difficulties, internal and external op B u t what country, what state does n o t have them? A n d we sh;

always produce the men t o grapple w i t h these difficulties. The coming into being of the Jewish commonwealth, the Je ish colony—call i t what you will a t the beginning—will not;

regarded by the Powers with repugnance o r mistrust. For thi have much and sufhcient proof.

Book Thirteen August 22, 1902

(Wedding anniversary of my parents, celebrated for the first time

without my good father)

chi ld:) (Co ntin uat ion of the lett er t o Ro ths s wit h the Tu rki sh governI n particular, Iam on the best of term i t pub lish ed i n the Zio nis t ment. I t is true tha t rec ent ly I had ple did n o t lea d t o any papers that my last trip t o Con stan tino I had m y reasons for this result: I cou ld have concealed this, but disclosure. an’s confidence The main thing, you see, is that I enjoy the Sult nge phe nom eno n, cons ider t o a rare degree. This i n itse lf is a stra id things abou t ing that he has been told so many bad and stup |

, a n d all that sort o f me— that I wan t t o beco me K i n g o f Pale stine frankness nonsense. I , however, have spoken t o h i m with absolute

but and simplicity, n o t as with a tyran t before whom one trembles, as with a human being with huma n feelings, and I believe that this has won him. I t may also have been the fact that he has convin ced himself on various occasions that I am n o t o n the lookou t for money. Imagine, Milord —I am telling you this, like everyth ing else, in the strictest confiden ce—qui te some time ago he offered me tremendous business opportun ities and concessions which a lot of people would probably run their legs off to get. I account for this

saying that he is satisfied that I would n o t cheat him, and in this he is right. My aversion t o various deals which have been proposed by h i m to myself by

(by him!) is, to be sure, n o t just that of a m a n of letters. T h e i r ex-

ecution, you see, contains the danger that m y financial helpers might n o t be able t o serve h i m as fairly as I require for m y political purposes and for the preservation of his gratitude and confidence. Maybe i n so thinking I have made mistakes born o f timidity.

T h e latest proposal he made me was t o handle the conversion for him which he entrusted to Rouvier w i t h the greatest reluctance.

. . Wh

wonderingwhether I shouldn't have informed you of

peccable correctness Was this a 4 under? ors Plosss tellme maeyour a m ev ioe wn Please tell quite straightforwardly. From your reply I shall learn how t o be:

have i n a similar situatio n, which may recur today o r tomorr ow.

What you tell me about the Hirsch Fund is of interest t o me. I 1351

1352 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R a m only afraid that there will again b e a h i t c h i n the executig

when the plan is carried o u t . B u t we shall see. I think you ough t o join the administration i n order t o bring about a change,

Sincerely and respectfully yours, Herzl.

Augus t 23, Alt-Aussee Letter to Crespi, whom I n o w want to get rid o f at last, since

has been a financial burden on us for a long time. Sent off after long deliberation on August 26, 1go2:* Dear S i r :

Thank you for your kind letters of the 14th and 2 0 t h . I am ven sory not to have seen you either at Constantinople or at Aus

when you came back from Paris. Yet I had asked M . de D . to adv you of my return. I t was probably too late. Here, then, is what I should like t o tell you. I d i d n o t achievean results and do n o t want t o wait any longer. More accurately:| cannot wait.

Knowing your good feeling for me and above all your discretion I shall tell you confidentially what I expect t o do. I shall tryt obtain the territories necessary for our colonization i n one of th English possessions. M y last trip t o London already had this air Personally I preserve a l l m y l i k i n g for 363, for he has been¢

charming as can be t o me. I f I have an opportunity of being¢ service t o him, I shall always take i t . B u t 401 was quite differen! Who have been the harmful influences I don’t know. Probablyt: same ones who are slowly ruining h i m .

|

I am losing a chance with him, perhaps my last one. 4 0 1 cou: have been his salvation. You will understand, dear sir, that under these circumstant

our business affiliation has also become pointless. I was going" tell you this upon your return from Paris and inform you at i * I n French i n the origin al.

L 1353 S OF TH EO DO R HE RZ TH E CO MP LE TE DI AR IE

y you your mo same time that I shall continue t o pa

nthly stipend |

un til October. ays be gla d to have persona I t goes wit hou t saying that I shall alw ember me kin dly . news from you, and I beg you t o rem Wit h friendly greetings, Yours devotedly, Her zl. *

%*

%*

Letter to M m e . d e Korvi n-Pia trovsk a:

Dear Mada me:

My dear and respected friend Attorney Yasinovski writes me about your kindness i n interesting the Ministry of the Interior i n our cause. Perhaps you could induce H i s Excellency to obtain a n

audience for me with H.M. the Czar quite soon. Maybe the Czar still remembers me. A few years ago I had the privilege of transmitting t o h i m a detailed memorandum o n Zionism, for which H.M. conveyed his thanks t o me through H . R . H . the Grand Duke of Baden. Later the Czarina’s brother, H . R . H . the Grand Duke of Hesse, wanted to introduce m e a t Darmstadt, b u t

the Czar happened t o be indisposed. During the Peace Conference a t The Hague I once had occasion to act for the Czar’s interests, and this was reported to H . M . b y

Ambassador von Stahl, as I was informe d by Councillor-of-State von Bloch, since deceased. Proof of this must still be i n the Hagu e files. Also, a Grand Duke once had the kindness of favorably men tion|

Ing my endeavors t o the Czar.

ill oy orpose o ftheudience would be t o reque st H.M.’s good Would in partieslon ”

wou

make the greatest impression, and a salutary stim ulan t for our young people, who so easily go astray pol itic ally , as wel l as encouragement to persevere wit h the Zionist ide al.

1354 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERy

Please be assured of my most heart-felt gratitude, my dear my ame, for everything you do for our great cause.

Very faith fully yours, T h . Herzl.

September 2 2 , Vienna Letter for Chamberlain: M y dear Mr. Greenberg: This 1s t o acknowledge, with thanks, receipt of your telegraphic communication that Mr. Chamberlain is willing t o grant me an interview. I can understand that Mr. Chamberlain wishes to define the limits of this interview i n advance. O n the other hand, at ths

when I am still completely ignorant of M r . Chamberlain’ point of view, there are some difficulties in finding o u t those point that he might be interested in knowing more about.

moment

There 1s the danger of tiring a busy man’s patience with point less remarks before we get to the heart o f the matter. I n converst

tion, however, one clears a path for oneself through the under brush i n five minutes. Nevertheless I will preface things with a brief apercu [remark As the recognized leader of the Zionist movement i n a l l countries! have the opportunity of not only having a comprehensive view of Jewish migration of the present and the immediate future, but also of influencing i t somewhat. T o begin with, three to four hundred

thousand people will be involved. I t is a problem that does not involve only alien paupers* and

does n o t concern only the countries of Eastern Europe. For Eng land the matter has gained a certain timeliness through the alief

immigration,* which, as we know, led

to

the appointment of 4

commission. I don’t regard the question which this commission ! * I n English i n the original.

EO DO R HE RZ L 1355 THE COMPLETE DIA RIE S OF TH eve that the commission wil l to deal with as bur ning yet and beli rtance or nothproduce either a few regulations of secondary impo ission

whatever. should the Englis h gover nmen t wish to look more closel y ut into my propositions, the first task would be to give the entire ing

matter an inconsp icuous charac ter. A sufficie nt explan ation

the outside will be the drainin g off of immigra nts w h o m i g h t i v e rise to friction or even economic disturbances i n some parts o and England.

in reality ] mean more than this. I should like t o interest . Mr. Chamberlain i n a settlement of the Jews on a major scale 1H theBritish possessions.I t would be much too early to go i n t o details of implementation now. The preliminary question is whether I can make him well disposed t o the cause in principle. Like a merchant applying for credit I will open all books t o him and tell him unreservedly how we stand, what we need, and what we can do.

Should he then find that he will become an augmentor of the British Empire i f he helps push our propositions through, I shall

give him the details of impl eme ntati on i n oral discu ssion, and h e

can even then modify, improve, or reject them.

Mr. Chamberlain may be assured of my disc retion under all

circumstances.

Sincerely yours, Herzl. In addition to that I am wr itin g Greenberg a few less for ma l private lines,

Crespi is and remains a fu amusing,

September 24, Vi en na

1356 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F THEODOR HERy m y lack of courage. H e wants to go o n fighting, “undaunted,” 5 ,

Austrian politicians say, even though I don’t pay him every mo; A n enthusiast. E t puis ¢ a ne l u i coute que des lettres [And it h i m nothing b u t letters].

September 27, Vienn;

I t is one of the wondrous ironies of m y life that I as an warrior now have t o defend the N . Fr. Pr. against the ney founded Die Zeut. I t 1s o n Zionism that the N . Fr. Pr. has done the worst job

suppression 1n its existence—and now Benedikt asks me to dow best t o bring the competition to its knees. For tomorrow’s paper I am supposed t o contribute the feuillet and a n editorial!

October 1 , Vienna

Yesterday had another strolling conversation with Benedikt “Quantum mutatus ab illo [How different from his forme self].”* I told h i m what point the movement has now reache Sultan, Royal Commission, Russia, etc. H e was very much su prised b y this and said he was “beginning to believe i n i t . ”

October}

Lette r t o the Grand D u k e o f Bade n:

Most Illust rious Gran d Duke , Most Grac ious Princ e a n d Lord :

I herewith permit myself most respectfully to present to You

Royal Highness m y new book Altneuland. I t i s a fable which, as i t were, I a m t e l l i n g b y the camp-firest

keep u p the good spirits of my poor people while they are on i march. ®

Translator’s Note : From Virg il's Aeneid,

11, 274.

57 O F T H E O D O R HE RZ L 13 T H E CO MP LE TE DI AR IE S T o hold ou t is everything. |

|

. I bel iev e tha t all nat ion s are The book deals wit h a new society haps this late nt ser ious nes s ever on the road t o a new society. Per of the w i s e prin ce wh om I in my fable wil l arouse the sympathy

venerate so warmly and gratefully. I remain

You r Roy al Highness’ resp ectfu l servant, Dr. T h . H .

*

*

*

October 5 Dear Lord Rothschild: I n my last letter, receipt of which you have not acknowledged as yet, I promised you m y book Altneuland . I a m sending i t t o you

today. There will, of course, be stupid people who, because 1 have chosen the form of a Utopia which has been used by Plato and Thomas More, will declare the cause t o b e a Utopia. I fear n o such

misunderstanding in your case. Nor will you blame me too much for the small but well-deserved rap on the knuckles which I give t o your Viennese cousin. With kindest regards, Sincerely yours, Herzl.

October T o Phill ip Eule nbur g a t Liebe nber g:

Your Highness:

I am having my publisher send Y our Highnes s m y new book P

Altneuland.

:

1358 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HEgj Kindly regard this as a token of the great and sincere venera, with which I ever remain You r obe dien t servan T h . Herzl. LJ

*

*

T o Court-Marshal Eulenburg: Your Excellency: I take the liberty of presenting herewith m y new book Altneu land with the request t o transmit i t t o the Kaiser when the oppo tunity offers.

This will, I hope, bring back t o H . M . n o t unpleasant memori of his Palestinian journey of the year 1898. Begging Your Excellency t o accept the expression of my deep! respect, Your obedien t servant, D r . Theodo r Herzl.

T o Biilow :

Your Excellency: I a m having m y publisher send Your Excellency m y new book A l t n e u l a n d . Please b e good enough t o accept i t as a token of mt const ant vener ation.

An Imperial Chancellor, t o be sure, has no chance t o do ar reading. M a y I therefore briefly state the contents. I n form i t isa Utopiz i n subject matter i t i s not. I n fact, I wrote the Utopia o n l y to sho

that i t is none. T h e traveler to the Orient o f 1898 will recogni

many things i n it. Also, i t deals with a future society—not only tha of the Jews. I don’t know i f this society will really be l i k e that, bu it Is more likely t o exist than the famous state o f the future whid Rich ter i n his blin d zeal js dem olish ing.

TH EO DO R HE RZ L 1359

OF THE COMPLETE D IAR IES ept the expression of my deepBegging Your Excellency t o acc est respect,

You r obe die nt serv ant, The odo r Her zl.

October 2 0 , Lond on, morn ing Again bolted from the office like a schoolboy. A t this mome nt they don’t even know that I'm gone. The feuille ton for yesterday, Sunday, I wrote on Friday and didn’t send i t t o the office until

Saturday evening. I n order t o make my “Master” (drama) more favorably disposed toward me,I flashed an interview with Chamberlain before his eyes in my farewell letter which is t o be delivered t o him today. He is t o telegraph me here whether it is all right with him. This would a t the same time be the pardon for m y slipping away and make my return easier for me. En route I often conversed (mentally) with Chamberlain. I envisage the following as an introduction: “You are accustomed to see great historical questions suddenly rise before you.” *

Actually, such a conference cannot really be calculated. Everything is inspira tion, dispos ition of the mome nt, presence o f mind.

Octo ber 21, Lond on

There has been no wire from Benedikt. A n indi cati on of, or the prelude to, the break, that is, my job qui ttin g m e . * * In any case, i t is making me very nervou s. Afte r all, my live lihood is at stake. I wil l try t o wri te a feu ille ton today by way of compensation for my trip , since I am no t to see Ch am ber lain un til to

morrow.

: I n English i n the orig inal. Translator’s Note: Herz l’ grim humor.

crel's phrase,

“mei

“meines Gegangenwerdens,” is a b i t o f

1360 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E ;

October 2 2 , London , i n the forenog Today I a m to have the appointment with the great Joe. Meanwhile, to placate m y bread-givers, I a m writing a feu;

ton, “October Evening in London.” I t is a miserable piece, but considering the things going rou i n m y head, i t is a n extraordinary performance.

I t reminds me of how, seven years ago, while writing The Jeui State, 1 took down ‘stormy sessions’ a t the Palais Bourbon an telegraphed thousands of words about them.

October 23, London

Talked yesterday with the famous master of England, Joe Cham berlain. One hour. I expounded everything I had intended to bri up, and he was a good listener. Unfortunately my voice trembled a t first, which greatly annoy me while I was speaking. After a few minutes, however, things improved and I talk calmly and incisively, to the extent that m y rough-and-ready Eng

lish permits it. Addressing myself t o Joe Chamberlain's motionless mask, I pre sented the whole Jewish question as I understand i t and wish #0 solve i t . M y relations with Turkey , etc. “I am in negociation with the Sultan,” I said. “But you kno what turkish negociations are. If y o u want to buy a carpet, fir y o u must d r i n k half a dozen cups o f coffee a n d smoke a h u n d r

cigarettes; then you discuss family stories, and from time to tim you speak again a few words about the carpet. N o w I have tim

to negociate, but my people has not. They are starving in the pale. I must bring them an immediate help.” Etc.* A t the “carp et” story the mask laugh ed. Then I came t o speak about the territory which I wanted fro England: Cyprus, El Arish, and the Sinai Peninsula. ® Translator’s

retained .

Note:

Ori

inal

g1

text.

H

’

.

h

erzl’'s English a n d orthogr aphy

have bed

61 EO DO R H E R i TH OF S IE AR DI TE LE THE COMP ak on ¥O ffic e, But t o He began by saying that he could spe rest was

CPEs

not 0

Cone ess t om out for the sake of newf elived Gre eks and Mo slem s

n e could n o t crowd the

! nd b y the m. N o w i f the ree nts.Rather, i tthewassuphisporduttyoftoGrestaece an d Ru ssi a— we re to res ist

—perhaps with be real difficulties. Personally, he Jewish immig ration, there wo uld

y. And if by chance

had nothing against the Jews; on the contrar

his v e i n s , he wo uld be he were to have a drop of Jewish blo od in drop . proud of it. But voila [behold], he didn ’t have a like d the However, he was prepared t o help i f he could; he Zionist idea, etc. s In fact, if I could show him a spot in the English possession where there were no white people as yet, we could talk about that. |

I n Cyprus there would be a trades- union* problem , l i k e the one

here in the East End, which would arise from the influx of foreign workmen. (I am reproducing his statements i n somewhat disjointed form, the way they come back to me. H e denied the existence of anti-

Semitism in England. Perhaps there would be restrictive legislation if Jewish immigration were intensified—this evidently was a hint to me, the gypsy chieftain, to call off m y hordes—but the race question did not enter i n t o i t ; i t was solely a trades-uni trades-unio n* on* question). Just as the Greeks would resist the Jews i n Cyprus , the Australians were now opposing I n d i a n immig ration . They are afraid of being swamped. And i n his office he could n’t d o anything again st

lati the will of the indigenouspopulation.

yEHng aga

y

in Our country everything is o u t i n the open, and if Cyprus

were discussed i n diately.”

this way, a storm wou ld brea k loose i mme-

To which I replied that no t everythin g in politics is really disclosed to the public—onl] y results, or whatever may happen t o be needed i n a discuss ion. | then un fol de d my Pla n of first of all hay-

* In English in the origina

l.

1362 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R Hey, ing a current created i n our favor i n Cyprus. W e ought t o| invited t o come there. I w o u l d have t h i s prepared for by halt, dozen emissaries. Once w e establish t h e J e w i s h Eastern Compan,

with 5 million pounds capital, for settling Sinai and E l Arish, the

their island The Moslems will move away, the Greeks will gladly sell the,

Cypriots will begin t o w a n t t h a t golden r a i n o n

lands a t a good price and migrate t o Athens or Crete. H e seemed to take to the idea. B u t h e said he could make statement o n E l Arish a n d S i n a i . T h e government w o u l d want

hear the views of Lord Cromer, o f w h o m they thought very highl

Too bad that Lord Cromer was n o longer here. He had alread returned t o Egypt. “ I can send somebody there,” I said. “ B u t you will have t o speak t o the Foreign Office.” “ H e l p m e t o d o so, M r . Chamberlain! I a m l e a v i n g the day aft

tomorrow.”

H e thought i t over and gave me an appointment for today 1 2 : 1 5 , when I would be able t o see Lord Lansdowne. Was i t before or after this that I drew a map of E l Arish for hic o n a piece of paper that lay o n his desk? Along with this, my Hal hinterland idea: I hoped to induce the Turks to come to tem with me sooner if I also turned u p a t the Brook of Egypt. Then! might get the Haifa area cheaper.

A t this the smooth-shaven mask laughed once more and drops his monoc le.

But he had no idea where E l Arish was, and so we went to abi

ax

table where he pulled o u t a n atlas from among other books, i n the atlas located Egypt. While h e d i d so h e said: “ B u t i n Egip we would have the same difficulty w i t h the present inhabitant “No,” 1 said, “ w e w i l l n o t go to Egypt. W e have been there.” H e laughed again, this time bent deep over the book. Only nor did he underst and m e complet ely, m y desire to obtain a rally: point for the Jewish people i n the vicinit y o f Palesti ne. * I n English i n the orig inal .

O D O R H E R Z L 1363 TH E CO MP LET E DIA RIE S OF T H E can give us I n El Arish and Sinai there is vacant land. England the gratithat. I n r e t u r n she would reap an increase in power and

e an 1 m rude of t e n milli on Jews. All this I told him, and i t mad pression on him. A n d I came right o u t with i t :

oo

“Woul d you agree t o our found ing a Jewish colony o n the Sinai

Peninsula?”

“Yes!” he said, “ i f Lord Cromer recommends i t . ” So that is the n e x t thing I must attend to. H e dismissed me, and we arranged to meet again today.

His private secretary is a young lord with whom I once had lunch at Sir Francis’s. H e greeted me, b u t I d i d n ’ t recognize h i m . I n the anteroom, strangely enough, I found the S o u t h African

Langermann. I imagined that Chamberlain would ask h i m about me, and gave h i m the “good t i p ” to say that h e was a Zionist. Later

I ran into him a t the hotel, and he reported that Chamberlain really had inquired about me, just as I had foreseen. Langermann claims t o have replied: You and Dr. Herzl are m y t w o chiefs.* I n any case, i t must have made an impress ion o n Chamb erlain that this South African promoter, too, should be one of m y men. Chamberlain does n o t give the impression of being brillia nt. Not a man of imagination, a sober screw manu factu rer who wants to expand the business. A mind with out litera ry or artis tic resources, a busin

an absolutely clear, unclouded head. he

oe ring

essman, b u t

thing about the intervie w was that h e d i d n ’ t

undoubtedly r a e t h now edge of the British possessions which whose manager isn’t . Site sume. heh e r o s k e a big junk i n the stock SHOP rors. q sure wheth er some unusu al article is

I need a place for the Jewish peo ple to assemble. He ’s go ing to take a look and (hat i n stock. see 1f Eng land happens t o have som ethi ng l i k e :

T h e m a i n re su lt, a tre m endous

:

one, which I 1s that Joe Chamberlain does no t rej * I n English i n the or igi na l.

achieved yesterday

ec t a lim ine [ou tri gh t] the ide a

1364 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7

of founding a self-governing Jewish colony* in the southeaster, corner of the Mediterranean. Today I am taking this t o Rothschild, with whom I have, midday appointment .

October 24, on the train, between London and Folkestone

Yesterday was, I believe, a great day i n Jewish history. However, before recording i t here I will write the memorandum which was requested by Lord Lansdowne and which I shall send t o Zanguwill from Paris for translation. Memorandum: Milord:

I n accordance with your kind oral request I have the honor to submit herewith a brief sketch of my plan. I t 1s a matter of solving the Jewish Question of Eastern Europ i n a way that redounds to England's honor, b u t also to her advan tage. T h e stimulus for the British government to occupy itself with this question is supplied b y the immigration t o the East End of London. I t 1s true, this is still n o calamity worth mentionin g, and I hope it will never become one to the extent that England would have to break w i t h t h e glorious principle o f free asylum. B u t the fact that

a Royal Commission was appointed for the matter will make It sufficiently plausible i n the eyes of the world i f the British gover m e n t considers i t s e l f impelled t o o p e n u p a

special territory

for

the Jews who are oppressed everywhere and thus gravitate t o Eng and.

This explanation is n o t superfluous, for the same Powers

which

are now forcing their Jews o u t of the country and thus are not obstructing the emigration endeavors of the Zionist movement ®

In English i n the original.

) E R Z L 1365 OF T H E O D O R H S IE AR DI E ET THECOMPL d im pe deu s: ange their minds an ch ht ig m g in ct re di hich I am 1 the sou e In England's power 1 as re inc an at th r ve co dis ey Ee |

ern corner of the Mediterranean

is i n the offing. I n the

l; atter + such jealousy would bother our emigrants a great dea longer do anything ime. when things are rolling, they can no oth

southeast of the Mediterranean Eng

lan d has a possession

ost uninha which at present is worthless and alm

bited. I t

is

the

insula. coastal area of El Arish and the Sinai Pen home, of the This area could be made the place of refuge, the

esJews hard-pressed all over the world, if England permits the tablishment of a Jewish colony there. For a considerable period of time I have been negotiating with the Turkish government, i n the name of the Zionist moveme nt,

for the cession of part of Palestine. Turkish negotiations take a

long time, andI intend to continue them with the Sultan, who is personally favorably disposed toward me—if only t o prevent even the shadow of a doubt from arising about the absolute peacefulness of the settlements in El Arish, etc., i f we are granted them. Practically speaking, the settlement might be carried out i n

roughly the following way. The British government will give us —

ron

concession into whose details i t would be

When the land concession is granted, the taxes to be paid

to the

Empire by the Jewish colony should be determined, too. any oe Ton " o e concession we shall form a settlement com-

pounds capital, stern Company, with, let us say, five millio n This Company wi ll handle the se ttlement according t o pla n. A staff ofrtech e tonicj pr ansem and3F a 1cultu ex exp pe ertrts s wi ll immediately be ral BT sent th :

will

i

construction of roads, railroads, an d

1366 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL there is a n English Federation (Chairman Sir Fr. Montefiore, in

London), a South African one (Chairman Mr. Goldreich, Johan. nesburg), a Canadian one (Chairman Mr. Clarence de Sola, Montrea l).

Naturally, the federations in Eastern Europe are much more numerous. All federations are now centralized i n Vienna. Through them we can make the individual associations into emigration authori.

ties of absolute reliability and with uniform regulations. The immigrants will be presented t o us b y the Local Groups, and each such group will be responsible t o us for the fitness of the people selected. The purpose of this is t o assure us of a sound core of pioneers. The settlement will be made according t o the most modem principles which science and experience furnish us. The capital of the Company and the labor of the carefully selected first settlers w i l l constitute only the beginning of the colony. B u t i f this were all, then this settlement too would only remain something artificial and trivial, l i k e other, earlier attempts at

Jewish colonization. The undertaking will be made great and promising by the granting of colonial rights. This is the tremendous attraction for the outlawed, enfeebled, and unfortunate Jewish people. Not only the hungry people of Eastern Europe w i l l move where they find work. People with some capital, too, will found enterprises where they will be able t o enjoy the fruits of their labors. Even some very rich people will go along from Russia. All these are facts which I know i n detail and for which confi-

dential proof is available. I n some short years the Empire would be bigger b y a r i c h colony. T h e fact that nothing exists i n this territory a t present does not

milit ate against my assertions. Wherever there is a house n o w there used to b e a n empty building plot, and at a technically much more helpless t i m e Venice was not even b u i l t o n sand, b u t i n t o the wate r.

Human beings are the wealth of a country, and England can

T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1367 make an enormous acquisition of human beings—not only of the hundreds of thousands who w i l l immigrate within a few years in order t o fertilize the wasteland with their capital and their labor, a n d t o establish a p e a c e f u l h o m e . A l l o t h e r Jews i n t h e w o r l d , too, will come into England’s fold a t one stroke—if n o t politically, then

a t least morally.

This is one of those imponderables that Bismarck had such an appreciation of. There are, a t a conservative estimate, t e n million Jews i n the whole world. N o t everywhere will they be allowed t o wear the colors of England openly; but they will all wear England i n their hearts i f through such a deed i t becomes the protective power of the Jewish people. A t one stroke England w i l l get ten million

the world. They sell needles and thread i n many small villages i n the East;

secret but loyal subjects active in a l l walks of life all over

b u t they are also wholesale m e r c h a n t s , industrialists, stock brokers,

scholars and artists and newspapermen and other things. As a t a signal, all of them will place themselves a t the service of the magnanimous nation that brings long-desired help. England w i l l get t e n m i l l i o n agents for her greatness and her

influence. And the effect of this s o r t of thing usually spreads from the political t o the economic. I t is surely n o exaggeration t o say that a Jew would rather purchase and propagate the products of a country that has rendered the Jewish people a benefaction than those of a country i n which the Jews are badly off. When the other nations of Europe were still asleep, England used the new means of communicatio n t o expand and fortify its present colonie s. Similarly, there are values that fall to the share of the one w h o

acquires them a t a time when they are esteemed lightly. May the English government recognize what value there is in gainin g the Jewish people . I a m , Your Lords hip. R e s p e c t f u l l y yours,

Dr. Theodor Herzl.

1368 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES OF THEODOR HERZL October 24

O n shipboard, between Folkestone and Boulogne. Bright day.* The congenial coast of England disappears.

This, then, was yesterday. A t 1 2 : 1 5 I entered Chamberlain’s business salon. For that is what the Colonial Office reminds one of. T h e drawing room of a

shipping magnate. Chamberlain rose, very busy.* H e could spare me only a few minutes. But he said so in a most friendly manner. I believe the tip* which I gave on my way o u t yesterday to the South African who also happened t o have an appointment contributed t o his friendliness. H e was impressed* by my far-reaching influence. I remained standing i n order n o t t o take his time. So, naturally, did he. H e said t o me: “ I have arranged a meeting between you and Lord Lansdowne. H e expects you a t 4:30 i n the afternoon. I have already smoothed the way for you. Present the whole matter to him, b u t do not mention Cyprus. The Cyprus part of i t is my affair. Tell him i n particular that your proposed colony is n o t a jumping-off place* aimed at the Sultan’ s possessions.”

As he said this, his face was all smiles. I n fact, the mask was amazingly alive today and merry all the time. I said: “ O f course there can be no question of that, for I intend t o go to Palestine only with the Sulta n’s cons ent.” H e gave m e an amused look , as i f to say: “ G o tell that t o the Sult an.”

But aloud he said t o me: * I n Engl ish i n the origi nal.

T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1369 “Reassure Lord Lansdowne that you are n o t planning a Jameson raid from E l Arish into Palestine.” “ I shall set his mind a t rest, Mr. Chamberlain! ” I said, also smil-

ing. W e shook hands, and o n parting I told h i m that I was happy t o

have made his acquaintance. %

*

*

A t 1:45 I was at N e w Court w i t h Rothschild and was taken t o the dining room a t once. T h e already familiar table with its al-

ready familiar table m a t e s : Leopold Rothschild, General Ellis, a few minor figures, among them a rather unpleasant former confidential clerk—my Schlesinger in Altneuland. ’ Trivial table talk. Afterwards I called Lord Rothschild o u t from his public office. W e w e n t into the room where we had first m e t . T o his visible astonishment I told h i m that I had seen Chamberlain

yesterday and today. Upon Greenberg's advice I didn’t say any: thing about Lansdowne. After I had told h i m that Chamberlain had received me well, he said that h e w o u l d c a l l o n Chamberlain next week, get his reactions, and then write me. EK

When I told h i m that I planned t o despatch six men t o Cyprus and have them create a popular demand for inviting i n the Jews, he broke into a big grin of approval. \ H e said he liked the Cyprus project better than the E l Arish one. But we must start w i t h the latter, I explaine d t o h i m . He told me that Roosevelt and King Edward were great friends of the Jews and were anxious t o interce de o n their behalf. I said:

D u t that isn’t worth very much. I prefer the radical help of my plan.”

H e further told me that he had recent ly written t o someone i n Paris—I think i t was Paris— about the proble m of the Ruma nian

and Galician Jews, inveighing against the well-to-do Jews of

Austria for their indolence—*‘because they don’t listen to Dr. Herz l, who may be an enthusiast, but who is a great m a n . *” * I n English i n the origi nal.

1370 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

“What?” I said. “Why, you're embarrassing me.” “No, i t is my opinion. You are a great m a n . *” So we parted dans les meilleurs termes [on the best o f terms]. The

Ladies Pauncefote were waiting for him and he had Stante pede [Quickly] I called after him:

to

leave.

“ I f w e get the concession, you must create the five-million.

pound Company for me. Without you i t will be hard i f not impossible.” The expression on his face said: Nous parlerons de ¢ a plus tard [We'll discuss that later]. Previously he had said to me, as to the Sultan:*

“ I didn’t write you about that, because the letters are opened. You were quite right t o decline his offers. A t first he tried t o bribe you, in order t o use you later for getting money from the Jews. Only yesterday I received a letter from him, through a third party, which ran something like this: Dear friend, lend me another 5 million on the cigarette monopoly.—I didn’t bother with i t . ” After t h a t remark of R.’s I dropped the whole question of Turkish finances, because 1 could have n o doubt that nothing would come of it. We parted friends. %

%*

%*

A t 4:30 I was back again in Downing Street, this time in the more elegant rooms of the Foreign Office. T h e amiable First Secretary, Mr. Barrington, w h o m I had al-

ready m e t

at

Francis Montefiore’s table, came i n and offered me

Lansdowne’s excuses for having to keep m e waitinga little, as he

was being detained by a visitor. Around p o'clock I walked a t last into Lansdowne’s private office (an exquisite salon) and was greeted b y h i m charmingly. He 1s a nice English gentleman, most modest in manner and not of

conspicuous intelligence. Barrington had already told me that Chamberlain had been very anxious* t o have me received by Lansdowne. ®

I n English i n the origina l.

T H E COMP LETE DIARI ES O F T H E O D O R HERZ L 1371 So I knew beforehand that i t would be smooth sailing. But this very absence of obstacles, as well as Lansdowne’s gracious way of listening, irritated me. I did n o t feel stimulated and m y English functioned badly. I was at a loss for words, etc., until I finally made

a quick decision and switched t o French, whereupon laffaire marchait sur des roulettes [things rolled along]. That reminded me of how I had once decided that I would speak t o Salisbury in French, because of m y superior command of that language. I n o longer found Salisbury in office, b u t Lansdowne instead. Once more I explained everything, but omitted Cyprus. H e listened most amiably, raised few objections, and finally asked m e t o let h i m have

a written memorandum of the matter—evidently for the Cabinet. H e for his part would write Lord Cromer for his expert opinion. Whereupon I said that I planned to send a representative, Greenberg, t o Cromer, and at once.* He reminded me that Cromer might already have left for the South, but said he was willing t o give Greenberg an introduction t o Lord Cromer. Charming, too, was the way i n which Lord Lansdowne bade m e good-bye. I think this has been a successful day.

October 27, on the Orient Express, beyond Geislingen

I forgot one thing about the Lansdowne interv iew. A t the end I said to h i m : ** “The re is one other point . I have a good personal relat ionsh ip with the Sultan. I wou ld be happ y t o be of service t o you, i n turn . “ I believe that English influence has suffered a bit in the

Orient.”

He lowered his eyes dipl oma tica lly as I said this, but seemed to be delighted and said he wou ld retu rn t o the mat ter some time . ®

I n English i n the orig inal . I n French i n the orig ina l.

*®

1372 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

November 7, Vienna, Friday I a m broken down,* a m out of harness. A t the Annual Conference, and all that went with i t , I wore myself o u t to such a degree that since Sunday I have had all sorts of heart symptoms.

All week I have been dragging myself around, incapable of writing even a few lines. Today, finally, I reported to the N . Fr. Pr. that I a m sick.

I

sent

Greenberg

to

Egypt. I have just received a wire from

this excellent man, dated Cairo, where h e arrived two days ago,

saying that he will leave there tomorrow morning—"everything all right”*—and be back here on Wednesday. Is i t possible that we stand o n the threshold of obtaining a— British—Charter and founding the Jewish State? The exhaustion of my energies makes i t seem credible. *

*

*

I n h i s review o f A l t n e u l a n d , D r . Ganz p u t i t very nicely: “ N o Moses enters the Promised Land.”

Novembe r 1 3 , Edlach.

My heart is working more normally again. Greenberg is back from Cairo, with complete success, t o the extent that this was possible. H e won over t o our cause Lord Cromer, also Boutros Ghali Pasha (the Egyptian “prime min-

ister”*), and the more important English sous-ordres [subordinates] Mr. Boyle, Captain Hunter , etc.

" O f all my collaborators no one has hitherto accomplished anything like what Greenberg has done since the Royal Commission, Rothschild, and Chamberlain. H e truly is my right-hand man now. T h e question is whether ®

I n English in the original.

T H E COM PLET E DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HER ZL 1373 we can exploit our success further within a week, before Chamber-

lain’s departure for South Africa. Otherwise the m a t t e r will fall

asleep again. Together with Greenberg I welded together the draft which I made for Lansdowne and which was revised by Zangwi ll, Nordau , Cowen, and Alex and the one Greenberg wrote on shipboard between Alexand ria and Trieste. Following Greenberg's draft, I am writing t o Chamberla in as

follow s:* T h e R t . H o n . Joseph Chamberlain, M . P., etc. etc.

Dear Sir,

Enclosed I have the honour of forwarding you copy of a letter I am despatching t o Lord Lansdowne i n reference t o the matter upon which you were so good as t o accord me an interview last month. I have asked Mr. Greenberg himself t o hand this letter t o you, as he has been t o Cairo and seen Lord Cromer and others, including Boutros Ghali Pasha, and would be able t o tell you, i n case you care t o know any details. L e t m e again thank you for a l l your kindness i n the matter and wish you a pleasant and successful voyage t o S. Africa. Perhaps, however, you would desire t o see me again before you leave Europe, i n which case, i f you will let Mr. Green-

berg know, I can either come to London o r arrange to meet you

enroute, so as t o place myself a t your disposal. Believe me t o remain Your obedient servant . . .

November 18, V i e n n a

Now I am again hangin g o n the end of a telegraph wire, expectIng news from Greenberg. H e has been i n Lond on since Saturday evening, b u t has so far been unabl e to get to either Cham berlai

Lansdowne. ®

Orig inal text.

n or

1374 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL Today h e wires m e that Chamberlain has given h i m a n appoint. ment* for tomorrow. B u t tomorrow there will also b e a Cabinet

meeting, the last that Chamberlain will attend before his departure. I

am wiring Greenberg immediately t o give m y letter t o Lans.

downe a t once* and not t o Chamberlain first, as w e had agreed

orally a t Edlach. T w o days of this never returning week* have now passed, and I a m very reduced i n m y expectations. T h e earliest I could get to

London now would be Friday evening. This greatly diminishes my chances of completing arrangements prior t o Chamberlain’s departure. &

*

*

‘To be on the safe side I am writing the following letter t o the Sultan i n case I get an Egyptian Charter: * * Sire:

I have the honor t o submit the following advice t o Y.I.M.’s judgment. I have heard i t said that the Imp. govt. is concerned again with the match question. I t seems that certain powers would w a n t t o prevent this monopoly, which would be so useful and so

little trouble. I t is on this point that I should like t o take the liberty of offering my opinion. I t would be easy t o avoid the difficulty. Y.I.M. would only have declare that there is no question of manufacturing matches in Turkey, but only of buying them i n the countries where they now to

come from. Since the difficulties are raised o n l y i n t h e interest of

these firms, i t is clear that the objections w i l l cease. ‘The Imp. govt. reserves only the monopoly of sale. The sale might be administered by the tobacco shops. T h e Imp. govt. would

make contracts with those foreign firms which now supply Turkey, and, b y purchasing i n great quantities, i t would obtain very ad®

I n Englis h i n the origina l.

®¢

In French i n the origina l.

T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1375 vantageous prices. O r else, a n d this would b e preferable, the govt.

would ask for bids o n the delivery of matches to make the most

of the foreign firms’ competiti on. The difference between the cost of purchasing i n volume and the monopoly retail sales will probably produce considerable revenues on which a loan could be floated later as the need arose. Y.I.M. will decide i f this completely disinterested advice is worth anything or not. A t the same time I am taking the liberty of laying a modest gift, my new book, a t the foot of the Imperial throne. I t is an imaginative novel, showing i n a picture of the future the happy effect that Jewish colonization i n Palestine would have. I have had, alas!, t o put m y conception i n the form of a fantasy, not having been able t o obtain Y.I.M.’s consent. I t is elsewhere, o n other territory, that I am now trying t o transform m y schemes into reality. ‘That will n o t prevent me from remaining sincerely grateful and devoted t o the magnanimous Sultan, who is my people’s friend, and from always holding myself a t his disposal, i f m y humble abilities can be useful t o h i m . I have, Sire, the honor to remain Y.I.M.’s humble and obedient

servant Dr. T h . H . Nov. 1 9 ,

1902

November 1 g , Vienna Wire t o Green berg: *

A m well and have decided to go to Odessa (Cairo) i f m y meeting

Haven with Kipper and Company cannot be arranged. I shall then leave Vienna aftermo rrow and think i t indispensable that you Join me. You must leave on Friday night, and we meet on the way. Kindly wire me a t once your resolu tion and today’s results.— — ®

Origi nal text.

1376 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

For when I woke up today I decided n o t

to

give u p the tactical

position even i f Greenberg should not succeed i n getting the English Ministers this week.

Then I shall simply follow or precede Chamberlain t o Egypt and try t o buttonhole h i m there. November 20, Vienna

Satisfying wire from Greenberg. Yesterday he spoke with Chamberlain, and the latter with Lansdowne. M y memorandum was in Lansdowne’s hands by the day before the Cabinet meeting. Chamberlain plans t o speak with Lord Cromer and deal with the matter speedily. Greenberg advises me n o t t o go to Cairo, b u t wait here patiently for Lansdowne’s call to London, to sign a preliminary agreement.

I a m taking his advice. Wire t o Greenberg: * ‘Iremain here following your advice.

But you must see a t once Kipper, give h i m m y thanks and urge matters. Explaining that investigations m u s t be started during winter. I could easily come just now for a few days t o London while i t would be rather difficult for me later on. Wire Gloys answer. B e nja min .

I a m also sending h i m a letter urging h i m to hurry, for the Commission should be sent off i n January at the latest, i f colonization 1s to start i n the autum n.

Nov emb er 2 2 , Vien na

Letter t o Mahmud Nedim (as a check that m y letter gets into the Sultan’s hands): ®

Original text.

T H E COMPL ETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1377

Your Excellency: Permit me t o ask you t o transmit the following communi cation t o H.M. the Sultan by telegram and i n your code language. “ I learn from Dr. Herzl that he has s e n t financial information t o Your Majesty i n the usual way.” Permit me also t o give you m y telephone number, which 1s not in the telephone directory. I t 1s 1 7 147. With kindest regards,

Your Excellency’s obedient servant, Th. H . November go, Vienna Greenberg reports that things are going well. H e has spoken with Mr. Barrington, the First Secretary of the Foreign Office. Today the A.C. m e t a t my place. Kokesch and Kahn mildly laughed a t me when I mentioned the success that a Charter, even only one from Egypt, would mean for us. I reminded Kokesch of a s t a t e m e n t he had made but a few years ago: “No one is going to lend us even ten thousand guilders.” After all, b y today we have a few millions to administer which have a u

fond [actually] been “loaned” t o me, i . e . given a fonds perdu

[outright]. Then I outlined for the gentlemen m y conception of how things would go i f we were t o receive the Egyptian Charter. Above E l Arish, 1 1 4 English miles to the north, there is a bay. There I would construct the first harbor, b u i l d a breakwater into the sea, and then construct a road leading from this harbor t o the

Sinai mountains. I hope t o find the initial economic basis for a great settlement i n the mountains. December 2, Vienna

Yesterday another clash with Bacher, the first in a long time. The little shady politician of the Jewish Community, Dr. Stern,

1378 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL was a t the N.Fr.Pr. There was an irritated discussion of the last Community elections. Bacher, annoyed: “ I d o n ’ t know what they are fighting about.

After all, the Community is only peanuts.” I : “That is only one point i n the general battle. I t is the same as when they fight for a dairy farm in a battle.” Ashamed, he realized that once again he had failed t o understand something. Both of us had raised our voices quite a bat. December g, Vienna

From Katzenelsohn the news that I shall perhaps be received by the Czar. I n that case I shall need the Austrian ambassador at St. Petersburg, and therefore I am reviving my contact with Koerber. ‘To Koerber:

Your Excellency: Kindly accept my new book Altneuland (a political novel, an ideal solution of the Jewish Question) as a token of my sincere respect.

did not bother t o apply for a n audience for t h e purpose of presenting i t t o you, since I know how precious your every minute I

is.

T h e State is, after all, not a novel for you, b u t a reality that 1s

perhaps sometimes lamented. With deep respect, I remain Your Excellency’s ever obedient servant,

Th. Herzl. Dece mber 1 0 , Vienn a

Fostering of the relationship with Eckardstein. Dear Baron Eckar dstein :

T h e friendly hours we chatted away together last summer €n-

courage me

to

offer you my humble but candid advice a t a fate

THE COM PLET E DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HER ZL 1379 ful moment for you. Even though you may not heed it, you will recognize the sincere concern by which itis prompt ed. I t is true that I a m more detached from the things involved, b u t for this very reason I may be seeing them a b i t more clearly. I see by the papers that you are planning t o convene your friends next week for the founding o f a “Kaiser Party.” This party name is the most unfortunate that you could have |

chosen, and i t occurs t o me that one summer night o n your balcony I drew your attention t o the fundamental importance of a party's designation. The public knows only slogans. I t is stupid, b u t that’s the way i t is. You will never get rid of the name under which you make your debut, i n jest and i n earnest.* People are going to beat

away a t the weak spots that you first show for as long as you give any sign of life. But why jeopardize a promising and great thing right from the start? Today you can still rectify i t , otherwise I would not bother you with this letter. B u t first the reasons why your party should n o t have that name. 1) The name is n o t distincti ve. With the exceptio n of the Social Democrats, every party will indign antly deny n o t being a Kaiser Party, insofar as this means adherence t o the monarchic princ iple. 2) If, however, only the present Kaiser is mean t, you will do yourself harm from the outset, with out stren gthe ning him. I think very high ly of your Kaiser whose personal acqu aintance I have had the honor of making. H e is a brill iant personality, perhaps only too rich ly talented and too hum anly imp ulsi ve for the

Place above the clou ds whi ch prov iden ce has assigned to h i m . Y o u know wit h wha t freq uen cy h e mix es i n pub lic l i f e and h o w h e som

etimes goes too far for an emperor. ou you com mit yourself i n advance always t o go along? I f you » you will be regarded as a qua ntité négligeable [neg ligib le dua ntit y] fro m the sta rt. I f no t, b y vir tue o f you r be ing the Ka ise r arty , even you r tac it refu sal wil l h u r t the Kai ser mo re dee ply a n d

be more detrimental t o his autho

of the revolutionaries, LJ

of x c o

rity than the mo st violent attac

ks

1

Jator : ote: h e

well-re ad diarist’ s phrase is Schim pf u n d Ernst t h e title

rt moral

monk Johannes Pau; (1522).

ta

.

®

and anecdotes by the Jewish-born

’

Franciscan

1380 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

3) O n a number of previous occasions the Kaiser has changed his views of things and persons. Surely you are acquainted with the opposition’s compilation of his contradictions. As Heyse puts it,

Wer heute kliuger ist als gestern U n d es m i t offenem M u t bekennt,

Den werden die Biedermanner ldstern Und schelten thn inkonsequent. [Anyone who is wiser today than he was yesterday and frankly admits i t will be maligned by the philistines and chided for being inconsistent.] Bismarck was inconsistent, too. A great personality’s inconsIStency contains its O w n excuse. A party, however, must n o t bear the stamp of inconsistency. Of course, I can conceive o f a personal party, e.g., a Chamberlain

Party or the like, but n o t a Wilhelm Party. Why? Because Wilhelm I I 1s constitutionally n o t responsible, and the very premise of a personal party is the political responsibility of the chief. You could say: I , Eckardstein, am a vassal of the Kaiser, and you could found an Eckardstein Party, but i t seems t o me t o be misguided t o starta party with the Kaiser as patron.

4) You will be accused of sycophancy even i f you agree with the Kaiser o f your o w n free judgment. O n the other hand, the Kaiser won't get much o u t of you, because a t the beginning you will not seem as though you would resist h i m i f need be. O n ne s’appuie que sur ce q u i résiste [ W e can lean only o n what is capable o f resisting].

The reason the landed proprietors are a bulwark of the throne is that they say: “ i f he does what we want.” I could cite additional reasons. But perhaps these will suffice. How, then, can you remedy this? I f you make an authoritative correction of the newspaper report i n the first Frankfurt meeting: “ O u r program is such a n d such. We

favor prudent progress. We are the party of the bourgeoisie, of modern developments, and we believe that these are also the aims o f our emperor. I n this sense a newspaper report was able t o call us

E O D O R HE RZ L 1381 TH E CO MP LET E DIA RIE S O F T H n o t dre am o f drag ging the the Kaiser Part y. Nat ura lly w e wou ld

Kaiser into party fights, etc .” sness, eve n trivi ality , Choose any party name you wish. Colorles does n o t do any har m. Party , You can choose Middle-Class Party, Moderate Progress r New Empire Party, and umpt een other names, but not Kaise Party. I would like “Eckardstein Party ” best. You have the build of a standard bearer. A n d something else

that may also be of value i n the future: You will keep all your peo-

ple under your command. Perhaps we shall m e e t somewhere i n the near future. I t may b e that the performance of my new drama a t the Konigliches Schauspielhaus a t the beginning of next year will give m e a n occasion t o

come t o Berlin. I f you are in Germany a t that time, we could have a chat about all sorts of things, including the organization o f pub-

licity which is of paramount importance for your purposes. I f you wish t o appear as a power in the next elections, you have t o give it some thought now. I know something about these things, but would not care t o go any further with my unsolicited advice than

I have in these lines, whose frankness you, my dear Baron, will surely not take amiss.

Begging you t o place my respects a t the feet of the Baroness, I am, with kindest regards,

Very faithfully yours,

Th. H . Decem ber 22, Vienna

Yesterday I received Lor d Lansdowne’s reply, writ ten by Sir

T . H . Sanderson, an his tori c doc um ent .

pord Cromer reports that the project for the Sinai Peninsula t the actual conditions per mit it. "The Egyptian governme nt would demand only Ottoman Citizenship an wi be teasible—if the Commission finds tha

d a yearlY con trib utio n for the preservatio n of Internally and externally. ’ ord er 1ibuti

1382 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL I shall send a Commission there: Marmorek t h e architect,

Kessler the engineer, Prof. Warburg, one of the Palestinian agricul. tural experts, and the geometrician Jennings-Bramly of the Sudan

whom Cromer has recommended. I shall charge the Sultan dearly for accepting Ottoman citizenship (under an English guarantee). I shall demand i n return a piece of Palestine. I shall promise the Egyptian government payment of the yearly tribute a n d keep the promise, provided that the governor of the

Egyptian province of Judea is elected b y the colonists for ten or seven years and only confirmed b y the Khedive—or nominated by the English government and appointed b y the Khedive. The protective troops can be commanded by Anglo-Egyptian officers; the personnel will be ours. O n the basis of these accomplishments Lord Rothschild will have t o get m e the I . C . A . money—at least t w o o r three million

pounds for the Jewish Eastern Company. T h e rest through public subscription. Decembe r 22, Vienna Letter t o Lansdowne : * ‘The R t . H o n . t h e Marquess o f Lansdowne K . G . etc., Secretary

of State for Foreign Affairs t o H i s Britannic Majesty. M y Lord,

Allow me t o thank your Lordship for the communication you sent me through Sir Thomas H . Sanderson. As some of the points referred t o require a personal explanation, I hope t o be able t o call on your Lordship i n London shortly after N e w Year and answer

principally the

objections concerning the

“colon ial rights .” Believe me t o be, M y Lord, Your Lordship’s most obedient humble servant Th.H . ®

Original text.

ZL 1383 F THEODOR HER O S IE R IA D E ET TH E CO M PL K . C. M . G , y Sanderson G . GC. B. , nr He as om Th r Si o t Di tto Af fa irs .” tary of State fo r Fo re ig n cre Se r de Un t en an rm Pe

Sir,

Lansco mm un ica tio n fro m Lo rd Allow me t o thank yo u for the me. downe which you kin dly se nt n to req uir e an ora l ex pla na tio As some of the points ref err ed ial po rta nt question of the co lon _among others the hig hly im on cal l o n H i s Lo rds hip i n Lo nd rights—I have the ‘nt en tio n to shortly after New Year. |

Bel ieve m e t o be, Sir , t You r mos t obe die nt hum ble ser van

T .H . *

*

LJ

What impresses me most is the coolness and calmness

with whic h

the Foreign Office continues t o pursue the Sinai matt er amidst

the

Venezuelan entanglement. This coolness and calmness must be learned. I t is the key t o greatness. Decem ber 26

Upon Greenberg's advice, changed the letters t o Lansdowne and Sanderson. T o Lansdowne I wrote the following, apart from the introductory and complimentary claptrap:*

I have wired Mr. Greenberg t o call a t the Foreign Office and tender t o your Lordship, through M r . Barrington, m y warmest acknowledgement of your kindness i n the matter. I shall take an early opportunity of laying your despatch before colleagues, and after consultation with them I shall reply i n my doit :

I informe d Sanders on that I would come t o London soon. ®

Original text.

:

1384 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL Dece mber 30, Vienna

Between last night and this morning the following occurred to me: Perhaps we could irrigate the desert land by means of the Nile! A simple pipeline probably impossible, t o be sure, on account of the Suez canal; the w a t e r would have t o be pumped over at ship’s height (1?) or pumped through a t a great depth. The latter would seem much easier t o me. Such an aqueduct could cost millions and that still would not be too high a price for it. O r the mud (like dredging mud) could be loaded on boats, and then n o t dumped i n the sea, b u t taken t o E l Arish. Also, perhaps filter ships could be built, have the mud settle in the holds, a n d then wash i t ashore a t E l Arish.

There might be many ways of execution. I am turning over this

and the phosphate matter

to

Marmorek and Warburg (who has

accepted the mission) as a secret assignment on this trip.

December g1, Vienna This evening, after I had once again cleared the feuilleton files at the N. Fr. Pr. preparatory to m y departure, I had a severe défail-

lance [fit of depression] which still continues. I was away so often and for so long. I f I leave again now. . . Things are bound to come to a head some day. T h e n I shall either have the worry of making a living, o r b e the holder o f a stipend from the moveme nt! W h a t terrible small difficulties are paralyzing m e i n t h e face of

the big ones. A n d yet: n o w that things are crackling east a n d west of the Mediterranean, now that the Macedonian question will probably be opened u p i n the Spring, the partition of Morocco may be 1mminent, and the Italian annexation of Tripoli is definitely 1n the offing, i t is of the greatest importance that I speak w i t h Lansdowne. W i t h Roths child as well.

HER ZL 1385 THE COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O R use I I have a harder and harder time leaving, presumably beca

t my am gettin g older , more timor ous, and more worri ed abou

livelihood.

This time my good, wise mother, too, alarmed me by saying that

I shouldn't gamble with my livelih ood. What todo? First, sleep on i t once more. January 1 1 , o n the train, outside Calais

In Paris, where I had asked Greenberg t o m e e t me, the reply to Lansdowne was discussed. M y plans, which had been approved by the Vienna A . C , also met with the approval o f Nordau, Alex,

and Greenberg. Then Nordau drafted the reply, whereupon Greenberg corrected its English.

Greenberg took the letter

to

London. I

wrote

Lord Rothschild

that I was coming to London, and asked h i m for a n appointment.

January 1 5 , London

So far nothin g of consequence. The familiar Bank and East End hubb ub.

Rothschild was very nice. He replied t o my letter that he would

come t o see me, and then he came t o m y hote l. Two years ago he didn ’t even want t o mee t me a t Lady Batte rsea’s. I n three-quarters of an hou r I explained ever ythin g t o him , gave |

him my correspondence with the government t o liev e, imp res sed h i m .

read, which I be-

I told h i m wha t I wan ted from h i m : to get m e thre e mil lion

pounds from the L.C.A. for the Jewish Eastern Company. We would the ¢

n rais e the rem ain ing t w o mil lion b y sub scr ipti on promised me t o ask Claude Mo nte fior e to com

although he doesn't like h i m .

This is supposed t o be done

lunch and he wi ll give me a re

t omorrow. Th en I

ply.

¢

hi

© an d see h i m ,

tome

to

1386 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL H e told m e that great conflicts were n o w going o n i n the I . CA.

They had spent £goo0,000 annually, and the English members were insisting that there be less waste and better accounts be ren. dered. Then both factions had turned to h i m for advice. “ M a k e use of this situation i n our behalf, Lord Rothschild!” | said to h i m .

H e is a fine old man and I am really fond of him. *

*

*

I asked Gaster t o see me a t my hotel so as t o let Claude Monte. fiore know even before he goes t o see Rothschild what trouble is in store for the I.C.A. i f i t does n o t cooperate w i t h us. *

*

*

O n top of this, wrote a feuilleton for the N . Fr. Pr., “An Evening i n Paris.” I can’t get rid of the misery of this dependence. *

*

*

Yesterday a letter from Barrington, Lansdowne’s secretary: Lansdowne regrets being unable t o receive m e this week.

Unpleasant, but can’t be helped. %*

*

%*

Gaster has begged off. A t the same time Colonel Goldsmid came. I immediately used h i m for the errand to see Claude Montefiore.

I promised Goldsmid the command over the military force* at El Arish. Il est a m o n dévouement [ H e w i l l d o anything I want].

January 1 7 , London

Yesterday was a good day. A t noon with Rothschild. H e told me that Claude Montefiore was n o t in London (which I already knew from Col. Goldsmid, who had gone t o Southampton for me t o see Claude), but had ®

I n Englis h i n the origina l.

HE RZ L 1387 IE S O F T H E O D O R AR DI E ET PL M CO E TH ng 1mMo nd ay if i t was somethi on re he be uld wo he t wired tha rd Ro ths ch ild !” portant. “T ele gra ph him , Lo of the o se nt for He rb er t Lousada He did so immediately and als acquainted. 1.C.A. wi th whom he was no t k. the Fo rei gn Office at 3 o'c loc Then 1 said: “ I have t o go t o .A. people do n't cooperate?” What are we going t o do i f the 1.C on. Bu t

ke the subscripti

Lord Rothschild: “Th en we shall ma

I don't see how they cou ld refuse.” ” I further asked: “Sh all I take in Cassel? Bu t he always like s not? Lord Rothschild: “ I f he’s will ing , why to be at the hea d.”

I : “No , you should head the fina ncia l par t!”

Dr. Herzl. Lord Rothschild: “No , no, you will be a t the head,

I only want

to

be your co-worker. I am glad if I can be of help t o

you.”

Voila [There we are]! So we have achieved that much , unless he

like backs o u t again. P u t not your trust i n prince s (of financ e, too),

a cradle they will rock.* nt, robust intellig ent, Then we had lunch. His son Charles, a nice, intellige youngman, was also au fait [in on it], as was Leopold R . T h e house of R . seems to have made the matter its own. *

%*

*

Afterwards went with Greenberg t o see Sir Thomas Sanderson, Permanent Undersecretary for Foreign Affairs, i n Downing Street. A lean, sharp, intelligent, suspicious old m a n w h o reminds m e o f

Freycinet. We spoke about this and that, n o t much that was new. But when I mentioned the colonial rights which were t o be estabshed for the settlement, h e got frightened. W e must not think o f onythin rem g 6 intern Int ationa nal—at l the most, a Charter from the Egyptian

—

a n d Sirange thing 1s that while the whole world believes i n Engcon] o Crnation to hold o n to Egypt c o t e que coute [at any »

JIT 1 homas gave me

the feeling that they don’t consider

* Translator’s Note: See Note o n p- 886.

1388 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ], themselves so firmly i n the saddle and regard the situation as pro-

visional. I gave him the itinerary of the Commission and its membership, I said we still needed an irrigation engineer. Sir Thomas recom. mended that we contact Sir Benjamin Baker, the builder of the

Firth of Forth bridge and the Aswan Dam. H e didn’t w a n t t o go into the details of the Charter. We would have t o arrange that with Lord Cromer. T h e English government would go as far as Cromer did, and n o farther than that. Sir Thomas evidently was afraid that I might inveigle him too far into an adventure. I n this referral from one t o the other obviously lies a weakness of the English administration. They are too precise in their jurisdic tions. Politics cannot be carried o n without exceeding authority, and one person must bear all the responsibility. *

*

¥*

After leaving S i r Thomas I drove i n company with Greenberg to

the great engineer Baker. H e looks like a shoemaker, but his square face hacked o u t with a hatchet, his bushy commanding glance, his thick drooping moustache which conceals the movements of the mouth, the powerful jaw—all this revealed a man t o me. H e recommended t o us Engineer Stephens, who is on his way back from Egypt right now. Sir Benjamin was curious as to what we actually wanted; he also asked little leading questions, b u t did not really take it amiss

when we gave n o answers t o them. *

to

¥*

%*

I n the evening Col. Goldsmid, who had returned from his trip Southampton t o see Claude, called me o n the telephone. The

result of his trip has been satisfactory. Further details i n person

today. %

*

%

Then I made an agreement with Engineer Kessler t o be the leader of the expedition. Kessler has the knowledge and the calm

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1389 that the task requires. Oskar Marmorek i s a n artistic temperament

and i n just a few days caused mischief back i n Berlin by his rashness and gabbiness.

|

The expedition will set o u t from Trieste o n the 29th inst. I am going to work o u t a l l the details, the whole provisioning, etc., with Cook.

I am now studying the maps of the country. This 1s a great ending for Book Thirteen. ¥*

LJ

%*

Later.

Colonel Goldsmid was here. H e wants t o be i n on the expedition. I accepted him. H e will get £100 for the trip, plus expenses. He intends t o win the Lord Mayo r and the King for us.

Book Fourteen Begun i n London, January 18, 1903

January 18, London I t is a Sunday with heavy fog, the atmosphere almost impenetrable. I am sitting i n front of the fire-place i n m y little hotel room. I will write a feutlleton for the N . Fr. Pr. and tide myself over the idle Sunday. When Colonel Goldsmid offered t o go along o n the trip, he made a remark about money arrangements* which he would have t o make in advance. “Do speak with me as with your friend,”* 1 encouraged him. Whereupon he said reluctantly that i t would be about £100 in addition t o expenses. Agreed. “You w i l l have on Monday a check of roo pounds”* 1 told him. ‘Then he left t o have luncheon with the Lord Mayor. As for me, I'shall be c o n t e n t i f he introduces me t o the King. Whatever other service he performs for the expedition does n o t matter t o me. *

¥*

*

A wire from Oskar that Franz Oppenheimer, who had already sent in his refusal, may go along after all. From Alex a wire that Laurent-Brussel s has accepted, b u t not yet said what fee h e asks.

Tomorrow afternoon I expect Engineer Stephens whom Sir Benjamin Baker recommended t o me. I f he accepts, the expedition will consist of the following:

Kessler, leader of the expeditio n; Oskar Marmorek , architect and secretary;

Colonel Goldsmid; Franz Oppenheimer; Lau ren t;

Jennings Bram ly; Stephens. * I n Englis h i n the origin al.

1393

1394 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL I also w a n t Greenberg t o go t o Egypt a t the same time as the Commission. H e is t o introduce them t o Lord Cromer, Boyle, Hunter, and others. I f he can’t, this task will devolve upon Col. Goldsmid whom I also want t o win over the Egyptian Jews, Suarez, etc. *

*

¥%

Today I gave instructions t o Kessler. H e m u s t bring me a report about the feasibility of settling the land, so that I may get the Charter and the money. I also confided t o him my desire t o have Cyprus and Haifa with its hinterland, and my intention t o start the colonization on the best soil. *

%

%

I gave Greenberg instructions for the Charter, which is t o be concise and flexible. H e is t o take what he can get from the Egyptian government, but should ask for as much as possible, because the quality of the concession w i l l determine the size of the investments and the possibilities for prospering.

January 1 9 , London I am continuing t o organize the expedition . ‘This morning Kessler, Col. Goldsmid, and a representative of Cook’s came t o see me. I made a l l the arrangements as far as Ismailia. From there on Kessler w i l l take over. I gave them only the main outlines. The expedition is t o proceed from Ismailia (not Port Said) on the caravan road to the Lake of Sirbonia, toward the eastern end on

the land side, and there have its first headquarters. Col. Goldsmid will bring good maps from the War Office, and 1s going t o be very valuable i n general. *

%

*

F T H E O D O R HE RZ L 1395 T H E CO MP LE TE DIA RIE S O m e tha t Cla ude Mo nte A t noo n I was at Rot hsc hild ’s. H e told

lie, of course. Claude fiore had begged off for reasons of health. A doesn’t w a n t t o expose him self .

m. B u t Lousada was com ing— spec ifica lly, at 3 p. t the Time s, We had lunc h. Lord Roth schi ld told tales abou

tion abou t Sir which had once concealed the source of its info rma Robert Peel for 55 years, and things like that. After lunch I said that I would come back a t 3 (so that I would n't have t o hang aroun d i n Rothschild’s ofhice). I returned 1 0 minutes late on purpose. Lord R . was already deep i n a n explana tion o f the matter.

Next t o h i m there sat, shy and respectful, a skinny grouch, Mr. Herbert Lousada. An unfolded map of Egypt was lying there; brother Leopold and the Lord's t w o sons were respectfully listening to the action o f state.

Lord R. behaved splendidly. H e defended my plan as i f i t were his own. “Dr. Herzl and I agree in t h a t ,*” e t c . The tricky yellow journalist Lousada attempted the difficult feat of smiling amiably o n the half o f his face that was turned t o

Lord R., and wearing a hard, forbidding expression o n the half that was turned toward me. The result was comical and disgusting. When he (Lousada) replied t o Lord R.’s invitation t o think the matter over, “ I shall be happy to t h i n k over anything you m a y

desire,” Lord R. came back a t h i m as follows: a. Portuguese Jews always answer you with polite phrases. n't want phrases; I want the substanc e.” |

(He had never m e t Mr. Lousada before. Voila la puissance de

largent [There's the power of money]).

e told Mr. beHtremied oo : L.- to be a r " mind that D r . Herzl’s plan couldn’t and the C o l o r s y. e Secretaries of State for Foreign Affairs ]

l e s had been persuaded.

bing. oe e h i n e the Egyptian governments were patrons o f the »

€tC.

Dr.

Herzl was asking for five millio n pounds, and the

* I n English i n the orig ina

l.

1396 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL I.C.A. should supply three of these, whereupon the remainder

could easily be raised by subscription. Then I let loose:

“Get your colleagues together and put i t before them. Do it we shall. The only question is whether with you or without you.”

The greyhound was in a real squeeze, and I think he was glad when Lord Rothschild ended the session. H e said good-bye contritely, I , nonchalantly. “Lord Rothschild, I should like t o have you as a lawyer!” I said

and left. Lousada was waiting for me i n the hall. I walked with him for a few blocks and continued t o hammer at him. H e should notify Claude and Alfred Cohen, but no one else. I t was an English affair, and I wouldn't w a n t t o alarm the patriotism of the French members of the 1.C.A. H e promised me this. I also said that we would bury the hatchet and work together

in the future. H e thought that i n principle the question need n o t be investigated; only when we had the concession and the report. With this I agreed and promised t o let h i m know as soon as I had the concession, so that he could convene the 1.C.A. %*

%*

%*

When I got back to the hotel, I found Stephens the engineer, w h o had been recommended b y Sir Benjamin Baker, already wait-

ing for me. I n five minutes we had reached a n agreement. H e will get £40 a week. H e is a colorless Englishman i n his fifties, w i t h a stutter,

quiet and amiable. Col. Goldsmid also came again. I introduced the gentlemen t0 each other. Then a wire from Alex. Laurent has definitely accepted.

‘The Commission is complete.

T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1397 January 2 1 , London Worked yesterday until afternoon with the general staff of m y Commission. Because of his composure I like Kessler very well as the leader. Colonel Goldsmid is already making himself useful by procuring general-staff and admiralty maps. G. H . Stephens, the irrigation engineer,* seems t o b e a solid

Englishman, with the cool enthusiasm of a real engineer. The harbor i n Lake Sirbonia was the first thing we discussed. He would like t o extend the fresh-water canal that runs from the Nile t o the Suez Canal. This canal was built for the canal workers i n the time of Lesseps. (As a 10-year-old boy I talked about making a Lesseps-like project, cutting the Panama canal!) *

¥*

¥*

Goldsmid has received £100. Stephens gets £40 a week, Laurent 5 0 0 francs a week. Greenberg asked for “ n o payment, ” b u t a £500 loan for his firm without a repayment limit. I granted everythi ng. Greenberg is the most expensive man, b u t also the most importa nt one, for he is t o secure the Charte r. So far he has done very excellent work and is worth any amou nt of money. ¥*

*

*

From afternoon t o midn ight I work ed on a feuill eton for the N.F r. Pr. Covering lette r t o Male dikt: ** De ar Fri end :

Please find enclosed a feui lleto n.

Orig inal ly I plan ned t o go from here to the Riv iera , because I still don’t feel well. But something has com e u p here whi ch I mu st * I n English i n the original. *®

Translator's Note: He

rzl's sardonic pun on the name of his s he had come to regard as mor e male ficent than beneficent. iper ior, who m :

i

i

1398 T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL take care of i n Vienna. Therefor e I shall b e i n Vienna next Tues.

day. I t is possible that w i t h i n the next few months I shall have to ask

you t o accept my resignation from the staff of the N . Fr. Pr. Until then I shall naturally be a t your disposal as always when I am in Vienna, and send you a feuilleton a week when I am traveling, I shall notify you in time i f the indicated eventuality should arise, so that you can arrange for a replacement, which will n o t be hard t o find. With my best regards t o yourself and Dr. Bacher,

Yours sincerely, Herzl. January 26, o n the train, between Munich and Salzburg

From London I sent Chamberla in the letter which is pasted in here: * Dear Sir,

During my absence from Vienna, I find t o m y great annoyance and regret, that a n article has appeared i n the N e u e Freie Presse,

with which as you know I am connected, violently attacking you. I cannot tell you how sorry I am that this should have found its way i n t o my paper. So strongly do I feel, however, about this, and so deeply grate: ful am I for all you have done for our people recently, in con: nection with the proposed settlement i n the Sinai Peninsula, which I hope soon to see a n accomplished fact, that I feel bound i n honour

leave my position on the Neue Freie Presse i n your hands; and i f you think that I ought t o sever m y connection w i t h the paper a5 to

a demonstration of m y personal loyalty t o and regard for yourself, I a m quite prepared to d o so. I should have done so w i t h o u t putting the matter t o you, were i t n o t that I should thereby be withdrawing a strong pro-English element from the personnel o f the Journal ®

Original text.

L 1399 S OF T H E O D O R HE RZ T H E CO MP LE TE DI AR IE u desire yo ur hands, an d wi ll do as yo Still, as I say, I leave myself i n s. I should under the circumstance InCo

We are hoping t o send o u t

the preliminary Commission of

a few days, and I need scarcely vestigation t o the Sinai Peninsula i n are wit h you for the aid say our deepest feelings of thankfulness scheme. you have rend ered us i n respect to the

essful jour ney , Hoping you are having a pleasant and succ Believe me t o rem ain Sincerely yours,

Rt. Hon.: Joseph Chamberlain M.P. Address: Vienn a-Wih ring, Haizingergasse 29. From Paris—after my arrival I sat down i n the cafeteria withou t

washing up—I wrote the letter

to

Lansdowne which 1s pasted in

here and is dated January 22:* M y Lord,

I regret you were unable t o see me when I was i n London. I however had the pleasure of seeing Sir Thos. Sanderson, and he doubtless will have informed you that the Commission of InvesBgacion in the Sinai Peninsula will start from Ismailia about 4th eb. Mr. Greenberg who previously saw Lord Cromer and others i n Cairo, will proceed there shortly i n order t o confer o n m y behalf with the authorities as t o the Charter t o be obtained from the Egyptian Govt. Mr. Greenberg will have full powers t o act for me and for the Executive Com. of the Zionist moveme nt, and I shall feel favoure d

if your Lordship will be so good as t o intima te this t o Lord Cromer.

I beg sincerely t o thank Your Lords hip for your kind assistance i n the matte r, and to assure you that we shall d o every to mak e the sche me a success. I a m

thing possi ble

You r Lordship’s obedient servant. ®

Ori gin al text.

1400 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL I n Paris I received a coded telegram from Greenberg saying that there had been a n answer to this letter from Sanderson and that |

would find i t in Vienna. Since Greenberg informs me a t the same time that the Commission is leaving o n Tuesday, I assume that

nothing unfavorable has happened. %*

%*

*

I n Paris I had a wire from Kessler saying that Stephens had come down with bronchitis. I n consequence Kessler asked for assignment of a physician, Dr. Joffe of Jaffa. I wired Joffe and instructed Kessler t o leave on Tuesday with or without Stephens. I f necessary, Stephens might follow t w o or three days later with Greenberg, via Marseilles. *

*

*

I have arranged the itinerary of the expedition i n the following manner.

Kessler, Oskar, Goldsmid, Laurent (whom I

met

i n Paris at the

ailing Alex’s and won over) and possibly Stephens arrive a t Alexandria on Monday, February 2 , where they are joined by Jennings Bramly, from whom, t o be sure, I still have had n o word so far, and by Joffe, if he goes along. O n Tuesday, February 3, Colonel Goldsmid will go t o Ismailia as quartermaster, along with Laurent, Stephens, and Joffe, in order t o inspect the camels, provision s, etc. Meanwhile Kessler and Bramly go t o Cairo, i f there is anything

to take care of there. Oskar is to go along to Cairo, too, i n order to take a look at the neo-Egyptian architectural style whose airy Gothic arches are t0 stimulate him. Wednesday, February 4, Kessler and Bramly meet with Green berg at Port Said. Greenberg makes Bramly’s acquaintance o n the trip t o Ismailia O n Thursday, February 5, the expedition starts o u t on the

T H E COMP LETE DIARI ES O F T H E O D O R HERZ L 1401 caravan road, either from Ismailia o r from El-Kant ara, toward

Lake Sirbonia whose surroundings are t o be explored first, t o find o u t whether the lake, through dredging its deep spots and draining its shallow ones, may be used for a harbor and a city site. Greenberg goes t o Cairo t o negotiate for the Charter. The expedition w i l l send all reports t o Greenberg who will forward them t o me by telegram or by letter. Stephens’ job is t o investigate the harbor, the canalization from the Nile, the drilling of wells, dams—in short, all water problems. Laurent’s concern is all problems of plantation. I spoke with him i n the presence of Nordau and Alex. I told h i m that we plan t o start with a company with a capital of five million pounds and will later have the proportionate a m o u n t of money that corresponds t o the capitalized tax power of the settlers. Therefore h e should base his calculation of the feasibility of settlement not only o n the factor of the natural resources available, b u t also o n the

other t w o factors, money and working power. When we begin, we shall have the necessary financial backing, and the inexhaustible reservoir of Eastern Europe will supply us most cheaply w i t h desperate masses o f workers, w h o are therefore

of the best quality. H e is t o report t o me whether, taking these

factors into

account,

colonization is possible, and what kinds of

culture there can be. Goldsmid’s function is more decorative, but he will be useful for dealing with English authorit ies and, i f need be, supplyi ng military protect ion. As a quarter master, too. H e is i n comma nd o f the movements which are decide d upon i n the expedi tion counci l

under Kessler’s chairmanship, with Kessler casting the decidi ng vote i n case of a tie. Oskar Marmorek is general secretary, i n addit ion t o his specialty, |

questions of housi ng and settle ment, const ructio n o f roads , city plan ning , etc.

1.6,

Dr. Joffe (if he goes along) is t o study problems of climate and

hygiene and make a repo rt on this.

Bram ly: gene ral expl orat ion o f the coun try.

1402 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

Kessler is chief, treasurer, and geological specialist. I have asked Warburg to wire Blanckenhorn for a brief statement (which we

shall pay for) pointing o u t usable camping sites. I hope t o find this statement waiting for me i n Vienna and t o give i t t o Kessler. Three sets* of maps are being prepared, one of which will stay with the expedition, one with Greenberg a t Cairo, and the third with me. I was going t o suggest dividing the map i n t o squares, so that the reports would only have t o refer t o the square where the expedition

happened t o be. But Col. Goldsmid has worked

out

something

similar and even more ingenious for the English army: squared tracing paper which only needs t o be mounted o n the map. The squares are marked by letters. So we shall use that. I think I have forgotten nothing, neither the code books nor life insurance for the travelers nor the phonographs which they are to use 1n their t e n t for the amusement of the bedouins in the desert. I plan to b u y presents for the bedouins i n Vienna tomorrow. %

*

%*

Authorizat ion for Kessler:

M y Dear Colleague:

As Chairman of the Actions Committee of the Zionist Movement and i n the name and o n behalf o f the I n n e r A . C . i n Vienna

I hereby appoint you as leader of the expedition commissioned by us for the exploration of the feasability of settling the northern half of the Sinai Penins ula. You will be kind enough to follow the instructions given you, to the extent that conditions which cannot b e foreseen i n detail permi t.

I t will be your assignment t o investigate and determine, with the help of the gentlemen of the expedition, the opportuniti es and

possibilities for rural as well as urban coloniza tion of the territory ®

I n Englis h i n the original.

T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1403 located on the Mediterran ean between the Suez Canal and the Turkish border, as well as of its hinterland. T h e route to b e taken is, to begin with, from the p o i n t o f departure, Ismailia o r E l Kantara, t o the Lake o f Sirbonia.

I n the daily deliberations of the expedition you w i l l determine the further course whose approximate destination should be the petroleum depots near Suez (you are n o t bound t o this destination). You will preside a t these meetings, cast your ballot last, and have the decisive vote i n case o f a tie.

The minutes of the council will be taken by Dr. Joffe. I n addition t o the record of decisions, a record of reports is t o be kept i n which the results of the day are to b e entered each

evening. However, i t is very desirable that besides this each member of the expedition keep a diary (to be purchased i n Alexandria, together with fountain pens) and enclose concise extracts from i t with the mail which should go off t o me as frequently as possible. I m u s t receive the informational reports (carbon copies) in extenso [ i n full] w i t h each mailing.

The gentlemen who have n o t yet given me a pledge, i n London or Paris, n o t t o publish anything about the expedition without m y prior consent, either i n writings o f t h e i r o w n o r i n interviews,

are requested t o put this pledge i n writing before their departure —preferably i n a j o i n t statement signed b y all.

(Text: The undersigned, members of the expedition ordered and equipped by the leadership of the Zionist Movement t o explore the feasibility of settling the Sinai Peninsula, hereby pledge their word of honor n o t t o publish anything about this expedition either i n writings of their own or i n speeches or interviews, unless they receive the consent of the chairman of the A.C. beforehand.)

Mail is t o be s e n t

to

Mr. Greenberg in Cairo who will forward

i t to me. Use every possible opportun ity to send us news—pr efer-

ably daily. D o n o t spare any reasonable expense i n this. D o n o t hesitate t o telegraph i f need be. And now, Godspeed!

1404 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

As great collaborators, show yourself equal that we are placing i n your hands. With Zion's greetings,

to

the historic task

Sincerely and respectfully yours, Dr. Th. H . *

*

¥*

Hints for Greenberg, Kessler. I f Stephens unable to go along, a n expert must be acquired in

Egypt. South as far as the Gulf of Aqaba. Laurent rock-salt fertilization.

January 29, Vienna

O n the train going t o St. P6lten yesterday, worked out with Kremenezky, Kokesch, and Kahn the draft of the Charter for Greenberg.

Kokesch and I then copied it, in the coffee-house and finally at the station.

The Ostend Express came in; Kessler, Goldsmid, Stephens, Laurent were on it. We w e n t on t o Vienna with them; I discussed a few more details with Kessler. Then we gave them a vin d’honneur [stirrup cup] at the Siidbahn [Southern Railroad] station. Oskar arrived. A t 7 o'cloc k they left, bound for Triest e. %*

%*

%*

I a m n o w trying to get Trieste o n the telephone, because I want to instruct Kessler not to lose a day i n Cairo, contrary to his under-

standing with Greenberg.

H E O D O R HE RZ L 1405 T H E CO MP LE TE DIA RIE S O F T January 29, Vie nna Telegram t o Greenberg: *

forty pounds, Rabbis (Commission) left. Every day costs abo ut simp ly lost. and by your new arrangements a t least three days are t o MarI think therefore bette r that Rabb is go Mond ay a t once seilles. Hum p (Kessler) with Pater (Goldsmid) will see Copy (Boyle) and prepare meeting Bauer for their return . Tuesday night they leave for Wilna and meet you.

Benjamin. January 2 9 , Vienna Telegram t o Kessler, Brindisi.

Please all go Cairo Monday, even without Greenberg. Kessler and Goldsmid call on Boyle, ask h i m whether introduction desirable now or on way back. Latter would be preferable. I n any case, please arrive Ismailia Tuesday evening, a t latest Wednesday morning, await Greenberg Wednesday, Thursday start o u t without fail, with or without Bramly.

Benjamin. January 30, Vienna Yesterday Greenberg requested me, for reasons he could not

race I n a telegram, t o withdraw the instructions I had given KessrT.

Telegram t o Greenberg: *

Although I don’ t like confusions by with draw ing instr uctio ns I shall withdraw them if your lette r contains suffi cient reasons. You can post i t o n you r way . I can get i t Sun day i n time t o wire ®

Original text.

1406 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL H u m p to Avignon. I hope you leave tonight. D o n ’ t forget ad.

vise Woolf

to

send letters during absence t o Joe.

Benjamin. Telegram t o Dr. Joffe: *

Start immediately. Our friends won't wait. They will leave Is. mailia next Wednesday. Meeting place Cook Agency, Chief Kessler. Wire m e your arrival and address a t Port Said or El-Arish. I prefer Port Said, i f quarantine lifted.

Herzlingen.

January 31, Vienna

Wire to Joffe w h o sent a confused telegram:

Partez vous immédiatement? O u i o u non [Are you leaving immediately? Yes or No]. #*

*

%*

Greenberg has asked for withdrawal of m y instructions to Kessler and re-establishment of the London arrangement, because

the Egyptian government is sending along someone other than Bramly.

Febr uary 1 , Vienna Telegra m t o Kessler (Cook, Alexand ria):

Nasardant (most important news*) disregard Brindisi wire. Greenberg's Lond on arrangement valid.

Benjamin. * I n French i n the origin al. *¢ I n Engli sh i n the origin al.

T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1407 February 2 , Vienna Telegram t o Kessler: Joffe arriving Tuesday El-Arish, expects wired instructions for

meeting.

F r o m Kessler: *

Cookscamp has been put into quarantine for five days. Cannot start until eighth. Under the mentioned circumstances I (we) will proceed Cairo unofficially. Joffe may proceed Ismailia if i t is n o t possible m u s t remain until further orders El-Arish.

February g, Vienna Telegram t o Joffe, El-Arish: ** Friends detained b y quarantine , w i l l leave Ismailia Sunday. Await Kessler’s instructio ns El-Arish. ¥*

¥*

%

February g T o Kessle r, C a i r o : *

I'mpugnais (wire instruc tions direct to) Jofte El-Ari sh.

February g

This evening Greenberg arrives a t Port Said. H e w r o t e and wired en route that Lansdowne and Sanderson have been i n fre-

quen t touch with Crom er durin g the last few days, i n orde r to get our expe ditio n a subs titute for Bram ly, w h o can’ t get away

before the end of February. The English and Egyptian govern® *¢

Orig inal text . I n French i n the origi nal.

1408 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL ments would n o t w a n t t o accept the responsibility for the ex. pedition i f this replacement for Bramly did n o t go along. Welcome. For i f we accept the man, they thereby take a respon. sibility implicite [implicitly]. *

¥*

*

Authorization for Greenberg, dated February g : *

Dear Mr. Greenberg,

I n the event of any question arising, I am writing this t o say that i t is quite understood that in the matter of the negociations and everything concerning the proposed settlement i n the Sinai Peninsula you have the fullest powers t o a c t o n m y behalf personally as well as on behalf of the Executive Committee of the Zionist Movement of which I am Chairman. You are a t liberty t o hold this letter and to show i t to anyone w h o m i t m a y concern, and I am prepared both in my individual capacity or as Chairman of the Executive Committee t o replace i t a t any time that i t may be necessary by a proper legal document.

Signed

Th. H . Febru ary Greenberg reports from Cairo that he will be received by Lord Cromer this morning and the Commission this afternoon. Satis: factory. O n Saturday (February 4) the Commission leaves Cairo, o n Monday, Ismailia.

Febr uary 6, Vienna Telegram t o Greenberg: * Chaulmage (have you commu nicate d with) Jofte.

* Original text.

HER ZL 1409 T H E COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O R Feb rua ryg Greenberg reports that the expe dition left Cairo for Isma ilia

this morning. Today he will see Boyle (Cromer’s chief official) and tomorrow, perhaps, Cromer and Boutros. Februaryg

Today a little incident a t the N . Fr. Pr. Benedikt came into my room when Bacher happened t o be with me. H e asked m e to wire Heyse and ask h i m i f h e cared to reply t o Minister Hammerstein's speech. I looked like someone who hadn't read Hammerstein's speech in yesterday's paper. When he asked me, I admitted i t . T o this the ungracious lord said: “Well, i f you don’t read even that any more, you are a half-lost person!” From his point of view, sure. I am a collector of old newspapers only in part any more. I dropped the matter. I hope with time will come counsel. %*

%*

%*

But the whole shameful irony of m y situation lies i n the fact that I have t o let this finance journali st treat me en bagatelle [like dirt] . God improve it!

Let ter :

Febr uary i o Con fide ntia*l

Dear Lo rd Rothschild: > now the seven gentlemen of our exp edi tion are underway n the Sinai Peninsula t o explore the area for settlement. Fo r this cxpedition I have selected first-ra te an d hig hly rep ute d experts * I n English in the origin al.

i

1410 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7] from England, the Transvaal, B e l g i u m , Austria, Egypt, and Pales.

tine. A t the same time I have instructed our authorized agent to go t o Cairo t o conclude negotiations for the Charter. I hope the expedition will r e t u r n i n just a few weeks safe and sound, and soon thereafter I hope t o be i n possession of the Charter, However, I must prepare the further steps right away. Your saying, Lord Rothschild, that you wish t o help me has pleased me greatly, and I am grateful t o you with all my heart for the aid you have already given me. W e shall see what effect your intervention with Mr. Claude Montefiore and Mr. Lousada has had. As soon as I have the desired news from Cairo, I shall notify the gentlemen so that they may call a board meeting of the Jewish C o l o n i z a t i o n Association. T h e y w i l l probably call i t for Paris, out of consideration for the continental members. Now comes my big request of today. I beg you, Lord Rothschild, t o come t o Paris for the days of this meeting; I shall also be there. I expect a decisive effect from your generally respected personal authority. I f we can make the public subscription easier for ourselves i n such a way from the outset, itis certainly sensible t o save strength. Another thing could be accomplished a t the same time. Apart from the I.C.A. people, t o whom I wouldn't care t o confide everything, a discussion with Baron Alphonse and Baron Edmond Rothschild would b e o f the greatest value. I w o u l d meet the gentle-

m e n a t your place. ‘They could be of great help to us i n the political part of the proj: ect, b y nipping i n the b u d any misgivings that may arise on the part of the French government. As you probably know, French jealousy exists i n this quarter, and your Paris cousins could easily

allay i t a t the right place. I hope t o forestall the other political difficulty which I foresee a a remote possibility i n m y worries, a n unfriendly attitude on the part of Russia, b y going to the Czar myself. I have a n access t o him,

but do n o t plan t o go there until there is some distinct point toit. Naturally , neither France nor Russia can frustrate the project once we have the agreement i n our pocket, b u t they could caust

THE COMPL ETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1411 us trouble some day; and I a m always i n favor o f clearing away the

obstacles before one stumbles over them. Above all, I don’t w a n t t o lose any usable moment; then, when we have the Charter, we must turn the first sod i n the autumn. W h e n o u r technicians return home, w e m u s t immediately set up a work schedule with them, and the migration m u s t be or-

ganized. Of course, I have long-prepared outlines for all that, as well as a tight organization a t m y disposal, b u t the implementation requires careful action. Then, too, our life span is a short one; and we have to hurry if we w a n t t o do good while we are still o n earth.

I hope t o have pleasant news from you soon, dear Lord Rothschild. Until then I am Yours devote dly, Herzl .

Febru ary 1 1 , Vienn a T o the Gran d Vizier (to be dated later ): *

Date d Feb ruar y 16 Your Highness: I have the hon or to ret urn t o a sub ject wh ich I had disc

ussed b y Imperial order last year wit h H . H . Sai d Pasha, Yo ur Highness’s predecessor. Inv ite d on t w o occasions by H.I .M. the Sultan, wh o honors me with his lof ty benevolence, I we nt t o Co nst an tino ple i n Fe bru a and a t the end of Ju ly t o reach an agreement wi th the Im pe ria l

government ab ou t a fin an cia l tra ns ac tio n to be org an ize d b y the Jews. h e basis of

that arrangement wo uld have been a concession OT the colon iza am tio n toa granted t o the Zio n; t ist Or ga niz ati on of wh ich 1Zati

* I n French i n the or igi na l.

1412 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL T o m y great regret w e were n o t a b l e t o reach a n agreement. But

i n dismissing m e H . I . M . deigned to express his gracious disposi. tion toward us and to say that I would be allowed to return with other proposals.

The misery of our poor persecuted people, however, has not lessened. O n the contrary. Once again Spring will be the signal for a painful migration of our Rumanian Jews and others.

Under these conditions we have had t o work

at

a practicable

plan. And, i n fact, a t this very m o m e n t w e are a t a n advanced stage

of very serious negotiations w i t h a government t o obtain a colonial

concession i n an African country. But a t this supreme hour I have thought of returning once more t o that place to which I a m drawn b y m y well-known devotion to

the august person of your master and by the sympathy that exists between your people and mine. Much is said of the political difficulties expected i n the Spring. You will perhaps need financial assistance. I am i n a position to procure i t for you without delay. Moreover, we are n o t a t all demanding. The new proposal that I have the honor t o submit t o the lofty wisdom of the Imp. govt. is in every respect the same as the one we are submitting to the government w i t h which we are

negotiating for colonization i n Africa. There is only one difference. I t is that we guarantee you i n advance an annual payment of one hundred thousand Turkish pounds, whereas the other government does n o t demand and will

be given a previous guarantee. The meaning of this guarantee is that you will be able at once

not

to float a loan of two million Turkish pounds o n this new security. M y friends w i l l make you this loan as soon as the concession 1S granted. I am taking the liberty of submitting a draft of this charter to

Your Highness. This proposal may be summarized as follows: You will grant us the right of colonization for our persecuted people, who w i l l become Ottoman subjects, as the colony will of course remain under the sovereignty of H . I . M . the Sultan. And

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1413 not only will we bring you industrial and capital resources, we hoy also procure you a loan of 2 mill. Turkish pounds whose amortize tion will cost you nothing, being covered by the annual guarante t of 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 Turk. pds. P beg Your Highness t o be good enough t o take this proposal under consideration and t o submit i t t o the council of ministers. At the same time I lay i t a t the foot of the Imperial throne. I have the honor t o remain Your Highness's most humble servant

Dr. Th. H .

Febr uary 1 1 Greenberg wires: *

Commission started Kantara today. Have

all well. Have had interview wit h Cro to see tomorrow Boutros wit

heard from Kessler

mer qu ite successful. I hope

h others of the Egyptian Governm

Telegraph as soon as possible

ent.

i f I can fin d yo u Vie nn a al] ne xt

week. Can mo st probably fix as mu

ch as possible about end of thi s

or beginning of next week

.

Answer to Greenberg

:*

Sinuato

I's ha ll stay at

Pi ns k

Vi en na

Ve lk en d R modon Chim osoren

Laimodop R um or

A ll ne xt week D o no t leave be fo re C har te r signed by

Egyptian Governm en Chisel. S in ua *

®

Origina ¢eyy.

&

ent

to P in sk W el ke nd %

.

1414 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7] Sire: *

I have the honor to lay a new proposal a t the foot of the Imperial

throne in the present grave situation. Perhaps Your Imperial Majesty will need, i n the near future, a l l the loyalty a t his disposal; and i f I were summoned w i t h m y friends to serve h i m , we would n o t fail. There is s t i l l another reason that causes m e to act now. I n several

countries the situation of our poor Jews has become so intolerable that we m u s t find a refuge for them a t any cost. T h a t is why the

Zionist Committee, of which I am the head, has entered into negotiations with a government that controls sufhicient territory in Africa. These negotiations are quite serious and quite advanced. B u t a t the last m o m e n t I return once more t o the place t o which a m called b y m y profound devotion to Y.I.M.’s august person and

the secular sympathies between the Turkish people and the Jewish nation.

The proposal may be summarized as follows: For a concession to colonize a part o f Galilee we will procure a loan of 2 million Turkish pounds for the Imperial treasury.

The colonists would become Ottoman subjects and the colony would remain under the sovereignty of Y.I.M. For greater clarity I have sketched a plan for a Charter, and I am transmitting i t a t the same time t o H i s Highness the Grand Vizier. The happy consequences of such a Charter granted by the generous Caliph would probably be immense. Spread by newspaper cables t o the four corners of the earth, the news would produce, outside of the immediate financial result, 2 current of friendship for the Turks among the Jews of the entire world, one that would grow from day t o day, and, i n these perhaps difficult times, the Ottoman Empire could count o n unfailing grati tude.

May i t please God t o make me heard by Y.I.M. i n this grave hour I am and remain Y.I.M.’s most humble and obedient servant Dr. Th . H. ®

I n French i n the origi nal.

L 1415 S O F T H E O D O R HE RZ T H E CO MP LE TE DI AR IE February 1 5 , Vie nn a Le tte r to Ibr ah im : *

Da ted Fe bru ary 1 5

My Dear Excellency:

a lett er for H . I . M . the I have the hon or t o enclose her ewi th t o the Sanjak of Acr e Sultan, containing a new proposal rela tive and t o a loan of 2 mill . Tur kish pounds. abo ut a plan for I am a t a very advanced stage of neg otia tion the mat ter t o a Jewish colonization i n Afric a. Before brin ging quar ter whe re conclusion, I wanted t o apply one last time t o that so many sympathies draw me. will I hope you are well and I beg you t o main tain your good toward me. Accept, my dear Excellency, the assurance of m y high regard and of my friendship. Herzl.

Letter to Izzet: *

M y Dear Excellency:

Today I am sending H.I.M. a new proposal about which I am taking the liberty of giving you confidential advance information. My new proposal might be acceptable. We are n o t asking much: only the right t o colonize i n the Sanjak of Acre i n return for a guaranteed annual payment of 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 Turk. pounds, nominally based on that annual r e n t . The issue would have t o be calculated a t 80%, I n order t o allow a profit for the syndicate.

a oncemy last departure from Constantinople I have sought and Ab Le arrangement for Jewish colonization, this one in attempt with e y concluding negotiations I am making one more I t would be so good for everyon e i f we could reach a n agreem ent ®*

I n French i n the orig inal.

1416 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7] I beg Your Excellency t o m a i n t a i n your good will toward me ang to

accept the assurance of m y high regard and of my friendship. Herzl.

T o Tahsin: * Your Excellency: I n o w have the honor to lay a n e w proposal a t the foot of the

throne, one which I am taking the liberty of telling you about in advance and in confidence, a more advantageous one than my last. We are asking only for the right t o colonize i n the Sanjak of Acre, i n return for a n annual payment o f 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 Turk. pounds, and we are offering, based o n this guaranteed annuity, a loan of 2

mill. Turk. pounds nominal value, issued a t 8o per

margin of syndicate.

20

per

100

100,

the

being sufficient t o allow a profit for the

I could now make another proposal, as well, for the consolida tion according to a new plan o f m y friends: b u t as it is said every where that the consolidation is a closed matter, I should not liketo take any steps i n t h a t direction without first h a v i n g b e e n invited 1

submit the new plan. I beg Your Excellency t o maintain your good will towards me and t o accept the assurance of m y high e s t e e m . D r . Th . H.

Fe br ua ry 16, Vienna Today I finally finished all the letters

to

Constantinople and

mailed them. Unfortunately late, because o f a l l m y other work

(feuilleton about the actress Niese, and the like, for the N . Fr. Pr, etc.), so that m y parade had n o t reached Constantinople when @

expe dition started t o cause a stir i n Cairo . * I n Fren ch in the origi nal.

ZL 1417 THE COMPLETE DIA RIE S OF THE ODO R HER telegram of This is the reason I give t o myself for Greenberg's tod ay:

*

Have privat e inform ation from Crom er that Cohns (Sultans) e 1s man here is doing all he can t o oppose us. I t is very serious. H acting in confo rmity with instructions from the Sultan. D o n o t forget Khedive is subject t o Sultan. ¥%

#%

*

T o this I am answering: * Perexile Cohnsman Both Guy Months after Rumoren Chisel

you may promise turk. Commissaire two

thousand pounds after Charter signed by Egyptian government

The idea of tackling the Turkish commissar’s resistance with the Egyptian government by the baksheesh method is the result of today’s conversation with Dr. Abdullah Djevdet Bey. This new acquaintance has a curious origin. Djevdet thanked me for a review of his poetry in the literary section of the N . Fr. Pr. and asked me for an appointment. I invited him, and the conversa-

tion soon turned t o my project. Abdullah Djevdet revealed himself as a Young Turk and a friend of the Jews. A second conversation gave me the idea of using h i m to translate m y letter t o the Sultan. H e agreed to d o so; I telegraphically cancelled Badi w h o m I had planned to bring from Constantino ple, and i n three laborious

days Djevdet completed the letter and the Charter for the Sultan. As a gift of honor I gave him a pair of diamond-studded cuff links. He was somewhat reluctant t o accept them, and was more

Pleased with Altneuland which I also gave him. ®

Original text.

1418 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7] B u t then he started i n : d i d I have someone i n Constantinople who could talk w i t h the Ministers? H e was o n very good terms with Memduh Pasha, the M i n i s t e r o f t h e Interior.

E t de fil en aiguille [And, going from one thing t o another] the pock-marked m a n w i t h the dark eyes told m e all sorts of things,

H e said he had been one of the leaders of the Young Turks, but Memduh had “appeased” him. H e now drew 1 5 0 0 francs a month i n his sinecure as “Embassy physician.” And he outlined for me a program of shares—but regarding which I expressly stated: n o t u n t i l after the Charter is signed—as follows: t w o thousand pounds each for Grand Vizier Ferid, Min. ister o f W a r Hassan, M i n i s t e r o f t h e Interior M e m d u h , Minister

of Justice Abdurrahman, Minister of Finance Nasif, Minister of Education Djellal, and the Sheik ul-Islam. Probably others will be added. Further, I promised him £2,000 as well as £100 each for Memduh’s secretaries ( T a i k Bey and Dr.

Beha Bey), and while we were a t i t , another £100 for General Shiikri Pasha’s secretary, Captain Vasfi Bey. General Shiikri Pasha, however, is to get a pair o f horses—because h e is the son of the Minister of War. Incidentally, tomorrow I a m to call o n Shiikn.

Djevdet plans t o get h i m this very day t o write t o his father whos t o win over the other Ministers. T h e Minister of War, according to Djevdet, is a billionaire, b u t h e accepts even the smallest amounts , such as £ 2 , as a present.

I easily agreed t o all this, because I w o n ’ t have any obligation u n t i l after the Charter has been signed. T h e n , too, I consider Djevdet’s prices for the Ministers cheap b y comparison with the Constantinople ones. Djevdet even spoke o f o n l y £1,000 to 1,500

per Minister, evidently because as a literary colleague he wanted t o charge m e a colleague’s r a t e s . A s for h i m s e l f , h e declared his

intention of collaborating pour a m o u r de la bonne cause [tor love of the good cause], whether h e was given anything or not

When I offered h i m the Ministers’ r a t e , he thought that a thousand would be enough for him. I n any case, i n this, as i n all his behavion he makes a wholly likeable impression. T h e fact that he too takes is simply the morality of his environment. H e was visibly dumb

L 1419 S OF THEODOR HERZ TH E CO MP LE TE DI AR IE f too k t o a qu est ion tha t I mysel founded when I tol d him in rep ly even con trib ute d money t o the nothing in any form, that in fact I h i m suspect m y “ho nes ty.” movement. I believe this even made g be honest? Can someone who doesn’t take any thin were me rely those of Of course, we shall see whether his claims an hdbleur [braggart].

to Mem duh this very He promised to writ e a sup port ing lette r

day. February 16 Today I received a pleasant letter from Lord Roth schild who enclosed an obsequious communication from the I.C.A. , signed by Leven, which will gladly do His Lordship’s biddin g if a t all possible.

Febru ary 1 7 I have been t o see the Turkish military attaché, General Shiikri Pasha. A young, effeminate pasha’s son, 28 years old, but as son of the Minister of War in a high position, rich, indolent. I think I got h i m interested i n the matter, a n d h e promised t o write h i s father.

Abdullah Djevdet will draft the son’s letter t o his father, and Shiikri will copy it, according to Captain Vash Bey, a Georgian, who came t o see me yesterday. Vash completed his military education i n Cologne, as a Prussian officer. H e is smart and good-nature d,

and says jokingly that his friend Djevdet is getting “hush money." *

*

%*

I n the evening, a wire from Greenberg: . c a . iasibl e t o obtain a Charter from the Khediv e. being comin8 ) ~ made an altern ative proposal which was now os ed. He was acting i n accordance with Crom er’s inns, awai ting the Khed ive’s cons ent, hope d to leave o

n Mon -

1420 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R ] day, and planned t o do only what was absolutely necessary in re.

gard t o my instructions about the Turkish commissar. I wired back: *

Elkaite Alternative

Do not understand what you mean

Mancinus

Please give full explanation.

February 1 9 , Vienna, evening,

Wire from Greenberg: * Cannot leave until next Monday vessel n o t t o go beyond Brin: disi. I t is urgent arrive London next Saturday week urgent I can

call upon Sanderson. Can you endeavour t o meet Paris last Friday in the month. Telegraph whether you can, to enable me to arrange. %

%

*

M y immediate answer t o this: * Laquucule Desigual Wolf Ufanidad

I cannot leave What are you doing with Sanderson I do not understand

Talgbrot

‘Telegraph me fully

Accultos Lamswel

Present state of affairs D o not leave before all is arranged.

February 19, evening I have received this telegram from the expeditio n: * ®

Origin al text.

1421 THE COM PLET E DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L

Camp opposite moun t Casius lake Sirbon. Report posted.

Kessler. February 2 0 , Vienna Greenberg's actions are inexplica ble to me. I can’t get a straight

answer o u t of him. H e wants t o go back t o London. Why, I don’t know . H e wires: *

Your telegram t o hand this morning the risk is too great tele-

graph by the ABC Code 5th Edition present state of affairs. Dan (Greenberg) is being closely watched. I think the immediate future prospect good. Cromer urgently advised I will see Sanderson soon aspossible before next Monday week, i f I can arrange satisfactorily.

Boutros have made an appointment next Sunday. I cannot proceed Vienna within the time mentioned. What have you t o propose if I do n o t meet Paris. Telegraph as soon as possible t o enable m e to arrange.

February 2 1

Reply t o Greenberg. * Waldbrand Cohn-matters

I am writing for Cohn matter s

Talookah

Telegraph date of departure and

Turi n Chaldron Pinsk Talgbrot

probabl e date of arrival t o Brind isi I f you cannot come Vien na telegraph me fully

from

®

from

Tur in Najade Chaletos

Brin disi I f absolutely necessary I will come i f possible

Juk

Paris .

Original text.

1422 T H E COM PLET E DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HER7] February 21, evening I n answer to this a long-winded and again vague wire frop

Greenberg:* I f I can finish (with) Boutros will leave Monday morning vessel to arrive o n o r about Brindisi during Wednesday night. I can get Paris o n Friday evening. M u s t arrive a t London not later than

during Saturday night. I f you can see your way i f you can proceed Paris much prefer t o avoid delay arising from any cause whatever. I f you cannot arrange satisfactorily I do n o t consider i t absolutely necessary. Telegraph as soon as possible during the morning tomorrow morning i f you can come Paris.

February 2 2 , morning Reply: *

Chalazien Juk

I will n o t come Paris

Waldport Recru

I a m anxiously waiting Report as soon as possible.

February 23, Vienna. Late last night this wire from Greenberg: * Mazzeltov [Congratulations]! Document is received the Sig: nature (of) Egyptian government is i n order. Very satisfactory Further particulars will be sent as soon as possible b y telegraph

(from) Brindis i. Will leave tomorr ow mornin g. * ®

Origi nal text.

*%

*

T H E COMPLET E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1423 I f I understand t h i s wire correctly, h e has received a letter o f

concession, b u t n o Charter. I must be patient for a t least another

four days. Mais déja mon imagination a brodé [But my imagination has already been spinning fancies]. Made plans i n the sleepless dawn. As soon as I have the “document,” I shall draw u p the by-laws of the Land Company here w i t h Kokesch and Kahn. . . will be convened a t Vienna The board of directors of the J . C T and raise the price of the shares t o £2. Then I shall have Rothschild assemble the 1.C.A. I n the meantime the expedition w i l l be back. I shall let the Sultan know that I have the concession. The Congress will be called for June. The subscription of the Land Company w i l l be handled either through the I.C.A. or by public propaganda. But unfortunately I can’t do the most necessary thing, resign from the N . Fr. Pr.! *

%*

%*

Letter t o Crespi, who wrote me under the date of February that everything could be obtained now for a million pounds: *

17

February 23, Vienna. Dea r Sir :

I received your letter of Februa ry 1 4 too late, for o n Februa ry 15 I had sent a much higher proposal t o 363. I did n o t know that in your opin ion 1 mill ion wou ld suffice. But since I have not had a reply t o this date, i t seems that you and I were mistaken.

Like you, I believed that i n the present circumstances they

would need me. And I had another reason for maki ng this last * I n French i n the orig ina l.

1424 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7z] attempt now. M y negotiations elsewhere are completed; a prelimi. nary agreement w i l l probably b e signed next week. I cannot wajt

any longer. This time it is accomplished. 363 does n o t understand, or is being prevented from understand. ing, this opportunity. H e is marching t o his ruin. I regret this. Best regards, Herz l.

February 24 Letter t o Wellisch. H e 1s t o call on Faik Bey, the private secretary of Memduh Pasha, the Minister of the Interior (with the card of introduction that Abdullah Djevdet gave me), and tell h i m that each Minister will get £2,000 from me i f what I demanded i n m y last letter is granted. Faik Bey himself will get a present too (£100). *

%*

*

Febru ary 25, Vienna ‘This morning a wire from Kessler, dated El-Arish:* Arrived in good condition vicinity has made a favourable im pression. N o news from y o u since s t a r t i n g telegrams should reach

here not later than 6th day of March. Marmorek Laurent will leave end of this week.— (Oberati Joskin?) I presume these last words mean that they plan t o call i n Soskin. Ober ati—I have obtained Joskin—Soskin, Palestine agricultu ral expert. Thus evidently a replacement for Laurent w h o is leaving ®

Origin al text.

R HER ZL 1425 T H E COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O Febr uary 25, Vien na M y reply to Kessler: *

your telegram t o hand this morni ng the news has given great satisfaction send all the news you possibly can.

Tahmasp Nasmullen Naseberry

February 26, a t night This evening I received the following peculiar telegram from Greenberg, s e n t from Brindisi: * Document agrees t o concede territory i n Leith t o Check (Jewish Eastern Company) upon report o f Rabbis and to create of territory a municipality. Latter was alternative t o j a m (Charter). Seeing

Sanderson so that he may make (refrexutation?) t o coln (evidently Cohn) i n our favour. T h i n k best i f you cannot leave Vienna m e

come t o you after have seen Sanderson next week. Wire me Zionist what you wish. to

*

*

*

What strikes me unpleasantly about this wire is the obscurity of its wording. T o whom has the “docume nt” been given? T o me, to the Trust, to Greenbe rg, o r to whom? T h e Jewish Eastern Company is not yet i n existenc e. W h y d i d n ’ t h e come t o see m e first,

anyway? According t o my calculations he w i l l arrive i n Londo n o n Saturday where he won't be able t o m e e t with Sanderson before

Monday.

*

%*

*

I got u p at the crack of dawn , because Greenberg's wire keeps m e from sleeping, and am wir ing h i m : * ®

Original text.

1426 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7]

Greenberg voyageur venant de Brindisi [To Greenberg,§€4 passenger on his way from Brindisi]: I should like t o congratulate you b u t I don’t understand cop. pletely. I regret that you came not to give m e f u l l particulars. I mus

know before all which part 1s conceded. Leith and Cork altogether, o r not? I f not the whole, I should call Rabbis back at once because

they have seen enough and I w a n t report. Please wire t o Max 8 rue Léonie exact time of your arrival. H e will wait you. I don’t know yet whether 1t will be necessary t o trouble you with travelling to Pinsk as you came n o t now. First I m u s t see document and read your explanations.

Benjamin.

T o Nordau:

Greenberg is likely to

to

be there a t midnight today. I asked him

telegraph you his arrival. I n case you don’t receive anything

from him, kindly meet the express train a t the Gare [station] Lyon with Alex at noon tomorrow. Wire m e whether results satisfactory,

particularly whether he has Leith and Cork. M y dispositions which I m u s t make a t once depend on i t . Take down for me complete text of agreement. Ben jam in.

February 27, Vienna

Yesterday a very interesting report from the expedition also came. Oskar paints the desert picture with good colors. Colonel Goldsmid gives a real English log-book. Kessler is brie f and clea r. *

*

*

THE COMP LETE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HERZ L 1427 Wire t o Greenberg a t Londo n: * I hope I can congratulate you, I don’t understand completely . First I m u s t know if Leith and Cork altogether or not. I f not the

whole I should call back Rabbis a t once because they have seen enough and I want urgently report. I don’t know yet whether i t will

be necessary troubling you t o Pinsk, as you came n o t now. First I must see document and read your explanations. I urgently request you not t o speak with Courtier or anybody except Joe. A m writing.

February 2% Telegram t o Kessler, E l Arish: *

Adizzo

Arrangements are i n fair progress Have you arrive d a t any conclusion Whe n will the repo rt be o u t Can you send

Chiffrais Recroitre Sdegnero

Durchoxar

durch [by] Oskar

Feb rua ry 28 Telegram to Cowen: *

Issachar’s silence inexplicable. He cam

e no t

t o me

sen t no let ter nor gives ful l particulars. Please give me ful l rep ort a t once. Wi re the important points an d wr ite the rest. *

¥%

*

In the evening I received a wi re from Nordau for whom I had arranged a meeting with Gr eenberg via Modane. I t is his impresSi on that “Gre en berg had obtained everyth ing th at can possibly off

be conceded i n an ®

Original text.

icial ag re em en t.”

1428 T H E C O M P L E T E

DIARIES OF THEODOR

HERZL

Ma rch 2, Vie nna

Today came Greenberg's report and the “document.” The report is the masterpiece of a not completely loyal agent. I had already concluded from Greenberg's conspicuous eagerness to avoid V i e n n a t h a t h e was u n a b l e t o look m e quite straight i n the

eye. This presentiment was fed by his long-winded and yet indefinite wires. H e has been in Europe since Thursday morning, and only today, Monday, do I know where I stand.

The “document” is a rather inconclusive letter from the Egyptian Prime Minister, Boutros, t o Greenberg about a Jewish National Settlement Company which is t o be founded. I t says nothing about either the Jewish Colonial Trust or the A.C. or myself as concession holders. I n Greenberg's draft,* i.e., t h e sketch for a

Charter, of which he also, incautiously enough, sends me a photostat, the name of the applicant for a concession is conspicuous by its omission. I t looks as though “ L . J. Greenberg” was supposed to be inserted there at the last moment. A n d for this h e took £200 for

the first t w o weeks’ trip, and for this second, three weeks’ one, the travelling expenses,* a letter of credit for £100, and on top of that a “credit” of £500 which we shall obviously never see again. The Boutros document consists of hypothetical promises and very definite restrictions. The granting of a Charter is flatly refused. The only valuable thing is one concession which grants something implicite [by implication], although i t t o o was intended as a negation: the statement that the non-Ottoman settlers must subject themselves to the laws of the land. I.e., the settlers need not b e O t t o m a n subjects* ( i f they were n o t brought there b y the Land Company). Greenberg's report effectively veils a fact w h i c h nevertheless

peeps through for my textual-critical eyes, namely, that i n Cairo G . didn’t behave like a n authorized agent a t all, b u t l i k e the boss and o n his own authority. B y doing so h e d i d n ’ t d o the cause any good, I feel, and harmed himself i n m y eyes.

I am writin g him: * I n English in the origina l.

L 1429 S OF T H E O D O R HE RZ TH E CO MP LE TE DI AR IE My dear Greenberg:

eived today. Th e rep ort Many thanks for your report which 1 rec atio n. Bu t unf ortu nat ely gives me an excellent pic ture of the situ I don ’t see tha t we have i t does n o t justify your mazel-tov wire . tros “doc ume nt 15 attained anything wor th men tion ing. The Bou a quite inde finit e note with very defi nite reje on the very thing s w e

desire. I

ctio ns and rest ricti ons

cann ot a n d m u s t n o t indu lge 1 n

any illusions.

mus t b o w I f you tell me now that n o more coul d be attain ed, I than I do. to your judgm ent of the situa tion, which you know bette r On the other hand, even i n this there are aspects of the situat ion

which I know something about. When I wired you on Februa ry 16 “Perexile Cohnsman Both Guy months after Rumore n Chisel,” I knew what I was doing. You could safely have followed m y i1nstructions and left the rest t o me. B u t that is over and done with. Furthermore, my dear Greenberg, you were wrong in n o t coming from Brindisi t o see me—not t o the head of the movement which had made you its authorized agent and representative, but to a friend who has gathered much experience i n these matters over a period of eight years and with many sacrifices. Only now d o I know why you were supposed t o see Wolf today, Monday, because you did not tell me beforehand. I f i t is a matter of intervening w i t h Cohn only—after all, I know Cohn much better than Wolf o r anyone else in England does. Above all, you ought to ask m e whether

astranger’s intervention may n o t be down right harm ful. I t is true,

I don’t know even now what Wolf' s course of actio n is to be. I have

have givers yon o r o o rom you. But i n any case, I could But that to, fs ur. a r s for Wolf, whatever his plans may be. : we are n o t old women who gossip abou t closed matters. But I wish to state for the rec ord tha t you cou ld easily have come to see me. Yo u co uld have gon e t o Bologna o n the same trai n you boarded at Br ind isi . Th er

e¢ you wo uld have had a connection wit h the Vienna express (arrival a t Bologna 1 : 0 5 dep artu re 2:05). Y could have arrived here on Fri da y evening. Yo u wo uld ha ve ra ve d 105,

2:

1430 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER71 in Vienna overnight, left Vienna o n Saturday morning, and would have been i n London o n Sunday evening. Y o u could have re.

quested the meeting with Wolf by simply sending a telegram from Dover and easily have had i t confirmed by this morning. The way things stand now, we can’t do anything but wait for our expedition t o return.

Today Kessler telegraphs me from E l Arish that they will stay for about another month. N o w they w i l l apparently turn south.

ward. I shall inform you of major developments and wait for your news about Wolf, e t c . Permit me only t o repeat t o you herewith m y request which I have already wired you: that you don’t tell even a syllable t o anyone but Joe—particularly not t o Courtier. Please follow this faithfully, dear friend.

Mrs. Greenberg must be pleasantly surprised t o see you again after such a short absence. Please give her m y regards. She probably

thought as I did that you would be gone longer and would only return with the Charter or with the Commission. With the kindest regards,

Very sincerely yours, Herzl. *

*

*

Yesterday a little incident with Prof. Kellner. I have an old lik

ing for him. Before Greenberg's report, which so reduced our hopes, came and when I still visualized us o n the threshold of

foundinga city and a country, the Pelusiac-Sirbonian city idea occupied me. I thought that in the found ing of a city one ought t0 follow as far as possible the traces of an old settlement, for reasons of climate and meteorology. A city is an accumu lation of € x

periences, observations of wind and weather over many decades and centuries. T o be sure, i n our historic times the climate of 2 region can change throug h deforestation, drainage, etc. But the se

and the shore area of Pelusium have probably changed little sinc

T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1431 the times of Psamtik, apart from the cutting off of the N i l e arm through the Suez Canal. So I thought that i n old documents, especially in Greek historians, traces of the habitation of that time must be found. Therefore I planned t o have Kellner, whom I had in mind for the position of secretary-general anyway, prepare a monograph about Pelusium and Lake Sirbon from ancient sources. For this reason I let h i m i n o n the Egyptian expedition and explained t o him what I wanted. B u t how chilled I was by his answer. I had expected jubilant enthusiasm. But that is probably found only among young people. H e said: “ I don’t w a n t t o be stupid any more, as I used to be. My answer is: Five hundred guilders.” I agreed t o that. B u t when I received Greenberg's report I cancelled the assignment for the time being. I t is true, h e is a n overburdened and troubled teacher. B u t I too

am overburdened and troubled. H o w much ought I t o ask for, then?

March 2 , Vienna

Wire from Kessler, El-Arish:* Commission considers charter desirable under favourable con-

ditions. Until conclusion of inspection in a month’s time cannot form an opinion with regard t o conditions, (or if?) colonies practicable.

March 2

Wire to Greenberg, London.*

Thanks for report, b u t mazzeltov seems unjustified. Your coming here now not necessary. A m writing. D o not speak with anybody except Joe. Kindly send another copy of report. ®

Original text.

1432 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ],

March g Telegram t o Kessler, E l Arish: *

Fangled Magallon Greenberg Refrayer Narguames and Goldsmid Repont Cairo Maggiore Maggotish Impunium

Finish as quickly as possible about middle of March

Cairo

——

Talgseife

Telegraph what you do.

—_———

M r . has now returned I w i l l negotiate the business through you ——— —_———

I f you can return —— — 23rd day of March 2p — — — — Instructions will be sent very shortly —

Marc h § I a m now confronted w i t h a new situation. I shall not send

Greenberg t o Cairo again i f i t can be avoided. Goldsmid will be good now; he is more of a diplomat than a soldier, anyway. Matters stand like this, however. O n the Sinai Peninsula the situation is confused i n a way favorable to us. I must differentiate: Possession, power, a n d right.

The Egyptian government has possession, the English govern m e n t has the power, the Turkish government has the right. First I shall have possession assigned t o me b y the Egyptian government, then I shall demand from the English government 2 much power as possible, and, finally, I shall acquire the right to go with i t from the Turkish government, moyennant [by means of] baksheesh. M y instructions t o the new negotiators, Goldsmid and Kessler, w i l l b e i n keepi ng with that. ®

Origina l text.

T H E O D O R HE RZ L 1433 T H E CO MP LE TE DIA RIE S O F Ma rchg e with the Czar has Katzenelsohn reports today that the audienc moved with in the rea lm of pos sibi lity. Mar ch 8, Vien na

him Greenberg wants t o come here now; but now I don’ t want t o come. T o his wire of

today I am replying: *

Do n o t come here. I shall proba bly leave. Kindl y send express another copy of your report and m y jam instruc tion which I sent you through Hump . March 10, Vienna

My dear Kessler:

When you receive this letter in Cairo, your expedition will, with the help of God, be safely over. I don’t know the final result, o f

course, but t o the extent of our dear Col. Goldsmid’s log-book** that has reached me t o date I see that the expedition has proceeded purposefully. Accept as early this m y hearty congratulations and the thanks of the Zionist Movement. Now, in the name of the A.C. I should like t o entrust you with a second assignment which is connected with the one you have just compl eted. You see, I wish to entrust Col. Goldsmid and you j o i n t l y w i t h

the completion of the negotiations which Greenberg started on m y Instr uctio ns.

On March g I telegraphed you t o E l Arish: “Finish (etc., P- 1432).”

Up t o now I have had no reply t o this from you. I account for this by the assumption that you have moved on t o the South and have no ma il connection. * Ori gin al tex t. * ¢ I n English i n the orig inal.

1434 T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7]

You will find enclosed: 1) H i s Exc. Boutros’ letter to Greenberg, revealing the fup.

damental disposition of the Egyptian government; 2) our draft o f a patent;

3) our instructions regarding this; 4) the draft of a charter which Greenberg submitted to Lord Cromer, whose approval h e received, whereas the Egyptian government declared i t was u n a b l e t o give such a Charter o u t of deference t o H . M . the Sultan;

5) a joint power of authority for Col. Goldsmid and you. The final result which you will achieve lies somewhere between Boutros’ letter and Greenberg's draft which was approved by Lord Cromer. I think highly of Col. Goldsmid’s diplomatic skill and your calm prudence. Achieve whatever 1s possible! Try t o complete matters as quickly as possible, for at Eastertime I a m to meet i n Paris with Lord

Rothschild and other gentlemen i n order pany.

to

found the Land Com-

Today I a m sending you only these b r i e f suggestions i n order to get this letter o n tomorrow’s Lloyd boat.

Laurent and Marmorek are arriving here tomorrow, Greenberg the next day. According t o the outcome of these conferences I shall let you have amplifications or restrictions of the present letter. I shall probably also send you written and particularly oral in structions b y Dr. Adolf Friedemann o f Berlin, one of our most

trustworthy representatives. With Zion's greetings, You rs devotedly, Her zl.

Gentlemen,*

As Mr. G.i1snomore in Egypt I h i m i n the eve nt of any que stio ® Original text.

withdraw the powers 1 had given n aris ing i n t h e mat ter of the nego

THE COMPLETE DIARI ES OF THEO DOR HERZ L 1435

ciations and everythingconcerning the proposed Jewish settlement inai Peninsula.

hereby give you the authority t o act on my behalf and on behalf of the Exec. Com. of the Zion. Movmt. of which I am Chairman. You can show this letter to anyone whom i t concerns.

Should either of you be absolutely prevented from acting as our representative, the other may act alone. Believe me t o be, Gentlemen, yours very faithfully. March 10, Vienn a

Now Greenberg importunes me with wires: he wants t o come here.Matters of great urgency,*etc. I'am answering: ** In your telegrams and letters I find n o t explained the necessity of your coming here. Kin dly give me first the reasons by wir e or

letter. I cannot find presently any urg enc

Nothing is changed since you left

got news un kn ow n by me ,

y bef ore Ra bbi s ret urn .

Marseilles unless you have

Benjamin. My dear Colonel Gol

dsmid,**

°

2

M ar ch 1 1 , Vi en na

“lo

English i n t h e

Original fey;

origina], = ©nal

Herzl.

1436 T H E C O M P L E T E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ] Mar ch 16, Vienna

Greenberg is here. H e is unable t o give me any better explana. tion orally. M y impression 1s that h e wanted to bypass me and get the whole thing i n his hands. T h e reason h e went back directly to London is that h e didn’t want t o appear either i n Cairo or in London as though h e had to consult m e o r pay any attention to me.

H e wanted t o speak only with Lord Rothschild. However, I had sensed that and by my repeated telegraphic prohibition (to make disclosures t o Rothschild) had forced h i m t o toe the line or rebel openly. The conversations with him were unpleasantly exhausting, because I don’t trust h i m now and always keep trying t o look behind his arguments. H e declares i t is impossible t o entrust Kessler and

Goldsmid with the further negotiations. This could be done only over his dead body. B u t o n the other hand, he refuses t o return to Cairo immediately. H e says that i t isn’t round the corner.* All counter-requests he rejects as absurd and ridiculous.* His greatest argument Is that he knows Egypt and we d o n ’ t . H e says we must definitely d o w h a t h e wants, i.e., l e t h i m act whenever, wherever,

and however he chooses. H e doesn’t want t o go t o Cairo now, b u t wants t o wait until the Commission returns t o England. H e wants t o have Stephens giv¢ h i m a report, etc. However, I d o n ’ t q u i t e see what intention he ha behind that, for his arguments don’t give m e the impression o

being complete. Nor does he look me straight i n the eye. I n short

the impression is deplorable, without my knowing anything ef inite, howeve r.

Under these circumstances I have decided t o go t o Cairo myself hard though i t will be for me. A t today’s session of the A.C., i n Greenberg's presence, an

having Marmorek and Kremenezky, both of whom he consider more favorably disposed toward h i m , present a motion callin,

o n me t o go; for the time being I don’t w a n t h i m t o realize tha I no longer have any confidence in him. * I n Englis h in the origin al.

E O D O R HE RZ L 1437 T H E CO MP LET E DIA RIE S O F T H in the Jewish Meanwhile, things are already starting t o pop ions. The Hapapers. Dr. Joffe of Jaffa has com mitt ed indiscret are runn ing yehudi in Lond on and the Volksstimme i n Brno notices about the exp edit ion. We've got to hur ry up.

March 18, Vienn a

Lette r t o Roths child:

.* Strictl y confi denti al Dear Lord Rothsch ild:

This is

to

acknowledge receipt, with thanks, of your friendly

letter of the 13th.

I am writing you only today because I had n o clear results before. I have satisfying reports from the expedition of experts which I sent o u t t o explore the Sinai Peninsula. Three gentlemen of this Commission have already returned, while five others are still examining the southern mountain region i n order t o be able t o furnish a complete report. But even the results which are already a t hand i n the reports and memoranda show that the territory we have in mind is suitable for a great settlement. I n addition, we have received a written preliminary assurance from the Egyptian government, granting the desired settlement t o the Zionist Movement i n principle.

"This assurance has, of course, materialized with the cooperation of the English authorities, and its only condition is that the Coms i o n we s e n t off come t o the conclusion that the land can be settled.

As I have already mentioned, this conclusion has since been reached. The Commission will return a t the beginn ing of April. Thus the eventu ality t o w h i c h o u r earlie r conve rsation s a nd etters refer red seems t o m e t o have come abou t. * I n English i n the

original.

1438 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL I ask you, therefore, to get the I . C . A . t o convene i n Paris where you too are planning t o be a t Eastertime. From you, Milord, I have n o secrets. B u t as o f the moment| don’t want to tell the gentlemen o f the I . C . A . what I a m confiding to

you. I shall tell you the reasons for m y caution in person. Therefore I ask you to advise the president of the I1.C.A., M.

Narcisse Leven, who has written you, roughly as follows, either in writing or orally, through the London member Mr. Lousada: “ I (Lord R.) request you t o convene the administrative board of the I.C.A. a t Paris on Easter Sunday, April 1 2 . I shall also go there and make a n important announcement t o the gentlemen.”

For this announcement I shall send you, Milord, all the necessary material and documents, clearly arranged, two days in advance, i n case I a m prevented from coming t o Paris myself. Today

I am leaving for Cairo t o put things in order with Lord Cromer and the Egyptian government. I hope t o be back in Vienna on

April 8, and in Paris on April 11. B y complying with m y request to inform M . Leven of the fore

going, and of nothing but that, you will render our great cause an unforgettable service.

I f you are willing t o do this, I beg you to telegraph me the follow-

ing words a t Shepheards Hotel, Cairo: “ A l l right, Meyer.”* With the kindest regards and sincere respect, I remain

Faithfully yours, Herzl. Marc h 18, Vienn a.

Greenberg has already left. H e did not improve the impression

that his behavior so far has made on all of us. H e claimed h e had to stay i n London n o w n o matter what

‘Thereupon i t was decided that I should go t o Cairo. All of a sudden Greenberg too was able t o g o t o Cairo. B u t i t Was too late. H e realized t o o late that we saw through his game. * I n Englis h in the original.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1439 Now he wants to follow m e to Cairo—and h e even telephoned from the station a n d asked for a fresh advance.

Which will then give h i m a thousand pounds for g trips. ¥*

*

*

I am leaving this evening, via Trieste.

Book Fifteen Begun 1n Vienna

on March 18, 1903

March 18, Vienna.

Confirmation that he will do as I request will be: all right, Meyer.*

March 18, Vienna

Telegram: ** Kessler, Suez, Lakplant Cairo Chascado Shepheard Electrise altogether. Benjamin.

March 2 2

On board the “Semiramis” on the Mediterranean Sea, about 12 hours from Alexandria. A t Brindisi I received a wire from Greenberg informing me that

Lansdowne wishes t o speak with me earliest possible.* Greenberg concludes from this that I ought t o turn around a t Brindisi and go t o London instead of Cairo. He evidently counted on m y perhaps making a quick decision, perhaps too quick a decision, at Brindisi, where there was only a n

hour's lay-over, and trusted that Lansdowne’s wish would be m y command. Under different circumstances I would have followed his advice a t once. But since I have lost confidence i n him, I quickly made m y decision and wired h i m a t London : **

Kindly inform Schneider (L.) I shall come immediately London after having seen Bauer (Cr.). Please remain therefore London . * I n Engli sh i n the original. * ¢ Orig inal text.

1443

1444 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

Benjamin. I certainly don’t want to have h i m i n Cairo now, and if i t can at all be avoided, I shall see to i t that h e doesn’t g o there by himself

either. As for his wire t o Brindisi, 1t 1s again purposely vague and tricky. I t is not made clear whether L . o r h e (Gr.) wants m e to turn back

immediately. %

%*

*

Tomorrow morning I plan t o telegraph Humphreys from Alexandria that I am coming. Humphreys is t o take care of my introduction t o Cromer, Boyle, etc. *

*

*

A t Brindisi I also heard from Oskar Marmorek that my wire to Kessler a t Suez had come back because they had been unable to deliverit. Tomorrow morning, a t Alexandria, I shall telegraph t o Kessler and Goldsmid again: *

Just arrived am waiting Cairo Shepheards. Please come there a t once.

Her zl. %*

*

¥%

I shall also try through Cook's to have a n express courier sent out into the desert to meet them. I f necessary 1 shall send Dr. Friedemann, who boarded the “Semiramis” a t Brindisi, to meet Kessler with a small Cook caravan.

March 24, Cairo

Arrive d yesterday noon. From Alexandria I had wired Kessler and Goldsmid at Suez.

I had asked Humphreys by telegram t o call o n me. The first thing I did in Cairo was t o get Cook’s manager t o have an urgent search for the caravan started by his Suez agent. ®

Origina l text.

THE COM PLET E DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HER ZL 1445 I n the afterno on Humph reys came, a young , incons picuou s-look-

ing Englishman, blond, quiet, built like a tennis player, but with deep blue eyes. I asked him t o notify Lord Cromer and Boyle of m y presence. (Greenberg couldn’t have done any more than this for me either.) I n the evening I received a note from Boyle t o the effect that Cromer wished to receive m e tomorrow, Wednesday.

At almost the same time i n the evening I received a message from Cook's saying that their Suez agent had reported the caravan was approaching—they had sent someone ahead to Suez t o get their mail; there was also the following wire from Vienna: *

Ramipare Hump Admunitum Suez Magiares

Have received the following Kessler will most likely arrive —_—

26th day of March . %

%

%

Inany case, I hope t o have them here the day after tomo rrow , at

the latest.

Let ter t o Bo yle :

*

Dear Sir,

Pray accept my best thanks for the message you were kin d

enough to send m e, mo I rro shallmthe e rrefore have

the honour to cal l o n H His Lo rds hip toi

Believe me, dear Sir, to be yo

urs very ob ed ien tly Th . He rzl .

®

Original text.

1446 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ]. March 25, Cairo

Lord Cromer is the most disagreeable Englishman I have ever faced. I entered his office a t 1 1 o'clock. H e came t o m e e t me. A tall old gentleman with a tendency toward

obesity, a white

moustache, and a high forehead. The conversation was quickly underway. I gave a brief outline of our plan. When I mentioned that we wanted t o build railroads, he interjected: “We'll talk about that later.” I : “Naturally we shall accommodate ourselves t o the wishes of the British government in this.” I mentioned the report. W e would need water, and from the Nile. “ I can’t give you a definitive answer until m y expert on this (the name was something like Gastyne) gets back, in about a month.” “We are asking,” I said, “only surplus N i l e water, what comes from the winter; the water that would otherwise flow i n t o the sea,

unused. We will build reservoirs for i t . ”

I n this connectionI mentioned that by establishing public works projects we would employ about

20,000

people. From that I pro-

ceeded t o the financial question and showed him the telegram from Rothschild which I received yesterday. H e scanned i t with an imperious air and said: “Very cautious. H e will discuss o n l y . * "

After that I also showed him Rothschilds letter of February 13: I n o w believe that both were ill-advised. H e must have thought R.

was more deeply involved with us. H i s tone became cooler. W e also discussed the “rights.” T h e immigrants must have none different from those of the Egyptians.

I said that I would prefer British protection for them. He said that would probabl y amount to the same thing. H e referred t o Boutros’ letter t o Greenberg. W e couldn't man age anything more than that. Within this framework, however, the Turkis h government could have n o objections. ®

I n Engli sh in the origin al.

T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1447 Then I asked whether I should call on Boutros. “Yes. I already told h i m this morning that you are here.” And the Turkish commissar? “No, he has n o say here. I don’t recognize h i m . D o n ’ t have any contact with h i m a t all. Now then, I w i l l wait for the return of your Commission and then see Humphreys, too.” He terminated the audience regally. A b i t too much morgue [arrogance], a touch of tropical madness, and unlimited viceregalism. I think he didn’t like me. Hesaid: “When is Dr. Greenberg coming back?” I . “ M y Lord, I don’t see h i m coming b a c k . ”*

Incidentally, he had casually mentioned that he was willing t o support the project.

However, n o t in a hurry,* but in a businesslike way.* I left. I t may have been a mistake that I didn’t speak French ; I would have had an advantage over him. %*

*

*

LJ

T h e n I drove t o see Boutr os.

A n Egyptian Minis try i n which the Egyptians can’t give any orders. Too many servants idlin g abou t in Spacious waiti ng room s. I'sent in my card and was imm edia tely received by Bout ros. A n old, seedy-looking, obese man, a Cop t. At first we carried on a tourists’ conversation and then got to the po int . “Wh ere are you goin g t o get the wate r from ?” h e too aske d. I brie fly sketched our irrig atio n plan s. Gol d, too, wou ld b e a n

|

Irrigation. He kept agreeing wit h me whi

le we drank coffee

alla turca [Tu rkis h style], unt il the Aus tria n Con sul was ann oun ced . At that po int I took my leave.

I drove back t o Cromer’s house in ord er

secretary.

* I n English i n the ori gin al,

to

call on Boyle, his

1448 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ] Boyle was not in, 1.e., he refused t o see me. A bad sign. So that I have a miserable impression of this forenoon. What mistakes I have made I presumably w o n ' t find out unti] later. *

%*

%*

W h e n I got home, I found Kessler-Goldsmi d’s wire from Suez

waiting for me. They will be here tomorrow.

March 26

The Right Honourable the Earl o f Cromer, G . C . B . etc. e t c .*

M y Lord, I beg t o submit t o your Lordship the enclosed telegram which I received yesterday. T h e commission w i l l arrive this afternoon a t five. I have the honour to remain

Your Lordship’s most h u m b l e a n d o b e d i e n t servant

T h . Herzl.

March 26, Cairo

I consider yesterday franchement [frankly] bad. A large part of the blame for the failure goes to m y weariness and

exhaustion. I was n o t i n full possession of my faculties. A n even greater mistake was m y failure t o call o n Cromer’s sec retary, Boyle, o n Tuesday. From h i m I could have learned the

necessary things about Cromer’s character and disposition, and would have been prepared t o treat h i m accordingly. ®

Origin al text.

1449 THE COM PLET E DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HER ZL This way I became acquainted with the man only while I was losing the game. O r let us say: the first round . 3%

%

%

Yesterday afternoon I went to a lecture about the canalizat ion of Chaldea by Sir William Willcocks, a locally celebrated authority

in matters of irrigation. Chaldea is the land which the Sultan offered to me last year.

Apart from a few details, the lecture was dreadfully boring. What interested me most was the striking number of intelligentlooking young Egyptians who packed the hall. They are the coming masters. I t is a wonder that the English

don’t see this. They think they are going t o deal with fellahin forever. Today their 1 8 , 0 0 0 troops suffice for the big country. B u t how much longer? I t 1s the same English boldness and cold-bloodedness which makes them give the notes of the Bank of England only weak metal backing. This boldness makes them magnificent merchant adventurers; * but i t also always makes them lose their colonies later.

What the English are doing is splendid. They are cleaning up

the Orient, lettin g light and air into the hlthy corners, break ing old tyrannies, and destroying abuses. B u t alon g with freed om and progress they are also teaching the fella hin how t o revo lt.

dese

that the English example i n the colonies will either

y England's colonial empire—or lay the foun dati on for England's wo rld do min ion . One of the mos t Interesting alternatives of our tim e.

I t makes one feel like coming back in fifty

turned ou t.

years t o see how i t has

Ma rch 2%, Ca iro

Yesterday S ent anoth er d ing. pP v i ing state o dy I n a mos t unn erv f wai t:

:

* I n English i n the or igi na l,

1450 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7Z]L The commission didn’t arrive until 1 1 o'clock a t night, in good spirits and brown as berries. Then, i n my drawing room and in the presence of the others, Goldsmid spent till 12:30 reading to m e the report as I had roughly

foreseen it. I only wish that the first part of this sentence were omitted: “Under the present circumstances, cannot be settled—but i f water is made available, i t can b e settled.”

Also, the reason why we want t o have the land u p t o the 2gth parallel should n o t be mentioned. *

¥%

*

Today I a m sending Goldsmid to see Boyle and a m having the

report typewritten. *

March 28, Cairo

Yesterday morning the commission m e t a t m y hotel. I began listening t o the oral reports and had the preliminary work plans sketched for me.

Stephens is the pearl of the expedition. I t is

true

that he hasa

stutter, but his explanations are wonderfully clear and based ona great knowled ge of the subject.

I sent Goldsmid t o see Boyle; however, he came back t w o hours later and reported h e had spent the entire time w i t h Cromer, who

had sent for him immedia tely. Cromer had spoken w i t h h i m i n somewhat the same vein he had

with me—but obviously for much longer. This shows that Cromer wishes t o deal with Englishmen. So! decided to entrust the continuance o f the negotiations to Gold-

smid and Kessler, since I don’t w a n t t o have Greenberg operate here by himself any longe r. His advice (Brindisi wire) not t o s u b m i t t h e report t o Cromer but t o Lansdowne bears the stamp of insincerity anyway. They all tell me—Kessler as well as Goldsmid and others—that i t would * I n Englis h i n the origin al.

T H E COM PLET E DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HER ZL 1451 run quite counte r to Englis h custom not t o get the repor t into Cromer’s hands first .

Therefore there are only t w o explanations for Greenberg's advice: either he wants t o drag things o u t and gain time, o r he wants to create hostilit y between Crome r and myself. Cromer told Goldsmi d he must have one of us here—on the spot*—so he could send for h i m a t any time. This proves how right I was to instruct Greenberg to stay here

until the expedition returned. The reasons for his departure are getting more and more mysterious. Levontin has sent word that Greenberg drew the £100 for traveling expenses although he didn’t take the trip. We'll see i f he returns it. But I wouldn't mind i f he kept it.

March 24 I have decided t o send the commission’s report, which Goldsmid dictated to a typewriter,** to Cromer with the following letter: * **

My Lord, I have the honour t o submit for your consideration the report of the commission that has just returned from the Sinai Peninsula. I'need hardly remark that should Your Lordship wish t o see the members of the Commission, they will be happy t o wait o n you a t any time you may be pleased to appoin t. I purpose leaving i n the course of the week for London with the object of furnishi ng a copy o f the above report t o Lord Lans-

downe, should you have no objection, and will be happy t o wait on your Lordship before leavin g whenever i t suits your convenience. I am, M y Lor d, your most humble and obedie nt servant

Th. H . * I n English i n the orig inal . *®

Translator's Note: Herzl obvio us] confused the English :

with the designation of its opera tor. ’ * * * Orig inal text .

i

;

t

i

erm for the mach ine

1452 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES OF THEODOR HERz]

Shepheard’s Hotel.

Toward evening I made a call w i t h Stephens which I believe wag the best one to date: o n Sir Hanbury Browne, the Under-Secretary

for Public Works. Sir Hanbury, who is retiring now, 1s spending these last days of his stay in Cairo o n a N i l e yacht. We visited him o n this houseboat.*

A well-mannered, intelligent, quiet Englishman of some fifty years.

Stephens explained things

to

him, and I listened intently. |

didn’t understand much of the technical details, of course, b u t ]

did learn enough t o join i n the conversation, and n o t foolishly. Sir Hanbury had already been consulted by Lord Cromer, since the chief expert, Sir William Garstin, is in Mombassa right now.

But Cromer had mentioned t o Sir Hanbury an enormously square kilometers—while only 2 5 0 are larger territory—50,000

involved. For that, Sir Hanbury had declared, they could supply no water. According t o Stephens’ explanation i t turned out that only about t w o t o three million c u b i c meters o f w a t e r per day w o u l d be re-

quired, and those could be spared without any trouble, said Sir Hanbu ry. ‘This is a point won, and I w i l l wave i t under Cromer’s nose.

But for me, a former poet, an even more affecting thing was the atmosphere o n this houseboat* o n the N i l e , w i t h the sun setting

behind palms in the fragrant distance.

|

And two English engineers* were having an up-to-date* dis

cussion in technical jargon of the capacity of the legendary steal which was t o be conducted t o the parched land of the homecoming Jews. ®

I n Englis h i n the origin al.

T H E C O M P L E T E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1453 Whenever I didn’t understand any of their figures and calculations for a while, I looked o u t the cabin window at the brown river,

which flows along as i t did i n the days of Moses, our teacher.

March 28

A t 9:30 a telephone message* came from Lord Cromer: I was t o come o u t there a t once. Goldsmid had received the same message. I took Stephens along too. Cromer received us briskly, b u t n o t unamiably. H e tried t o address himself mainly t o Goldsmid. B u t I had taken the first seat n e x t t o his desk which was m y due. The conversation was brief and t o the point. Cromer stated that we should now demand the concession from the Egyptian government. ( I had instructed Greenberg t o hire a lawyer, but he had neglected t o do so. The work we are just starting ought t o have been ready by now.) I asked whether we should use MclIlwraithe, the legal adviser* of the Khedive, for this purpose. N o , a lawyer.

I asked His Lordship t o recommend one t o us. H e recommended Carton de Wiart. Stephens corrected Cromer’s erroneous assumptions about the size of the Pelusiac Plain and the amount of water necessary.

Cromer also remarked that granting the concession would take several months. However, the matter would b e settled here and not

in London. So he was miffed. O f course, I could send the report

to London, i f I wanted to.

H e dismissed us. Goldsmid found Cromer’s statements very satisfactory.* * ®

I n English i n the original.

¥*

*

1454 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL Then I signed m y name i n the Khedive’s guest book. Carton de Wiart is an Anglicized Belgian of 50. I briefly told him what i t was about and asked h i m t o see me a t my hotel in the afternoon, when I would give h i m instructions.

March 29, Cairo Attorney Carton de Wiart was here. I gave h i m instructions. We will give u p the word “Charter,” but n o t the thing itself. I think he understood. I quoted to h i m what Talleyrand said when Napoleon was con-

ferring with him and Sieyés about a Constitution. “Une constitution doit étre courte et [ A Constitution must be

brief and] . . . ” said Sieyes. “Et obscure [and obscure],” Talleyrand completed the sentence. *

%*

*

H e plans to have the draft of the patent o f concession ready on Monday. *

*

%*

I had asked Sir William Willcocks, the Tigris Canal man, to have lunch with me. Il faisait le beau [ H e put o n airs], i.e., he posed as the surmounter o f all obstacles.

However, I want t o keep him in m y game. %

¥%

¥*

I n the evening, a drive to the pyramids. M e t Lord Cromer, the master. I regretted that I didn’t have a n elegant carriage, but only

ashabby cab. But perhaps he feels that I look more businesslike* that way.

‘The misery of the fellahin by the road is indescribable. I resolve to think of the fellahin too, once I have the power. %

I will have to be patie nt. ®

I n Englis h in the origin al.

¥*

%

T H E COMP LETE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HERZ L 1455 March go, Cairo Yesterday's big thing was my conversation with the “legal adviser,’* de facto [for all practical purposes] Minister of Justice, Malcolm Mcllw raithe . He is a splendid fellow. A jolly Englishman, shrewd b u t honest, adaptable but firm. With h i m i t was a meeting of minds quick as a flash. He is a hussar of laws. At first he wouldn't admit me. I t seems he didn’t know m y name, or he probably took m e for only a b i t player, which I evidently

had stalwart Greenberg t o thank for. I wrote Greenberg's name on my card which the secretary had brought back, whereupon he asked me t o come back in half an hour. I came, and five minutes later we understood each other. MclIlwraithe has a comical and characteristic feature in his often laughing face: he has c u t his reddish moustache too short parallel to his upper lip. H i s purpose is clear: he doesn’t w a n t t o bathe his moustache in his soup. This is how purposeful everything he does, writes, and says is. He laughs a lot, as i f he were amused by all rogues and as i f he regarded all people as blackguards or blockheads. He talked de omni re scibili [about everything under the sun]. He gave me his report about the judicial year 1go2. I read i t this morning; i t is absolutely first-rate. I amused him with stories about Yildiz Kiosk. H e enlightened me about Egypt's administrativ e situation, t o the extent that I didn’t already kno w it. I think he was somewhat impressed when I told h i m that Chamberlain had helped me and that Lord Rothsch ild would han dle the fina ncin g.

I mentioned how good our project would be for England. “And where are the advantages for Egypt?” he asked like pince

Sans rire [a dead-pan jok er] .

* I n English i n

the orig inal .

1456 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL “ T h e advantages for Egypt are of an economic character* | said with composure. “ A t least the money which we bring in will * be there.” “Yes, if i t does not sink into the ground,”* he joked. Bref, la cordialité la plus franche n e cessait de régner [ I n short,

the frankest cordiality prevailed throughout]. But I think he laughs most a t the fez which he wears KhedivalEgyptian style. I n conclusion we arranged t o m e e t with Carton Wiart tomorrow, Tuesday, when we plan to place the draft o f a concession before

him.

I n the afternoon I saw Attorney Carton, who informed me that Lord Cromer had s e n t for him the previous evening and discussed our project with him for an hour and a half. So His Lordship is giving our matter more expeditious treatment than he wants t o let on.

March 3 1 , Cairo Yesterday was a day of piétinement sur place [marking time]. Carton de Wiart seems t o be the only lawyer i n Cairo, for every: thing that happens is i n his hands. That is why he hasn’t been able t o draw u p the patent of concession as yet. But he has spoken with Mr. Roccassera, the Egyptian govern ment’s attorney. The latter recommended that he keep the conces: sion brief (ce q u i me va parfaitement [which suits me perfectly)); also, i t should be only a lease** and n o t a freehold*. I am demanding a gg-year lease and the fixing of the tribute ac: cordin g t o the average of the last 2 0 years. ®

I n Englis h i n the origin al.

* * I n English in the original. Herzl here translates “lease” into German in paren:

thesis: also Pacht.

1457 THE COM PLET E DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L Today I w i l l work o u t the patent with Carto n mysel f. *

%

*

Col. Goldsmid asks, via Kessler, for another £150 “ t o send to my wife” as well as a letter of credit for expenses,* i f h e is to stay here. A bit expensive. *

%

%*

Questions de préséance [Questions of protocol] are more important than one would believe. O n the first day after the return

of the expedition Dr. Friedemann, who 1s usually well-behaved, committed the mistake o f taking the seat a t the head o f the table,

which 1s my due. Asasubtle punishment, a t the n e x t meal I invited Goldsmid “to take the chair.” But Goldsmid is treating this as a permanen t institution , n o w considers himself the head man, and— —and demands too much for staying here. *

%*

%

I f I succeeded in gettin g the concession this week, I woul d leave

the Nile wate r question in suspense* and leave Goldsmid here t o deal with it. Then he’ll get i t from them.

Apr il 1 , Cair o

A Yesterday morning I first w e n t

to

see Mr . Carton de Wi

art . H e eld his head, saying that he ha d ha d t o pu t ice packs o n it all

night. A weak head. | t h i n k i t was ou r con tra ct, wh ich h e co

cope with, that caused him t o rac H e ha d made a few

* I n English i n the or

uldn’t

k his brains so. I helped him .

measly starts o n a dra ft for a con ces sio n— et

igi na l,

1458 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL ¢a nous c o t t e r a les y e u x d e l a t é t e [and t h a t will cost u s o u r shirts],

However, he does have the inestimable advantage of routine, The sentence “la Compagnie pourra jouir . . . comme dune chose l u i appartenant [the Company will be able t o enjoy . . like a thing belonging t o i t ] ” 1s worth its weight i n gold. I attached the greatest importance t o taking over the wording of Boutros’ letter t o Greenberg, because that 1s already terrain acquis [ground won] and will save us complications. I n Paragraph 14 the Nile water question was reserved for a later agreement—for which I will leave Col. Goldsmid here. Carton breatheda sigh of relief when I had completed the contract for him. A t 1 1 : 3 0 we had our appointment with MclIlwraithe. The latter was already waiting for me and Goldsmid. H e had a giant English m a n with h i m who was also wearing a tarboosh. T h e giant, a Mr.

Buriant or something like that (name incomprehensible) was introduced t o us as an important man. Probably a sort of section head. Until Carton’s arrival, Goldsmid’s military humor footed the bill of a dragging conversation. Goldsmid is of the greatest usefulness for filling pauses. Carton came, b u t didn’t have the documents o n h i m . They were

telephoned for. Another 2 0 minutes dragged by in which all sorts of things were discussed: jurisprudence, travels, and the theater. Mcllwraithe spoke about Brieux’ Robe Rouge and about 2 court-room drama i n which the Italian Novelli is appearing here

now. Carton’s papers finally arrived. Carton read our draft. McIlwraithe grinned when he heard the Charter tinkling o u t of the concession. T h e giant with the tarboosh, however, clamped down:

“That's a Charter. The sovereign rights are i n i t . ” Which I disputed. I referred t o Paragraphs 4, 5, and 10, which

were taken over verbatim from Boutros’ letter. ‘The tarboosh giant further took exception to the word territoire i n Art. 6. That mean t Chart er.

THE COM PLET E DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HER ZL 1459 I said that i n French the word territoi re had not only the international-law sense, b u t also meant a suite de terrain s. We are not asking for terrains; the soil is too bad for that. W e can accomplish something only i f we have a continuou s area. Co

The giant also wanted t o criticize the expedition commission. But when he heard that the English colonel who was present had

participated in it, he became milder. For such purposes Goldsmid is really valuable. At parting I asked Mcllwraithe t o expedite matters, because I had a whole general staff of engineers to assemble, as well as any

number of other tasks. Mcllwraithe amiably promised t o do all he could. B u t a number of formalities were required. First of all, the governme nt would

make me a counter-proposal. However, he believed that arrangements would be comple ted before I landed a t Brind isi. Would Golds mid have f u l l powe rs* to concl ude a n agreement?

Yes!*

%

%

J

In the afternoon I saw Maitre [Attorney] Carton de Wia rt. Carton said the tarbooshed giant did n’t hav e much influence. Incide ntally, he (Carton) had gone back there again abo ut something else and had overheard Mc llw rai the tel ling the gia nt he shouldn't make any trouble.

Lord Cromer too

is well disposed toward our cause, i n Carton’s Opinion (which I don’t share ). Ca rto n did ev n’t remember Cr om er er sho :

wing S0 mu ch int ere st

showingi n ours.

I asked Ca rto n to te

ll Lo rd C ,

tvening) that we have el

* I n English i p

the

:

an y cause i n 2 0 years as h e was

in

:

(sj

im in at ed the N ile wa ter question,

original,

1

1460 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ].

Yesterday this wire came from Greenberg: * Perdrigon Chisel Najeranas Kalkleber Nardus Schneider

What progress have you made Egypt. Govt. I t 1s absolutely necessary I m u s t know Negotiations still pending Lansdowne. #*

*

*

I didn’t give h i m any answer. I f Lansdowne wants t o know anything, he can learn i t more quickly through Cromer. And my confidence in Greenberg is badly shaken. Yesterday morning I wired him that I will leave o n the 4th. That isall he needs t o know.

April 2 , Cairo Yesterday, from my point of view, an idle day, and I don’t know whether i t was good or bad for us. M y proposal for a concession was evidently examined and weighed.

What will the Egyptian government's counter-propo sal be like? I now believe that i t was a mistake t o give Greenberg's draft ** t o Mcllwraithe. For there is too much i n i t , while my draft contains fewer details and thus looks more harmless. Bref—attendre [In short—wait]. I didn’t hear a thing from the overworked Carton de Wiart yesterday. *

*

*

Baron Oppenheim, the German Legation Councillor, has twice left his card a t my hotel and invited me t o lunch today, although have never m e t him. ®

Original text. I n English i n the original .

*®

F T H E O D O R HE RZ L 1461 O IES AR DI TE LE MP CO E TH Co nsu l, Ba ron Bra un, has n’t On the other han d, the Aus tria n

t i n to him . even replied t o my card wh ich I had sen ue. Counterpart t o Okolicsdnyi a t The Hag conc erne d, I don t As far as the diplo mat s of m y fath erla nd are ts of whose existexist. They treat me as though I were air, these idio |

n m y nam e will ence not a soul w i l l any long er have a n idea whe still shine throu gh the ages like a star.

April 2 The luncheon* a t Baron Oppenheim’s (de Cologne) has been explained in a most funny way indeed.* A party of German professors and diplomats gathered in O.’s house, which is very tasteful in the Oriental manner. T h e host came waltzing in late: of below-average height, a scar on his cheek, officer's moustache, dashing, a trim waistline—a good, b u t some-

what too labored copy of a Prussian** Junker [member of landed gentry].

All the discomfort of an alien, stiff society.

But when he asked m e about my scholarly field, I felt even more

uncomfortable.

“None a t all,” I said, for I guessed that he hadn’t wanted t o in-

vite me i n the first place.

The Mosses, a quai nt mixt ure of Miik lend amm ers* ** and

étrangers de distinction [distinguished foreigners],

and thought things “elegant.”

were also there

Only after lunch was I able t o pul l the host asid e and ask him

whether there wasn’t some misunders tanding. “You were kin d enough t o leave you r card wit h me .” Ned English in the original.

ranse, lator Note preussisch tq. 's sp o : : H ere and a b i t furth er on Herz l write s preu’sche inste ad of Prussians the clipp ed speech and stiff bea ring of these wou ld-b e i

i

ooo T

’ ranslator’s Note: Jews engaged

in business on the Miihlenda mm in Be rlin

1462 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ]

“No, dear Baron, you did so first; you came t o my place twice.” “Once.” I n short, i t turned o u t that the first card had been left by mistake. T o be sure, h e had known Gottheil i n N e w York (that is what

I had surmised, remembering one of G.’s letters); but he wouldn't hear of the Zionist movement, even asked m e not to get him in.

volved with i t i n any way. (Plus O. de Cologne que jamais [More O. de Cologne than ever]).* Whereupon I told him, by way of reply t o this Jewish convert fear of his, about the Kaiser and the Grand Duke. After that h e claimed to b e against Zionism from political ex-

perience. I felt sorry for him. This O . de Cologne scion is the best proof of what a life-long strain assimilationism involves. A life-long comedy. H e acts the Prussian Junker; but I believe he would be happiest if he could say sh’ma yisroel [Hear, o Israel] when, i n fencing, he is hit by a thrust i n quarte. And on top of it, Mr. and Mrs. Mosse, advertising agency from Berlin, who find him “elegant.” What an effort these Jews make to play comic roles.

Apri l 3, Cairo Yesterday, after sunset, I went w i t h Goldsmid to see Mcll wraithe. H e received us i n a tennis outfit. T h a t ' s h o w he had just returned from the l a w n * * at Chesireh . This time he made a doubtful face a t our request for a conces:

sion. Mr. Bruniant, the giant w i t h the tarboosh, seems t o have brought h i m round in the meantime. A t any rate, h e said t h a t a n i m m e d i a t e counter-proposal was o u t of the question. T h e m a t t e r would have t o be p u t before the Cabinet, etc. T h e procurement o f judicial personnel w o u l d cause¢ ® *¢

Translator’s Note: A p u n o n eau de Cologne. I n English i n the origin al.

THE COM PLET E DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HER ZL 1463 excessive difficulties, for the language of the negotiations would have to be Ara bic .

I referred t o the example of Austria where there are also all sorts of languages in ordinar y use. Interpre ters would have t o be resorted to. This was n o t exactly conven ient, to be sure, b u t after all, the language question was a disease with which a state could live

hundreds of years. To this he agreed, with a grin. And what about taxation? We shall levy n o taxes, and the n e t profit* is t o come from the

yields of the economy. B u t we cannot engage i n the venture i f the land and the people are free from taxes. T h e state will have only the Company and its books before i t ; in dubiis [in case of doubt], the Committee of Three. The size of the territory requested b y us was the chief misgiving. They are willing t o give us plots all right, b u t n o land. “Butas for us,” I said, “we can use i t only as contiguous territory. We are not real-estate speculators, such as exist here i n Egypt. A s a

land speculation the undertaking we have in mind wouldn't be good enough. The land is worthless. W e have t o make something o u t of i t first.” “And the duration of the contract? I n gg years the disposition of the land is t o be withdrawn from our government. A n d what i f you don’t take enough pains t o make the thing good?” “ I t could be stipulated,” I said, “that the concession will lapse if we don’t make productive investments* i n the amount of t w o million pounds within twenty years.” “Twe nty years!”

“All right, let us say ten years. Actually, we shall complete the vestment s of t w o million pounds very quickly. I would simply |

€ to

be assured of a libera l space of time.”

And I kept coming back t o the question of legal security. I f i t

were certain that the Englis h occupation would last, we would n't need so many precautionary measures. B u t we could n't take i t o n * I n English i n the orig inal .

1464 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7]L our conscience t o see the settlers exposed to Oriental caprice at some later period. H e understood that well enough. As we were leaving, he started speaking German, and fluently, too.

“And yet you looked on while I was struggling with English?” | reproached him. “No, i t was pretty good,” he jested, “your pronunciation is re. markably good.” “ B u t the legal niceties were lost,” I lamented. But he said he had understood me. However, this amiability shall n o t b l i n d m e to the fact that

matters now stand considerably worse. Today I am sending Goldsmid t o see McIlwraithe and request: ing Greenberg's draft of a charter back, since it is only designed t o confuse the issues, as well as being outdated. *

*

%

I n the evening I sent Lord Cromer a letter which I had asked

Goldsmid t o draw up and i n which Goldsmid is designated as acting as my representative.* This draft from his hand replaces my promise that h e will stay here only as m y representative. Other-

wise I would have a Greenberg No.

2.

M y Lord, ** I have t h e honour t o inform y o u t h a t i t 1s m y i n t e n t i o n to leave Egypt b y the Austrian Lloyd steamer o n Saturday next, and to state

that should your Lordship wish to see m e before m y departure, on any matter connected with the concession o n the railway, 1 shall b e happy to wait o n you at any time you m a y appoint tO-MOTITOW,

Friday.

Colonel Goldsmid is remaining i n Cairo and w i l l have the nec essary power given h i m t o act as my representative. ®

I n Englis h i n the origin al. Origin al text.

®#

T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1465 Thanking Your Lordship for the trouble you have taken i n the affair of the Concession, I have the honour t o subscribe myself

your obedient humble servant. April 2 , 1 9 0 3 Drawn u p by Goldsmid personally.

April g, Cairo Dear Lord Rothschild:

This will acknowledge receipt, with thanks, of your friendly wire. I have discussed everything necessary here with Lord Cromer and the Egyptian government and am leaving for Europe tomorrow. I shall stay i n Vienna until Easter Monday and then go t o London where I have some things t o arrange with the government. On the 18th I shall be i n Paris. Please telegraph me a t Vienna (Address: Vienna-Wihring, Haizingergasse 29) the date of your departure from London. Perhaps I can still see you i n London. With kindest regards,

Very sincerely yours, Herzl. April 7, o n the Adriatic Sea Aboard the “Bohem ia.” I have given Goldsmid instructions to get from Cromer, i f at

all possible, the concession without Nile water, for the time being, but t o leave the w a t e r question, since Cromer won't do i t any other way, until Sir William Garstyn’s return (May). As soon as he has the concession, h e is to see the Lesseps Company a t Ismailia and secure the ®

I n Englis h i n the origin al.

wharf wall,* the railway station a t Port

1466 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL Said, and one fresh-water siphon (from Port Said), while for the moment t h e Ismailia s i p h o n should n o t b e m e n t i o n e d t o the Sue;

people. *

*

¥*

This morning, a t Brindisi, I received a wire from Goldsmid:* “Have had a n interview with Cromer, n o news, matters in consideration.”

Cromer didn’t w a n t t o receive me before m y departure and wrote a cool letter o f refusal, saying t h a t many modifications**

would still have t o be made in our draft before i t could be accepted. *

*

*

I am now pinning my hopes on Chamberlain, whom I plan to see next week. H e is more detached from the matter, therefore has a higher view of it—and does not know the value o f the big tract

of land I am requesting.

April 1 5 , Vienna Before my departure for Paris where Rothschild is expecting

me. Telegram to Goldsmid, Cairo: * Talgfett

Telegraph what you have done

Paris Hotel Chatham. Benj amin .

April 1%, Paris Yesterday the followin g from Goldsm id in Cairo: * ® *¢

Origina l text. I n Englis h i n the origina l.

O D O R HE RZ L 1467 THE CO MP LET E DIA RIE S O F T H E

fairly be exPeregrino Making as much progress as can pected

parchment Mcllwraithe

|

Aftertopas

will be away for a shor t time

Paper

Goldsmid.

April 1 7 , Paris Yesterday, right after my arrival, had the showdown with Greenberg in the presence of Nordau, Cowen, and Wolffsohn . I reproached h i m moderately, confining myself to reprimandin g him for failure to follow m y instructions.

At 6 o'clock i n the evening I was with Lord Rothschild a t 2 rue St. Florentin, in the truly princely house of Alphonse, the Rothschild reigning in France. Pleasant eighteenth century i n the drawing room. Lord Rothschild had me report t o h i m o n the present situation. His intellectual mediocrity is distressing; but he is a man who is truly good and devoted t o me.

The conclusion of his wisdom (and helpfulness) was: I should prepare a memorandum which would be studied by the 1.C.A.

The 1.C.A. was in trouble right now because of the bill* by which i t hoped t o straighten out its conflic ting by-laws.

He also mentioned Zangwill’s attacks on the 1.C.A., everything vague, without conclusion. The I.C.A. people Leven and Zadoc had been t o see h i m : h e had

told them that he was going t o see me today. H e furth er told them OE" me they had the oppo rtunit y of doing some thing ea t.

and he ommended that I Any forth Finally. 1

tell the I.C.A . only about E l Arish n m e a t e settle ment o f 5, 10, Or 15,000 famili es. igger things they would consid er a dream .

¥> 1 told him tomorrow, * In English in the orig

to

convene them for a conference with me

inal,

1468 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ] H e asked m e to call o n h i m i n London next week, i f we don’t

see each other before that. Above a l l I should try t o get m y concession.

And other advice of that sort. I s a i d : “ I want t o know right n o w what I a m at. Whether you will

make the subscription for me or n o t . I f need be I shall make it myself. I f I was able to obtain the country ( I hadn't quite yet), I

shall certainly be able t o raise the money.” H e seemed convinced of i t . “Besides,” I said, “that is chicken-feed: 5 million pounds for such a big undertaking.” H e promised m e that once I had got that far h e would write to

Jacob Schiff i n New York and do everything possible. I yelled a t h i m so loudly that when I left an hour and a quarter later the three servants i n the hall were trembling when they handed m e m y coat and umbrella. ¥*

*

¥*

O n the slip which is appended here I sketched the plan of action for him. H e advised me not t o tell the I.C.A. about Pelusium for the time being. For that I would get the money i n Manchester afterwards.

April 17, Paris Dear Lord Rothschi ld:

Don’t you think that a meeting with Baron Alphonse would be more important than a conference w i t h the I1.C.A. people? I would like t o clarify t w o things:

1) That I don’t w a n t a financial contribution t o the cause from the Paris House of Rothschild either, b u t only moral support.

2) That I d o n ’ t presume upon the I.C.A. t o give money for any thing 4 fonds perdu [outright], b u t only want i t t o participate in productiveinv estments for a great Jewish colony for which I have

created the necessary polit ical basis.

T H E COMPL ETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1469 I f you think i t is a good idea t o bring me together w i t h Baron Alphonse, I shall be a t your disposal and his a t any time u p t o and including Monday. I shall probably n o t leave for London until Tuesday. Respectfully yours, Herzl.

April 18, Paris

Yesterday the reply from Lord Rothschild, saying he thought i t better i f I conferred only with the I.C.A. now. I n the evening a letter from Zadoc Kahn: Baron Alphonse had asked h i m t o discuss the m a t t e r with me. I should call o n him.

April 1 9 , Paris Result of yesterday's rather lengthy conversation w i t h Zadoc Kahn. He will arrange for me t o m e e t with the I.C.A. members with whom I am not yet acquainted. The 1.C.A. w i l l examine my proposals, since for the first time they contain something practica l.

April 20, Paris ; Went t o see my “irreducib le” opponent Salomon Reinach yesteray. “Puisque nous nous combattons, i l faut bien que nous nous connaissions [Since we are fighting each other, we should really know each other],” I said; and i n this tone of badinage [banter] I continued the causerie [chat] which made h i m more and more favorably disposed towar d me. I n the end he wante d t o keep me there for dinner , a n d when I was unable t o stay becaus e o f A l e x , h e Joined Alex and me a t the restau rant. I f Alex had n o t irritat ed

1470 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL h i m again, I think I would have put a ring through his nose and dragged h i m t o the Université populaire [University Extension),

where Nordau was giving a lecture.

April 20, Paris T o C o l . Goldsmid, C a i r o :*

M y dear Col. Goldsmid, many thanks for your very interesting log-book and kind letters. I n reply t o your remark page 6 (April 1 0 ) . “ I t 1s a matter for consideration” etc.: You can, i f such alteration is demanded b y the Government have

the concession made o u t “ t o Dr. T h . Herzl. Président d u conseil de surveillance d u [Chairman o f the Council o f the] Jewish Colonial

Trust L d . London.” And kindly observe: conseil de surveillance, n o t conseil d’administration [Board of Directors]. I am n o t a financial man. I should prefer i t t o be given t o Dr. H., President du Comite d'action du mouvement sionniste [Chairman of the Actions Committee of the Zionist Movement] .

Only as they probably would n o t like

to

raise on this occasion

certain political questions relative t o the boundary line, i t is preferable t o put there only my name. I hope to go soon to London and to see Mrs. Goldsmid.

With kindest regards, my dear Colonel, I am yours sincerely He rzl.

April 23, Londo n Dea r Lord Roth schi ld:

Please find enclosed the report of the hydraulic engineer. The reports of the other engineers and agricultural experts deal with ®

Origin al text.

HER ZL 1471 THE COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O R you other aspects of the probl em. Stephens’ repo rt will also give 1nto an idea, althou gh i t treats o n l y o f the water quest ions and goes

greater detail on Pelusium than on E l Arish . This report isn’t known t o anybod y yet. I a m entrus ting i t to you alone and request that you return i t tomorr ow. oo

Faithfully yours, Herzl.

April 23, London When I arrived Wolffsohn told m e h e had found out that Greenberghad taken about £1,000 from the Colonial Trust i n uncovered

checks. This explains everything. I f the concession had been i n his name, everything would have t o be made good. The wrong-doing of this man is counterbalanced only by his splendid achievements. I shall act as if I didn’t know anything.

When the project is a success, he will be paid off and removed. LJ

*

*

Was at Rothschild’s yesterday. He reported that he had written to Zadoc Kahn: i f the b i l l *

needed by the I.C.A. is t o be passed by the House of Lords, Zadoc should write Lord Morley that the 1.C.A. is hand in glove* with Dr. Herzl. Furthermore: Alphonse R. had vigorously declined t o collaborate with us, because this was a political matte r (Alphonse had guessed that)!

Edm ond R., o n the othe r hand , was delig hted with

H e (Lord R.) had also written give us a helping hand. * I n English i n the orig ina l.

to

the plan .

Jacob Schiff i n New York

to

1472 T H E C O M P L E T E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

April 23 T o Goldsmid i n Cairo: * Naseberry

Taladra Juedische London Benjamin.

T o Jofte a t Jaffa: **

How many hectares and money needed per family El-Arish valley? Consult Soskin b y wire. Telegraph reply Juedische London.

Benjamin. %*

%*

*

I need these data for the I.C.A. I also asked Stephens for project figures for El-Arish yesterday.

Apri l 23, London Answer from Cairo:

®

*

Parchment ragwool welfisches

Mcllwraithe will not b e ready until next week

Dazzling

I t w i l l not be decided

Afanismo bloater welfisches Pater

until—arrives Sir W . Garstin next week.

Origin al text.

** I n French i n the original.

T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1473 April 24, London

With Chamberlain yesterday noon. He received me amiably, like an old acquaintance. H e struck me as having grown a great deal older and more care-worn, though still mentally alert. “Since we last met, I have seen quite a b i t o f the world,” h e

began. And in a m o m e n t we had got down t o cases. “I spoke with Lord Cromer about your project when I was i n

Egypt. What have you done?” I told him, and referred t o the Commission's report which I had sent h i m the day before and which was i n front o f h i m .

“That is n o t a favorable report,” he said. “Well,” I said, “ i t is a very poor country; b u t we w i l l make something o u t of i t . ” “ I have seen a land for you o n m y travels,” said the great Chamberlain, “and that’s Uganda. It’s hot o n the coast, b u t farther inland the c l i m a t e becomes excellent, even for Europeans. Y o u can raise sugar and cotton there. A n d I thought t o myself, that would

be a land for Dr. Herzl. B u t of course he wants t o go only t o Palestine or its vicinity .” “Yes, I have to,” I replied. “ O u r base m u s t be i n or near Palestine. Later on we could also settle in Uganda, for we have masses of people ready to emigrate. B u t we have to b u i l d o n a national foun-

dation, and this is why we must have the political attraction offered by El-Arish. But they don’t understand that in Egypt. I t is true that I wasn’t able t o make myself as plain there as I was here. “There I was obliged t o ask for a totally inadequate concession— in view of the political situation— and i t only looks like a financial concession. As a land speculation i t would be a bad deal. N o one would give money for such a country. N o one b u t ourselves—beCause we have underlyi ng political motives. I t should be clearly understood that we shall n o t place ourselves under Egyptian rule,

but under British rule .” He: “ I feel t h a t things are likely t o remain as they are. We shall

1474 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

not leave Egypt.* Originally that was our intention. I am able t g tell you this, for I was i n the government. W e planned t o pull out o f Egypt again i n the eighties. B u t we have had to invest so much money a n d n o w have so m a n y interests there t h a t w e can n o longer

get out. Thus you and your settlement w i l l share the fortunes of that British possession. Should a different solution ever turn up,

and i f your colony is strong enough, I am sure you will assert yourself appropriately.” W e spoke about this and that. “ I n Asia Minor,” Chamberlain said, “ w e have fewer and fewer

interests. Some day there will be a showdown over that region between France, Germany, and Russia—whereas we are increasingly

drawn t o more distant points. I am wondering, i n such a case, what would be the fate of your Jewish colony in Palestine, supposing you have succeeded in establishing i t in the meantime?”’ I said: “ I believe that then our chances would be even better. For we shall be used as a small buffer-state.* We shall get i t not

from the goodwill, but from the jealousy of the powers!* And once we are a t El-Arish under the Union Jack,* then Palestine too will fall into the British sphere of influence.” * That seemed to make quite a bit o f sense to h i m .

I spoke next about raising the money (through the 1.C.A. and

Rothschild). True, with 5 million pounds we couldn’t go very far in that desert. The country would have t o be made attractive, and then he, Joe Ch., would get credit for providing England with another colony. His reaction to this, too, was not unfriendly. H e said we would

have t o have Rothschild with us i n any event, for the English government counted on him. “ W e have h i m , ” I said. “ O f course, I could also d o i t without him. T h e main thing is that I finally get the concession, otherwise

I cannot go ahead. Man’s life is short.* * I n English in the origina l.

THE COMPL ETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1475 We also discussed the Jewish immigrat ion. H e said that the opposition t o aliens* was merely the effect of competitio n.* T h e same thing could be observed i n other parts of the Empire against other ethnic groups subject t o England, e.g. i n South Africa. I think he mentioned Indians who were being resisted i n South Africa. Similarly, the government i n England might suddenly be faced with the necessity of passing an Alien B i l l * against the Jews, because popular pression** might be brought t o bear o n the government. “If you allow me to say so, Mr. Chamberlain, I should prefer for England’s glory that you do not make such a B i l l . Drain them elsewhere, but don’t make an Alien B i l l . ”* I n conclusion h e promised m e that h e would speak w i t h Lans-

downe, so that pressure might be brought t o bear o n Cromer t o expedite matters. He accompanied me as far as the door, and helped me into m y

overcoat.

%

¥*

%*

I n the afternoon I w e n t to see Lansdowne. Good recep tion, futile

conversation.

I presented (in English) ever ythin g I had in mind , left the repo rt and the draf t of the Commission with h i m for stud y, and also spoke about the I.C .A. bil l.* A t this poin t a remarkable thin g happened: he asked me t o give him a memorandum about the I.C. A. b i l l * whi ch he said he wou ld turn over t o his friend Lor d Morley

(on whom the bill * depends). Cowen, Greenberg, and Zangwill danced with joy when I

brought the m the news tha t I was com mis sion ed to han d i n a n aut

horitative me mo ran dum abo ut the b i l l * of the 1.C.A.

Zangwil] and Greenberg are go

ing to dra w it

up.

: y dEnglish i n the origin al.

ranslator’s Not e: I n Eng lish i n the orig ina l. Her z] obv ious ly

mea nt “pre ssu re.”

1476 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL Apr il 25, London

Rothschild thought the memorandum by Zangwill and Green. berg excellent. But he said I shouldn’t tell the I.C.A. people about it.

April 25, before my departure Dear Lord Rothschild: This 1s roughly how I imagine the letter t o Mr. Hallgarten of Frankfurt (Charles Hallgarten, I think) which I asked you to

write yesterday: You have heard about his philanthropic and pro-Jewish ac tivities. Therefore bespeak his warmest support i n the I.C.A. of my project with which he w i l l become acquainted. M y project, to be sure, does n o t require a donation, b u t a sensible, productive capital investment which will n o t be lost. The letter should be addressed—today, i f possible—to Grand Rabbi Zadoc Kahn, 1 7 T. St. Georges. I n view of the respect which everybody has for you this letter will doubtless produce an effect. I will let you know the results. M y address i n Paris w i l l be Hotel Chatham, r . Daunou.

Respectfully yours, Herzl.

April 27, Paris Yesterday morning I spoke with Philippson of Brussels, and in the evening, until midnight a t Reinach’s, with Claude Montefiore, Alfred Cohen, and Lousada. Iterum atque iterum [Again and again] the same arguments, refuted i n the same way.

R H E R Z L 1477 THE COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O b u t app aren tly they d o n ’ t The y seem ame nab le t o Pelu sium ,

of five, want t o contribute three milli on pounds towards a total but only one towards two.

April 2 7 Dear Lord Roths child:

I have spoken with five of the I.C.A. people and let them read Stephens’ report. Their reaction was favorable, but they are making reservations. They don’t w a n t t o give three million pounds, but, as I gathered from a remark made by Philippson (Brussels), only one million. Also, they want to confine themselves t o Pelusium, because Ste-

phens mentions, among other things, that a similar piece of land near Abukir yielded about 16 per cent net profit after a few years.

Financially speaking, Pelusium is the raisin in the cake, while El Arish is much more valuable t o me politically . I need colonization i n E l Arish because i t can be started a t once, because I shall be alleviating a piece of misery, and because I can inspire the masses with i t . Then, too, i t is the beginn ing o f a divers ion b y

means of which we may forestall the Alien B i l l . * N o w as before I consider this Alien B i l l * as one of the greatest mora l losse s that we are threatened wit h. |

Now I ask you, Lord Rothschild: shall I agree t o I.C.A . par-

ticipation with a smaller amo unt and restricte

oy

that we would then have t o raise approx ima

million pounds by pub lic subscription?

Your immediate reply will still reach m e h e r ?

Vienna on Wednesday evening.

ri per.

L

.

* I n English in the

nt oeyou LCrA. B?i l han

1'his bill i s i n

original.

E

2.

Sl

100

1478 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

House of Lords that could decide such a question differently from what Lord Rothschild proposes t o it. I f you will just say a few words o n this btll,* i n the spirit of the memorandum which I transmitted, after you approved of it, to

Lord Lansdowne for Lord Morley, then matters w i l l be i n order. Following your advice I didn’t tell the I.C.A. people anything about the memorandum for Lansdowne. I t w i l l also be well i f your statement o n the b : l l * does n o t get o u t beforehand. With cordial regards,

Gratefully yours, Herzl.

Enclosure: the Lansdowne memorandum.

April 27 I a m instructing Cowen to work out a memorandum for the

I.C.A. and the subscription together with Stephens, Zangwill, Greenberg, and Kessler.

April 29, Paris Following my conversation yesterday with the hidebound peda n t Councillor-of-Justice Lachmann of Berlin and of the I.C.A., in which I demanded a clear answer from h i m as

to

whether the

I . C . A . according to its constitution could give us the money and got n o definite N o from h i m , I told Nordau a n d Alex a t lunch:

“ I regard the game against the I.C.A. as won.”

Quelle cour de miracles [What a court of miracles] this administrat ive boar d of the I.C.A . is!

And the fate of a poor people is t o depend on that. ®

I n Engli sh i n the origin al.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES OF THEOD OR HERZL 1479 April 29, Paris Dear Lord Roth schil d:

Many thanks for your wire of yesterday and today’s letter with the enclosure for Hallgart en. Hallgarten is i n New York. I shall forward the letter t o h i m the quickest way. I shall follow your advice and take from the I.C.A. what i t gives; b u tI feel that we should n o t take any less than one million. However, I consider i t sensible n o t to l e t the people know for

the time being that we shall accept less than three million pounds too. Anyway, they w i l l n o t make a decision until their n e x t meeting on June 4th. I am now working o u t a memorandum for the gentlemen, and as soon as i t 1s finished, I shall send you, Milord, a copy o f each sec-

tion—about the middle of May. Tonight I a m leaving for Vienna (Haizingergasse 29, Wihring).

With kindest regards, Respectfully yours, Herzl.

M a y 1 , Vienna Wire from Golds mid, Cairo: *

rundblume Bloater School mamede

I have had a n interview w i t h Sir W . Garstin Sir Eldon Gorst conside ring the matter

recuada

nothing sufficiently definite t o report

Pater

Golds mid.

* Original text.

1480 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ]

May g, Vienna Wire t o Goldsmid: *

galleine readmitias

Go ahead all you can You can rely upon

Brown Schneider hactenus

Chamberlain Lansdowne Please hasten

hafertanz

I (we) have

Window

British Govt.

May 5, Vienna Goldsmid’s reply: * tagarnina Pater

Telegram t o hand, and i t has every attention Goldsmid.

May 6, Vienna, evening B a d news from G o l d s m i d : *

®

Bloater ruodlieb

Sir W . Garstin h e is opposed to us

ehering fivefold Fireman watermos Rumvet palmearon

(he gives) estimate 4,045 cubic meters Stephens supplying water Pelusium plain further particular by first post

Pater

Goldsm id.

Origina l text.

D O R HE RZ L 1481 THE CO MP LET E DIA RIE S O F T H E O May 6, even ing To Goldsmid: *

paysage rundbild

Is i t possible our applica tion for a concession

abocetado

not

Bloaters

Garstins

offixi

Oppositi on

talagarsa taloneros Brown knodland Benjamin

Telegraph immediately Telegraph what I a m to d o with Chamberlain H e 1s favorable, inclined to assist us.

accepted in consequence of

May #7, a t night, Vienna

Even worsenews from Goldsmid: *

Bauer abbasso

Lord Crom er recommends abandonment

abbattere Pater

have protested against abandonm ent Goldsmid. %

%

%

From Greenbergin Ca rdi ff: *

Am sending you from London most imp

ortant commu

nication and beg you Immediately t o cable Pa ter no t to pus h o n wit h present Regotiations pending receipt by you of m y let ter let h i m delay things ti ll then,

Or ig in al

text.

Iss ach ar.

1482 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

May 8, morn ing, Vienna T o Goldsmid.*

Desdemona Wagring Benjamin

D o nothing wait till you receive my instructions.

*

*

*

T o Greenberg-Cowen:* Significatio London. laughable

Garstin opposed. Negotiations stand bad. W e have no time to lose. You m u s t wire me a t once your news. Letters are too slow. I f we interrupt now we risk t o lose Courtier and Cigar. Benja min. 3%

*

*

T o Stephens Newick, Sussex: * Garstin opposed. Estimate 4,045 cubic meters supplying. Kindly

wire

at

once Benjamin Wien your views. What should we do?

Which is the smallest amount we could accept? Ben jam in.

M a y 8, Vienna

Stephens replies: *

“Think would pay financially t o cultivate down t o one third of estimate reducing water supply page 36 accordingly. ” ®

Original text.

Z L 1483 THE COM PLE TE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R May 8 From Gold smid a t C a i r o :

*

Yes

I n the absence of water Pelusium plain Cromer consider our application for concession success very doubtful Egyptian ministers Reply expected by about beginning of next week with regard to Chamberlain wait m y letter of 6th may 8th may Goldsmid.

abgekniet water boon Rumv at Bauer choer iti rundbild snobbish rundblik

recopiait welche

ratapoil Brown laonde manalgie

manamina Pater

May 8, evening, Vienna T o Cowen : *

Chisel will decide begin of next week. Decision expected t o be unfavourable, therefore Brown's interventio n indispensable a t once.

Benjamin. May 8, evening I n reply to Greenberg's wire i n which he says that nothin g was known t o the Forei gn Office and that his telegram had referr ed to Will coc ks’ p l a n :

* Original text.

*

1484 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

I know Willcocks and his scheme perfectly, nothing for us. Pater wired me reason of G’s opposition estimate 4045 cubic meters supplying water. But of Pater’s former communications I clearly understand that i t is only a question of goodwill.

We ask only for the superfluous. Chisel can do i t easily if willing, Now you must see Brown i f possible tomorrow and explain him the necessity of his immediate intervention. Chisel will probably take formal decision begin of next week. Afterwards i t would be too late and all the gained ground Courtier Cigar lost. Benjamin.

May g, Vienna T o Cowen:

*

Issachar has again other plans. I lunched with Willcocks and know his unpracticable scheme. You know I refused Cohn'’s proposition and as I ascertained Brown has n o interest i n it. Please secure immediate execution of m y instructions by Issachar. H e has now the idea of withdrawing Pater. I shall certainly not do that. Every delay would be fatal. Cigar would escape and perhaps Courtier too. I f Issachar is n o t w i l l i n g t o fulfil m y instructions concerning Brown I expect from his sincerity t o let me know i t at once. Benj amin . %

*

%

For o n top of all the difficulties there is the additional one that Greenberg wants to get something—probably money—for him-

self. From Wolffsohn I learned that G. took unauthorized credits of £500 t o £1,000 from the J.C. Trust. Since the action was not ¢

Origin al text.

T H E COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1485 above-board, Wolffsohn and Cowen examined G’s books and found that he was deeply i n debt, about £10,000 which h e cannot pay.

T o h i m our schemes seem t o be the straw the drowning man clutches at. And I c a n n o t depend on his statements. Considering the importance of his function as an intermediary, this difficulty is downright enormous. %*

*

*

May 1 0 , Vienna

T o Goldsmid: * Fireman accongesto rapsaret cultivating dracenois rumvat watermos abritant

Stephens advice from—states I can make some reductions —_———

334% Pelusium plain supplying water according t o circumstances

dracenois

334%

galleine readmities Brown rukwind smerelli talgbrot Benjamin.

Go ahead all you can You can rely upon Chambe rlain ‘Take the best you can get whatever i t Subject t o confirmati on b y wire Telegra ph me fully

May 1 1 , evening, Vienna The end of a scheme. Go lds mid telegraphs: * ®

Original text.

1486 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

Lord Cromer has informed Goldsmid Egyptian government refuses

Bauer imbriglia Pater Chisel raspatoir altogether Tecouverts chaldaic bildwort Augenweh sbaglio Pater

reply expected any m o m e n t shall I come Vienna Austrian Lloyd next Saturday Goldsmid.

What has happened there I presumably won't learn until later. D i d Goldsmid blunder, o r did h e think o f himself? Nous verrons t o u t cela [ W e shall see a l l that].

First of all, I forwarded the wire t o London, for Zangwill, Greenberg, and Cowen. I believe that even Chamberlain can’t do anything further now. I t 1s simply all over.

May 1 1 Reply t o Goldsmid: * your telegram t o hand do n o t come here before next Saturday I will try what can be done

tahapanes halieto sbaglio thesicle Benjamin. *

*

*

T o Ch. Hallgarten , Frankfurt, a.M.: Dear Mr. Hallga rten:

I n the enclosed letter Lord Rothschild tries t o interest you in a plan that we should l i k e t o carry o u t for the benefit o f o u r sorely

suffering fellow Jews. ®

Origina l text.

F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1487 TH E CO MP LE TE DIA RIE S O Association, i n wh ich you I hope that the Jewish Col oni zat ion itse lf be persuaded to join have such an imp orta nt voice, wil l let in the good work.

n gov ernm ent are com As soon as neg otia tion s w i t h the Egy ptia

of the I.C. A. abo ut pleted, I shall info rm you and you r colleagues ndu m. everything necessary in a deta iled mem ora Very respe ctfully yours, Th. Herz l. May 1 2 , evening, Vienn a Superfluously enough, Golds mid reports once more: * narigona ecarteler sbaglio Pater

Negotia tions have fallen through embark next Saturday Goldsmid. May 13, Vienna

Letter from Goldsmid, dated May 6. T h e explanation: Sir William Garstin has declared that we would need five times as much water as Stephens stated; also, the laying of the siphons would involve tying u p traffic in the Suez Canal for several weeks.

In the fruitful morning hours of yesterday and today I made the new plan which is necessary after the miscarrying of this scheme. I started o u t from Chamberlain's Uganda suggestion—and hit upon Mozambique. I will try t o get this inactive land for a Chartered Company from the Portuguese government, which needs money, by promisin g to meet the deficit and to pay a tribute later. However, I w a n t t o acquire Mozambique only as an object of barter I n order t o get for i t from the English government the entire Sinai Peninsula w i t h N i l e water summ er and winter , and Possibly Cyprus as well— and for nothi ng! |

* Original text.

1488 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL M a y 13, Vienna

I also suspected Goldsmid of acting, more than was proper, his o w n boss of the concession. I found a trace o f this i n his suggestion

that the administrator of the colony (by which he evidently meant himself) should also be appointed governor b y the government. I n the report that arrived today there is another trace! Namely, his writing t o Sir Eldon Gorst that he had t o supply information in reply t o urgent cablegrams from London and Vienna. From London? Who sent him a cablegram from there? C’est donc p o u r se donner u n e contenance [So i t is to make him-

self look important].

Book Sixteen Begun i n Vienna o n March

14, 1903

M a y 14, V i e n n a

T o Gold smid : *

Come as quickly as possible.

Chalicore Vienna Benjamin.

M a y 16, V i e n n a

I thought the Sinai plan was such a sure thing that I n o longer wanted to buy a family vault i n the D6bling cemetery, where m y

father is provisionally laid t o r e s t . N o w I consider the affair so wrecked that I have already been to the district court and a m ac-

quiring vault No. 28.

May 16 I was i n doubt as t o whether t o start the Mozambique scheme through Nordau i n Lisbon or here directly with the Portuguese ambassador. Decided o n the latter, because Nordau'’s skepticism would settle like a blight o n this germ o f a n idea. This way, to b e

sure, I shall be a t the mercy of a probably clerical hidalgo [nobleman], for they wouldn’t send any other kind t o Austria.

May 16, Vienna Letter to Joe Cowen, asking h i m to call a conference with

Stephens, Kessler, and Greenberg a t Zangwill’s place and inform them of Garstin’s report. Stephens, for his part, is t o write me a letter I can show around (for Chambe rlain and Lansdow ne).

All conferees are t o keep silent, includin g Greenberg, vis-a-vis

Rothschild.

Greenberg is t o request Chamberlain’s help for acquiri ng part of Itimmediately. |

* Origin al text.

1491

1492 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ] May 1%, Vienna

Letter from Sir Eric Barrington, dated May g (forwarded five days late by Greenberg), re I.C.A. Bull.* I am answering Lansdowne under date of May 18.** M y Lord,

allow me t o thank your Lordship for the communication you sent m e through Sir Eric Barrington with reference t o the Bill

of the Jewish Colonisation Association. I think, there should be a clear understanding that the money of the Hirsch bequest is n o t going t o be used t o keep Jews in Russia e t c . under the pretext of fitting them for Colonisation elsewhere. Hirsch’s idea was t o take the people o u t , a n d the money

be used t o keep them i n . O n the other hand i t is quite clear from the failure of the Argentine colonies that the way to take them o u t is n o t b y the creation of small colonies which would, and do, form no attraction. That can only be gained by broad and big schemes which recognize the national sentiment of the Jewish people; and therefore t o fulfil Baron Hirsch’s intentions the Bill should provide for such a scheme. I have the honour t o remain. must n o t

Your Lordship’s most humble and obedient servant Th . Herzl.

M a y 19, Vienna

The local Portuguese Ambassador told Hechler, whom I had asked to get m e a n appointment w i t h h i m , that I should have

Rothschild present me t o h i m (the Ambassador). T o do this, i t would first be necessary for the Portuguese Ambassador t o introduce m e to H i s Baronial Grace. I a m writi ng to Koer ber: ®

I n English i n the origin al. Origin al text.

®¢

THE COMPLETE DIARI ES O F T H E O D O R HERZ L 1493 Your Excellency:

As you know, I am a sort of poor man’s lawyer for unfortunate Jews, and as such I am quite busy. I a m n o w occupying myself with a case of poor Jews i n which I am t o intervene with the Portuguese government, and for this reason I should like to speak with the

local Portuguese ambassador. This gentleman probably doesn’t know me n i d’Adam n i d’Eve

[from Adam], and i f i t isn’t too much trouble for you, I would like to ask you for a few lines of

introduction. Let me take this opportun ity t o say that I have been following the well-deserved successes of your government from a distance and with sincere interest, and am glad t o have seen things correc tly back at the time I predicted that you would be i n powe r for a long time.

With sincere respect, I a m

Your Excellency’s very obedient servant, Th. Herz l.

May 1 9 , 1 9 0 3 *

*

*

To Plehwe:

Your Excellency:

My name may perhaps be know n t o Your Excellency as tha t of the leader of the Zionist m ovement. The deplorable events a t Ki shinev force the Pen in to m y hand— but no t to bemoan wh at is irr

evocable. I hear from reljabje sources that hold of the Jews i n R ussia. T he y feel

1494 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R ] teen-year-old children, who don’t even understand the revolutjgy,. ary madness preached t o them, are letting themselves be deludedby theories of violence. I n past years i t has been the great achievement of the Zionist movement t o have given all these unfortunates a higher ideal that comforted and reassured them. T h i s cannot have escaped Your

Excellency’s notice. N o w I a m informed b y very earnest people that there is a way

of calming the desperate mood of our poor people a t once—and this would be the granting of an audience t o me by H . M . the Czar. This fact alone would have an immediate soothing effect, even if not a word about the course o f the conversation should be made

known. I am used t o justifying such confidence; proof of this 1s the fact that the substance of my repeated conversations with His Majesty the German Kaiser and with the Sultan has never reached the public. I could use the occasion of m y audience, i f one were granted me, t o give the government of H i s Majesty the Czar all desired informa-

tion about our movement and t o request its future aid. Years ago I described the aims of our Zionist movement to the Czar in a memorandum written i n French which H.R.H. the Grand Duke of Baden was gracious enough t o transmit, and I re ceived Imperia l thanks for it. T h e Grand Dukes of Baden and Hesse, w i t h whom I have the

honor t o be personally acquainted, as well as a Russian Grand Duke, were also kind enough, years ago, t o intercede with His Majesty o n behalf of m y reception. Chance obstacle always inter:

fered; on one occasion, a t Darmstadt, i t was the Czar’s indispost tion.

B u t now the occasion is so grave, and I believe that I can make, o n behalf of the Russian government, a contribution so important for calming inflamed passions, that I herewith request a n audienc thro ugh offic ial chan nels .

I f my request is granted, may I ask that the laissez-passer [pass]

1495 OF T H E O D O R H E R Z L THE COMPLETE DI AR IE S dly sent to me dir ect ly, o r tha t whichI need for the trip be mo st kin al Russian Embassy t o 1ss ue telegraphic orders be given t o the loc ve this week. me one.I f need be, I am ready t o lea expression of m y deep Begging Your Excellency t o accept the |

respect, I a m

Faith fully yours, T h . Herz l. ¥%

%*

%*

Letter to Pobedo nostsev :

Your Excellency: I am taking the liberty of enclosing for Your Excellency a copy of a letter which I sent off today to Minister von Plehwe, with the request that you support m y application.

May I explain what emboldens me t o make this request. I once spoke with a well-known writer about the bleak situation of the Jews in Russia, and mentioned the prevalent view that i t was your fault. T o this my friend said: “Let me tell you a story. A tew years ago I was in Marienbad (or did he say Carlsbad?) and went walking on forest paths. O n a deserted path I passed a wretched-looking beggar woman of pronouncedly Jewish type. Hardly was I a few steps past her when— whom should I meet?

Pobedonostsev! I let him pass and then turned around, because I wanted to see how the notorious Jew-hater would behave t o the Jewish beggar woman. But how great was m y astonishm

ent whe n I

a him stop i n front of her, reach i n t o his pock et, and give her a

n.

riva l p n

Your Excellency no longer remembers this infin itely

beli eveim, that was whe r 0 e. n n o e Semit Russia n, secs

o h a ll Russ E a n ianoantiofhcia e X € n are u p aga inst one of the mo st com Plicated problems of gover nmen t, and they woul d b iti !

Ji

f i t could be solved with out cruelty.

’

prob ably pref er

14996 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ],

Should my request for an audience be granted, may I even now request the honor of being received b y Your Excellency.

Begging Your Excellency, etc.

May 2g, Vienna Bertha v o n Suttner, w h o m I have asked for assistance, 1s writing

the following letter t o the Czar which I shall have s e n t off sealed by Ambassador Kapnist: * Your Majesty:

Some Jewish subjects in Y.M.’s Empire have requested the head of the Zionist Movement—Dr. Theodor Herzl—to beg an audience with their puissant Sovereign. Such an audience would bring hope and peace t o restore a people driven wild with terror. Mr. Herzl had previously been recommended, through the intercession of the Grand Dukes of Baden and Hesse, for the favor of

being granted an audience, without having been able t o obtain it. Now he has requested i t through official channels, addressing himself to Messrs. von Plehwe and Pobedonostsev, w h o would themselves probably be glad to see that a l i t t l e calm could be reborn

among the desperate. One does n o t leave 4 million wretched people in fear of being assassinated. B u t for the audience to become a reality, a sign from Y . M . would

be required, and for Y.M. t o give that sign, some confidence in the person of the petitioner would be necessary. For many years I have been a friend o f his; I saw h i m a t work

in 1899 a t The Hague, performing services for the Peace Conterence—services t h a t were recognized b y Messrs. v o n Staal and von

Bloch; I esteem him as an outstanding writer and a courageous champion of all humanitarian movements. The sovereigns of Germany and Turkey have had long conversations with him. But now, i f he were received b y the Emperor o f Russia, h e would be able to promote the peace of the Empire and of mankind. ®

I n French i n the original .

THE COMPLETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1497 And who am I t o dare t o convey this request t o the foot of your throne in my own voice? Your Majesty knows, I believe, that I a m only a simple servant of that sublime 1deal o f w h i c h Y . M . most powerful Champion i n the world, the 1deal o f Peace.

is

the

And i t is by appealing t o this ideal, b y remembering that the Czar is n o t only the lord and father of his subjects, but—better than that: the apostle of a universal cause, that I have found the courage t o write these lines i n the hope m y request will b e under-

stood and granted. With the deepest respect,

Your Majesty’s humble admirer Baroness Bertha Suttner . Harmannsdorf Castle, May

22, 1903

Covering letter from Mme . Suttn er to Coun t Kapn ist: *

My Dear Ambassador: The letter herewith enclosed contains the offe r of a great service that someone wishes t o ren der t o the Russian gov ern men t. This person (it is n o t I , b u t I vou ch for his inte grit y) has ma de the condition that the matter be commu nicated dire ctly and und er sealed orders to H.M. the Em pe ror . Iremain, Your Excellency,

Mo st res pec tful ly yours, Baroness B . von Su ttn er.

heKo s erber wr ite s me today that

May 23, Vienna

he has gi ve

n me an in tro du ct io n Oftuguese ambassador, to Co un t de Paraty, di re ct ly . AM now w rit in g t o C ou nt Paraty: *

* In French i n th

e or ig in al .

1

1498 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL Dear Minister:

H . E . Prime Minister von Koerber has had the kindness to introducemetoY.E. Will you d o m e the honor o f receiving m e one of these days?

Please accept the expression of m y high regard. Dr. Theodor Herzl. %*

*

*

A n d t o Koerber, thanks for h i s kindness.

M a y 23, Vienna

From Greenberg a long, good report about his conversation with Chamberlain on the 2 0 t h of May. Chamberlain is offering us an area for colonization large enough for a million souls, with local self-government.* N o t i n Uganda, but i n that vicinity. I am telegraphing t o Greenberg: **

Having Paters report, who left yesterday for London, I consider Cork impossible for next years. W e must take therefore Browns proposition into serious consideration, provided i t is really advantageous. I agree with your letter page six from first t o fourth line. I beg you therefore t o ask him a t once for details. I f his proposal is suitable, I should like t o have ready the outlines, instead of Cork, for Cigars meeting seventh of June, which had t o decide upon now abandoned matter. M a y 26, Vienna Yesterday I w e n t to see the Portuguese ambassador, Count

Paraty. A shabby-looking, feeble man of some go years, whose first attempts a t acting aristocratic I beat down b y m y nonchalance. I explained matters t o h i m and asked h i m t o inquire of his gov®

I n English i n the original. Original text.

®®

T H E O D O R HE RZ L 1499 THE CO MP LE TE DIA RIE S O F Cha rter for a n ade qua te ernment whether i t was will ing to give us a h e ask ed m e t o wri te suc h territory. Bein g lazy, like all dipl oma ts, sed t o writ e t o the Min iste r for 1 letter for him . How eve r, I refu a priv ate note sett ing Colonies and the Nav y. I was will ing to writ e

forth my wishes, and the question préalable [prelimin

ary ques-

and yet an tion]. He mentioned his son-in-law, who was a colo nial g artillery officer. Showed me the pictu re of the dissipated-lookin

youngman.

Then he apologized for n o t having received me upon Hechle r's introduction. Now he would be able to write his govern ment that he met me through the Austrian Prime Ministe r. Iam now writing him: * My Dear Count:

As I had the honor

to

tell you yesterday, the preliminary ques-

tion to submit t o the Minister is the following: Is there a territory sufficiently habitable and cultivable b y Europeans? The settlement would embrace a t least fifty thousand families. As for your son-in-law, i f you would b e good enough to get h i m

interested in our affairs, this is what I would permit myself

to

ask of him: that he send you, o r directly to me, the reports o f the

last general meetings of all the colonia l companies. ~ He would be able t o obtain the complete collect ion a t the Ministry of Finance. The study of these reports would give us some useful indications about the agricu ltural , indus trial, and comm ercial possibilities of systematic colon izatio n o n a large scale i n these

countries. Pray accept the assurance of m y hig h rega rd.

Herz l.

May 26, Vien na

Today, I n the frui tful mo rnin g hou rs, i t occ urre d to m e : per hap s

a Tru st o t

all the Portuguese lan d companies tha t seem t o have

* I n French i n the or igi

na l.

1500 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL failed could be established. They would b e glad to give u p their bad shares i n return for the shares o f a b i g land company. Paraty told m e the Cie de Mozambique [Mozambique Co.] was almost a u t o n o m o u s , had protective troops, e t c . Perhaps I could obtain options and then get N i l e water and Cyprus for these.

May go, Vienna N o w I have t o swallow the bitter p i l l and cancel the I1.C.A. T o Zadoc Kahn, dated July 3: M y Dear Grand Rabbi:

When I had the pleasure, a month ago, of speaking with you and your colleagues of the I.C.A,, I informed you that for your next meeting I would supply all the material that you would need to reach a decision about your participation in colonization on the Sinai Peninsula. T h e reports of our Commission, etc. actually were completed

and ready for me t o send off—when a development arose which made their despatch pointless for the time being. W e had already received oral and written assurances from the government. Our plan had been approved i n principle. Then, a t t h e last moment, t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f P u b l i c

Works de-

clared that they could not let us have the amount of N i l e water we need for a sound implementatio n of the plan. Under these circumstances w e have t o abandon the whole scheme for the time being. This is all the more painful to me, and probably t o all of you as well, because the Kishinev riots have once again demonstrated how great the distress i n the East is.

I am trusting my whole communication of today t o your discretion and I ask you t o inform only the members of the I.C.A.’s board of directors of i t on a strictly confide ntial basis.

Respectfully yours, Herzl.

THE COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1501 May 3 0 Strictly confidential * Dear Lord Roth schil d:

My whole Sinai plan has broken down. Everything was ready. I t now depended simply and solely o n Sir William Garstin’s verdict as to whether we could get the N i l e water that we needed. However, after his return from Uganda Sir William questioned the

calculations of our engineer, Stephens. H e declared that we would need five times as much Nile water as Stephens had calculated, and

Egypt could n o t spare that much. With this the whole project collapsed. A great deal of time and effort as well as some money have been lost, but I am n o t discouraged. I already have another plan, and a very powerful m a n is ready t o h e l p m e . A s soon as I get t o the point where I can make a n announcement, you shall b e the first

one t o learn i t . I assume that you will w a n t t o hear about i t , and that you will continue t o be ready t o help—with which, of course, I never have a financial contribution in mind, b u t only your counsel and influence. Kindly tell me whether you have received an answer from Mr. Schiff in N e w York and whether h e is w i l l i n g t o go along with a sen-

sible, great plan for aid. When he comes t o Europe, I should like t o talk with him a t your house. Kishinev is n o t over. T h e effects are yet to come. According t o

my information, a terrible fear has taken hold of the Jews i n Russia. The immediate consequence w i l l be a new emigration movement. Where? T o America? T o England? Henry Norman and Evans Gordon have a chance to get a n A l i e n B i l l * through. Wit h sincere respect, Yours, Herzl. * I n English i n the orig inal .

1502 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ], M a y 30, Vienna

Joe told m e h e had recommended to de Haas that he suggest at the Conference of American Zionists a Congress of the Powers

for the Solution of the Jewish Question, t o be convened by Roosevelt. I thought this idea brilliant and immediately wired de Haas: *

Joe Cowens suggestion is mine. Get conference and press them t o demand a Congress. Teddy should call it. Herzl.

June 3, Vienna D e a r M r . Hallgarten:

I am sorry t o have t o inform you that the project of great immediate help for the poorest among our brethren has come to naught a t the last hour. This eliminates the necessity of submitting the very voluminous material to you. A t any rate, I thank you for the willingness which you expressed i n your friendly letter of 5/18, and remain, w i t h deep respect,

Sincerely yours, Herz l.

J u n e §, Vienn a

Telegr am t o Greenberg: * Quite agreed your suggestions Brown. G o ahead a t once. ®

Original text.

H E R Z L 1503 THE COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O R June 4, Vienna T o Izzet:

*

Your Exce llenc y:

Time passes, and I hear nothin g about m y last propos ition, dated February 16, 1 9 0 3 . But events are pressing. You have certainly heard about the

Kishinev atrocities. Our poor Jews are certainly miserable, and something must be found for them. Perhaps we could make some arrangement that would be a combination of the proposal you made me in February of 1go2 (the memorandum of February 18, 1 9 o 2 , a t Yildiz Kiosk) a t the command of your august master, and m y last proposition. That 1s, a n

arrangement for colonization i n Mesopotamia as well as i n the Sanjak of Acre. I n afew weeks our Zionist Congress will convene, and if I haven't obtained anything by then, I shall be obliged t o announce that all hope of concluding an arrangement with the govt. of H . I . M . the Sultan is gone. And we shall be obliged to find some other territory. There will be no lack of opportunit ies. Pray accept, Your Excellency, the assurance of m y high regard andmy devotion.

T h . Herzl. And I am enclosing, i n a separate envelope, the followi ng lines: * My Dear Friend: Permit me to call you that and t o speak as a frien d.

How much do you w a n t for yourself i f the scheme works out? Write me the amou nt and the way in which I should make

it

available to you o n a n unsi gne d piec e o f pap er, and p u t i t i n a

sealed envelope on which you put only my

name.

The bear er of this lette r w i l l n o t k n o w wha t i t con tain s. Y o u can

* I n French i n the ori gin

al.

1504 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL entrust your reply t o him. Everything w i l l remain absolutely secret, between you and me. I f the scheme does n o t work o u t now, I must give i t u p forever.

Your sincerely devoted friend Herz l.

J u n e 4, Vienna Confidential. Dear M . R e i n a c h : *

I regret t o inform you that the project which almost united us has run aground. We are unable t o obtain enough N i l e water. I am embarrassed t o communicate this unpleasant news t o your colleagues who, I believe, were not displeased to see a refuge

opened t o all the unfortunates with whom you are concerned. But—and this is between us—I still have a glimmer of hope; and i f my efforts are successful, I count o n you—yes, on you, my distinguished opponent—to support m y proposals on your Board. Believe m e to be, dear M . Reinach,

Very sincerely yours, Herzl.

P.S. Another thing, one of lesser importance. W e have been oftered for sale some territory i n the Valley of Jezreel. T h e seller is a Mr. Soursouk, of Beirut, I believe. I a m told that he said: “Either the I . C . A . o r the Zionists will buy this land from me.” I t would seem, then, that certain speculators want t o make a profit from what they believe to b e our rivalry. Manoeuvres of this sort are easily thwarted if w e forewarn one another. A s for me, I will inform you about this even without reciprocity. I shall let you know at what price we are offered land i n Palestine. I f you don’t

breathe a word of this t o anybody, perhaps we shall be able t o ®

I n French i n the origina l.

€x-

THE COMP LETE DIARI ES O F T H E O D O R HERZ L 1505 pose one or the other of the shamefu l speculations which you have told me ab ou t.

Mr. Soursouk asks 25 francs per dunam, which, according

to

our reports, isn’t worth more than 15 t o 18 francs. I f you wish t o buy, we shall withdraw. I f you do not, state this

plainly t o Mr. S., so that we may buy a t a better price. June 1 1 , Vienna Yesterday I w e n t t o see Paraty the Portuguese. H e still had n o answer from his government. I f I should decide to go to Lisbon, h e wants to give m e introduc-

tions t o the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Navy (Colonies).

Overnight I weighed the idea of going there. I telephoned Privy Councillor Jettel of the Foreign Ministry and told h i m that I wanted t o see h i m today. B u t an hour later I heard about the assassination of the Serbian royal couple, which means that Jettel probably has n o time today. So I missed the appointment, a t which

Iwas going t o ask h i m for introductions t o the Austrian representatives i n Madrid and Lisbon . I had called the A.C. t o m y house and acquainted them with m y new Portuguese-African plan. Kokesch raised his eyebrows and declared himself flatly opposed t o i t . Kahn was i n favor. Kremenzky saw its rightness after I had explained things, i.e., that we shall be able t o demand Palestine w i t h more force and vigor once we have a gathering place assured under public law. Marmore k accepted m y idea only insofar as i t aimed a t creating a n object o f ba rte r for Sin ai.

) I had their reaction s p u t d o w n i n a memor andum that I

shall

eep.

J u n e14

I'am giving up the trip t o Portugal for the time being. Qui trop embrasse mal étreint [Grasp all, lose all] .

1506 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL T h e English government could—in fact, would be bound to— find o u t i f I took steps i n Lisbon, and that could have undesirable

repercussions i n the Nairobi plan. First I w a n t t o have that Charter. Greenberg wires that Chamberlain has written h i m he is willing to receive a preliminary draft o f a n agreement and to propose to

the government that they consider it.

June 16 Telegram t o Greenberg: *

I f Cohns operation fails there 1s chance for sixteen. Please consult immediately Joezang about quickest steps t o be taken failure depends from haven. Decision in a few days.

Benjamin. June 1 4 , Vienna Strictly confidential Dear Lord Rothschild:

‘Today I have no time t o tell you in detail what new scheme I am working on now. You shall learn everything in time! All I will tell you now is that the key people who were willing t o help me with the matter you already know about are completely on my

side again. Today I come t o you with a very urgent matter. I have reliable

news from Constantinople to the effect that we have a n excellent chance to get a good piece of land from the Sultan i f the consolida-

tion miscarries. As everybody knows, the consolidation is counter t o British interests too. With your huge influence i n financia l circles i t w i l l probably be a trifling matter for you to keep the Syndicate of Foreign Bondholders** from giving their consent to the consolidation. ®

Origina l text.

** I n Englis h i n the origin al.

THE COMPL ETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1507 For a man of your power, Lord Rothsch ild, i t 1s a small matter,

and the help which you will be giving thereby is enormous. Please do i t righ t away!

With sincere gratitude and respect, Yours, Herzl.

June 18, Vienna Yesterday asked coal-Gutmann t o cooperate i n thwarting the consolidation. H e is t o speak with the manager of the KreditAnstalt.

June 18 Kann writes that he can get the interested parties i n Holland to side openly with England, i n order t o thwart the consolidation. I am wiring him back t o do so most speedily and forcefully.

June 18, Vienna

Yesterday I ran into the Portuguese Count Paraty o n the Graben.

He said t o me as he passed: Pas de répon se [ N o reply ]. 3

¥*

¥*

Djevdet brings me a Constantinople attorney, Adil Bey, who would also l i k e to par ticip ate . Adil Bey is said t o be of a Salonica Jewish background. A descendant of Sabbatai Zvi’s Marranos, then. Makes an overly shrewd, disagreeable impression, Nuri Bey’s 'Ype. And sure enough, he is mixed up with Crespi.

1508 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL J u n e 19, Vienn a

Telegram t o Greenberg: *

I f you c a n n o t do i t without Courtier, then leave i t alone.

Benjamin.

June 1 9 , Vienna T o the Constantinople attorney Adil Bey—:if the Charter is obtained—2,000 Turk.

pds.

Further, t o Taik Bey the Chamberlain, £2,000 too i n that case.

J u n e29 I am sending York-Steiner t o New York as manager of the Bank's branch, so that he can organize the local East E n d * * for me financially and establish a Jewish Mutual Insurance Company with which we shall them reach back t o Europe. %*

*

%

June 3 0 , Vienna T o the Cairo attorney: ** *

M y Dear Attorney Carton de Wiart:

Although I appreciate your thoughtfulness, I cannot permit a reductio n in your fee. I have given instructions to have a check for a thousand francs sent t o

you a t once, but I do not feel that this squares the account

between us, a n d I ask y o u t o b e good enough t o l e t m e k n o w the

full amount of your bill. I have asked my friends ® Original text. * * I n English i n the origina l. ®¢* I n French i n the original .

to

take advantage of your presence in

T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1509 THE CO MP LE TE DIA RIE S O F ting you r advice abo ut London by having a boa rd me etin g and get what possibilities may exist. |

Assuring you, my dear Attorney Carton de

Wia rt, of my grati-

tude and hig h regard, I am

Yours devotedly, Herz l.

July 8, Alt-Aussee T o Mme. von Korvin- Piatrov ska. Most Respected Lady:

Unfortunately I cannot give you the best of reports about our Zionist movement, in which you showed such kind interest. Our endeavors, I am sorry t o say, were n o t properly appreciated

in the very places where they ought t o be understood best. Under these circumstances i t will be difficult t o produce any major achievements.

Recently I made one attempt t o find some effective help in Russia, because I thought that those i n authority would realize b y now

how right our arguments are and that there is only this one solution of the Jewish Question. I wrote t o Messieurs von Plehwe and Pobedonostsev and asked them to arrange an audience with the Czar for me. I wanted t o

combine two things by this. The fact of the audience was t o soothe our poor, excited people a bit. w s c o r n know that our poor people are very receptive t o ympathy from the highest places. Secondly, however —and this t n merito [on its own merits ]—I hoped t o take this opso

portunity t o present t o Minister von Plehwe a plan for organized

et am f r m

T e e r and 0 request his cooperation. You

from cverything even f o e :

uld u n erstand me. I can see e contrad ictory and unreliab le news-

1510 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL paper reports, that h e i s worried a b o u t the s i t u a t i o n o f the Jews and

that he would very much l i k e to find a solution w i t h good grace.

B u t unfortunately I had word from m y valued friend Baroness Suttner, w h o i n turn has i t from Count Lamsdorff, that I shall n o t b e received b y the Czar. I n the meantime, t o b e sure, tempers have

cooled down a b i t by themselves. But as for m y other desire, t o have a thorough discussion with von Plehwe about starting emigration and getting h i m , the most

powerful man in Russia, interested in it—something that would be felt as a relief on all sides—this desire has remained. A n d yet I cannot q u i t e bring myself t o approach t h e Minister

directly once more, because he still has n o t answered m y letter of M a y 23rd. I understand, of course, that i n his position he cannot

write me immediately. Yet I am afraid of appearing indiscreet if I were t o send another letter. I now remember that you have connections with Mr. von Plehwe. I f you d o not regard i t as a n imposition, I would beg you to ask

him whether he is willing t o see me. I shall come t o St. Petersburg any time he pleases. Assuring you, dear Madam, of m y continued sincere gratitude and admiration, I am Y o u r ever devot ed Th. H.

J u l y 1 2 , Alt-Aussee

‘To Count Paraty, the Portuguese ambassador a t Vienna: * Dear Ministe r:

Thanking you for the communication dated July 8th which you did m e the honor of sending me, I would beg to observe that 1 have never had any other idea than to proceed i n accordance w i t h the laws of the Kingd om. ®

I n French in the origina l.

THE COMPL ETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1511 I believe that by word of mouth we could make our position clear both o n the condition s to b e m e t and the advantages which we would be able to offer. For this reason I shall undertake the trip

Lisbon when m y affairs permit me. This will probably be i n the month of September. I shall n o t fail t o notify you of i t i n advance. Pray accept the assurance of m y high consideration. to

H.

J u l y 1 2 , Alt-Aussee Strictly confidential.

Dear Mr. Philippson: About the first letter with which you honored me there was a strange coincidence which I didn’t immediately inform you of, because I wanted t o give the matter m y mature deliberation first. You see, after the regrettable break-down of our E l Arish-Pelusium plan I had realized that in the face of the growing distress we must nevertheless set about bringing aid o n a comprehensive scale

—if not east of the Suez Canal, then elsewhere. With full maintenance o f our Palestine program, which, t o b e sure, w e cannot i m -

mediately put into practice, and on a national basis i n any case, We

must create a place of refuge secured b y public law. O f the

various schemes that come under consideration I w i l l mention t o you only the one in which you may be able and willing t o participate: in the Con go State.

Just when I received your first letter I was weighing the idea of going t o see King Leopold. The Grand Duke of Baden, whose

friendly attention I have had for many years, would readily have v e n me an introduct ion, since I d i d n ’ t consider the official chan-

nels through the Austro- Hungar ian Foreign Ministe ry noiseless enough. However, I hesitated t o go ahead with this, because I

wanted t o see first how the c a t would jump i n the debate about the Belgian Congo, and for other reasons of general policy.

1512 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

I have now made u p my mind and ask you whether you want to participate i n this. For the present the m a t t e r is none of the I . C . A business, a n d whether i t w i l l ever b e w e will see l a t e r . For the time being the matter lies only between y o u a n d me, i n confidence,

which I have taken i n you. Even i f you don’t care t o participate you will, as a man of honor, keep m y secret. D o you have personal connections with the King? Can you sound h i m out? The Congo State has land enough which we can use for o u r settlement. W e can take over part o f t h e responsibilities, t h a t is, pay a n a n n u a l tax, w h i c h m a y b e fixed later, to the Congo State, i n return for which we naturally lay claim t o selfgovernment* and a n o t too oppressive vassalage t o the Congo

State. These are the great outlines, the principle. I f King Leopold turns a w i l l i n g ear to the matter, I shall g o t o see h i m at once.

I f you had already prepared him, I would n o t bother

to

ask for

a n introduction from the Grand D u k e to w h o m propriety would then require m e to report all further developments and agree-

This would in turn result in the German Imperial Chancellery’s getting a running a c c o u n t of everything; and that might, under certain circumstances, have its disadvantages. Begging you t o let me know your opinion soon, I remain, with

ments.

high esteem, Your s, Her zl.

July 16, 1 9 0 3 , Alt-Aussee Dear M r . Philippson:

Many thanks for your esteemed reply. I a m not unaware of the fact that there are great difficulties In settling i n the Congo State, although m y knowledge o f these things 1s still slight a t the moment and, i n any case, cannot compare with your comp rehen sive exper ience . * I n Englis h in the origin al.

R Z L 1513 THE COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O R H E Actually, I wasn’t thinki ng o f startin g colon izatio n imme diatel y, but thought first of all of having a suitable territor y found for us, perhaps in the southeastern part of the count ry, 1 n the region s o f higher elevation. But since such a n expedi tion would involve substan tial ex-

penses, we would have t o assure ourselves of a Charter i n advance, because otherwise the financial sacrifice wouldn't be balanced b y chance of success.

I f our Commission came

to

the conclusion that settling our

people there would not b e advisable, w e would not, o f course,

undertake it. But you must bear i n mind that we have, alas, such a desperate element of settlers that we can even go t o some place where things are too bad for others. B u t we have t o have the powerful stimulus of a national character i n the settlement. So, i f you wish to assist me i n the realization o f this plan, I beg you to ask the

King whether he is willing t o discuss the m a t t e r with me—quite secretly, for the t i m e being.

I n any case, this accords well w i t h K i n g Leopold's ideas, for it

is clear what value such a settlement would have for safeguarding and developing this land. I , in turn, want t o help you t o the best of m y ability i n the matter you touched upon. I only regret that I d i d n o t know your plans i n this directio n earlier . H o w much I could have accomplished throug h person al interve ntion w i t h the master himse lf! But I would strong ly recom mend that for the prese nt you say

nothing t o your I.C.A . colleagues abou t both matte rs. T h e t w o of us would have to have a thoro ugh talk abou t them first.

With a respectful greeting,

Faith fully yours, H. Telegram to Lo nd on : *

uly 18, Alt-A usse e

Jo

Issachar or Joe mu st urgently see to-day Co urtier. I learn that now w Viennese Courtier may be able t o prevent Einiges [some * Original tex t, Vj

1514 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ],

things]. That would b e o f greatest importance for us, and I there. fore beg Courtier instantly to wire to the Viennese asking h i m to prevent Einiges. Kindly wire m e fully.

Benjamin. July 2 1 , Alt-Aussee Telegram from Greenberg: * Courtier says that people you name have n o influence i n matter but that the ones i n tabby (French) country have, and he is writing there in direction you desire to-day.— Which 1s a tremendously important step, even if i t remains un-

successful. Because Courtier w i l l be furnishing a precedent b y making the policy of his house favorably disposed t o m y ends.

July 2 1 , Alt-Aussee Philippson definitely declares that he won’t participate, saying that the Congo is absolutely unsuitable.

July 23, Alt-Aussee Mme. von Korvin has procured an audience for me with Plehwe “who is looking forward t o making the acquaintance of so interesting a personality as Dr. H . and will de tout son coeur [heartily] support emigration without the right of re-entry.”

I am wiring Mme. von Korvin: Heartiest thanks for your and his great kindness. Needless to

say, I shall be there o n time. B u t would regard i t as a special favor i f i t could be five or SIX

days sooner. Respe ctfully ,

Herz l. ®

Original text,

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1515 July go, Alt-Aussee Dear Lord Roth schi ld:

I inform you i n deepest confidence that I am going t o St. Petersburg next week i n order to accomplish something for the Jews, a n improvement of their situation. I am already assured of being received by the chief personages. Nevertheless I should like t o ask you t o give me an open letter of recommendation to Minister of Finance W i t t e . I know from a

good source that he respects you highly, and therefore i t can be of the greatest value. A few lines will suffice, since I have other introductions as well. I t will be enough i f you write Witte that he would oblige you if he supported me i n m y endeavors undertaken for the benefit of the Jews. Since I c a n n o t wait for your letter here, kindly address i t t o Hotel de I’Europe, St. Petersburg. B u t I shall be there for only two or three days. So, i f you care t o fulfil m y request you would have t o be good enough t o d o i t a t once. I shall let you know the results of m y trip. With kindest regards, Gratefully yours,

Herzl.

July go, Alt-Aussee

Reply prepaid. Pauline von Korvin , St. Petersburg:

Kindly wire me whether the passepartout [pass] will be sent t o me here, since I am leaving Alt-Aussee Tuesday morning. Respectfully,

Dr. Th. H . Here follows a l l o f Book X V I I , which had to b e started afresh o n account of m y t r i p t o Rus sia.

Book Seventeen Begun in

St. Petersburg August v7, 1 9 0 3

August 7, 1 9 0 3 , St. Petersburg All the way from the border, where w e were rigorously searched,

an uneventful trip across a dreary landscape which finally reminded me of tundras. My journey had been kept a secret from my colleagues; but wherever i t had nevertheless leaked out, they were awaiting me: at Warsaw, Vilna. They are so badly off that I , poor devil, seem l i k e a liberator t o

them. Katzenelsohn, m y good companion, crammed me with instructions on the way. At St. Petersburg I was struck with m y first sight of these strange ways—most of all, with the isvoshtchiks [droshky drivers] and the over-colored, over-gilded churches. At the hotel there was n o letter of recommendation from Rothschild t o Witte waiting for me. His lordship pleads “present circumstances.”* Is i t opportunism or cowardice?* O r is he afraid of seeing me become too big? We'll just have t o go o n without him. As heretofore.

August 8, St. Petersburg

Right after m y arrival I drove to the house of good old Mme.

Korvin-Piatrovska, a charming Pole who reminds me of poor Mme. Gropler i n Constantinople. She already had had a letter from Plehwe, asking her t o have me come to see h i m at g : go this morning. She described h i m t o m e as a great man, Louis X I V , Palmerston, and Gladstone rolled i n t o one.

Others gave a different judgment o n him. While she presented him as a far-sighted statesman, he was pictured by others as more short-sighted. But they all stressed his energy. I n the afternoon I m e t Maximov: a fine, quiet, liberal Russian. He is going t o drive to Pavlovsk today with Katzenelsohn and me to see Adju tant- Gen eral Kire yev. * In English i n the original.

1519

1520 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ]

August g, St. Petersburg Yesterday a most remarkable hour-and-a-quarter conversation with Plehwe, and i n the afternoon, a t Pavlovsk, one w i t h Genera] Kireyev, the Czar’s aide-de-camp, a delightful old cavalier. But first the memorandum for P l e h w e : *

Your Excellency: The conclusion of the conversation which you did me the honor of granting me might perhaps be stated i n the following way: T h e Imperial Russian Government, intending t o resolve the Jewish Question i n a humane manner, o u t o f consideration for the

demands of the Russian state as much as for the needs of the Jewish people, has judged i t useful t o give aid t o the Zionist movement, whose loyal intentions are recognized. The Imperial government’s assistance would consist in the

following: First, effective intervention with H . I . M . the Sultan. T h e problem is to obtain a charter t o colonize Palestine with

the exception of the Holy Places. T h e country would remain under the suzerainty of H . I . M . the Sultan. T h e administration would be managed by the Colonization Company t o be set up with sufficient capital by the Zionists. This company would pay ann u a l l y to the Imperial Ottoman Treasury a contribution to be

decided upon, which would take the place of

taxes.

The company would recover this contribution like its other expenses (public works, education, etc.) b y the taxes i t would collect from the colonists. Second, the Imperial Russian Government would provide a financial subsidy for emigration, using for this purpose certain

funds and taxes whose provenance is purely Jewish. Third, the Imperial Russian Government would facilitate the loyal organization of Russian Zionist societies according t o the Basel program. Your Excellency will decide t o what extent and i n what way this would be made public. Qur Congress, which will meet at ®

I n French i n the origin al.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1521

Basel from the 1 0 t h

to

the 23rd of August, could be used for this

purpose. This would, a t the same time, p u t an end t o certain agitation. I submit for Y.E.’s approval this text o f a statement to b e made to the Congress. “ I am authorized t o state that the Imperial Russian Government

intends t o help the Zionist m o v e m e n t . The Imperial Government proposes t o intervene on our behalf w i t h H . I . M . the Sultan for obtaining a Charter for Colonization. Furthermore, the Imperial Government will place a t the disposal of the emigration carried on by the Zionists sums drawn from Jewish taxes. A n d t o demonstrate clearly t h e h u m a n e character o f these steps, the Imperial

Government proposes, a t the same time, t o enlarge very soon the pale of Jewish settlement for those who do n o t wish t o emigrate.” Pray accept, Your Excellency, the expression of my profound esteem.

Dr. T h . H . St Petersburg, July 28, 1gog* To Kireyev: **

August 1 0 ,

1903

Your Excellency:

I'have the honor t o report t o you that today I have been received by H.E. the Minister of Finance. A t the end of a rather long conversation he told me that as Minister of Finance he had n o objection t o our plan. M r . von Plehwe being for and Mr. Witte not being against our project, the matter could come before the council wit hou t delay. I t i s extremely urgent t o o b t a i n the agreement o f the Ministry o f Foreign Affairs. B y w i n n i n g its support, Y.E. could benefit our

cause immensely. prep TSumably Herzl had the memorandum ready and dated well before meeting chwe, ** I n French i n the orig inal .

1522 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ] What we are asking in that direction can be summed up very briefly as follows: (There follows the 1st point [p. 1 5 2 0 ] ) * I f Y . E . wishes additional explanations, I a m a t a l l times a t your disposal t o come t o Pavlovsk. A telegram will sufhce.

Pray accept, Your Excellency, the expression of my profund esteem and my gratitude.

Yours very devotedly, Dr. T h . H .

August 10, St. Petersburg Only now, after taking care of the most pressing matters, have a chance to record m y meetings w i t h the chief figures of contem:

porary Russia. O n the morning of the day before yesterday, with Plehwe. A few minutes’ wait i n the ante-chamber. A modest a n t e - r o o m , well: got-up huissiers [ushers]. N o w and then there is a glimpse of what might be a detective. About 5 minutes after the appointed time I am asked t o go in. A m a n o f 6o, tall, a b i t obese, steps forward q u i c k l y , greets me, bids m e take a seat, offers m e a smoke, w h i c h I d e c l i n e , a n d begins to

talk. H e speaks a t some length, so that I have time t o familiarize

myself w i t h his face which is i n full daylight. W e sit i n armchairs facing each other, w i t h a small table between us. H e has a sallow, serious face, grey hair, a w h i t e moustache, a n d remarkably youth

ful, energetic brown eyes. H e spoke i n French, not excellent, b u t n o t bad. H e began by clearing the ground: ** “ I have granted you this interview which you requested, doctor, i n order to come to a n understanding w i t h you i n regard t o the Zionist movement, o f w h i c h y o u are t h e leader. T h e relationship

which will be established between the Imperial Government and ®

Herzl’s note, i n German. This speech recorded i n French.

®¢

O R H E R Z L 1523 THE COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D able, b u t i n 7ionism—and whic h can beco me, 1 will not say amic

” the natu re of an unde rsta ndin g—w ill depend o n you. e, I interjected: “Si elles ne dépendront que de moi, Excellenc olles seront excellentes [ I f i t w i l l depend only o n me, Your Excellency, i t will be excellent].” He nodded and continu ed: “ T h e Jewish Questi on is n o t a vital

question for us, but still a rather import ant one. A n d we are endeavoring t o settle i t i n the best way possible. I have granted you this interview now in order t o discuss i t with you prior t o your Congress a t Basel, as you requested. I can understa nd that you take a different position i n the matter from that o f the Russian gov-

and I w a n t t o begin b y making our standpoint clear t o you. The Russian state is bound t o desire homogeneity of its population. We realize, of course, that we c a n n o t obliterate all differences of creed or language. “For instance, we m u s t concede that the older Scandinavian culture has maintained itself i n Finland as something that has ernment,

become organic. B u t what we must demand o f a l l the peoples i n our Empire, and therefore also o f the Jews, is that they take a patriotic view of the Russian state as a n actuality. W e want t o

assimilate them, and t o this end we have t w o methods: higher education and economic betterment . Anyone who has fulfilled certain conditions i n both these respects and whose education or prosperity, we therefore have reason to believe, has made h i m loyal

to the existing order is given full civil rights. However, this as-

similation which we desire is a very slow process.”

At that point I asked h i m for a s l i p o f paper o n which to take notes, so I would n't have to interr upt h i m and yet b e able t o reply to everythin g. H e tore a l e a f from a small pad, b u t h e ungener ously

detached its print ed head ing befo re givin g i t t o me, as thou gh h e were afraid I migh t misuse i t . Wha t use, Goo d Lord , c o u l d I mak e of such a scrap of paper? }

He also said:BEPTE“J espere que vous ne ferez pas d’usage ’ ’ désagréa ble €notre entretien [ I hope you will make n o unwel come use of our J

0)

\

|

Conversation] J!

I replied: “Je n e n ferar auc un usage, exce pté celu i que V.E.

1524 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7] m’ordonnera de faire [1 will make n o use of i t whatever, except a Y.E. may direct me t o do].” That, I believe, was the gambit i n this “immortal game” o

chess. For I had understood all along that he was much concernec about the Congress, evidently because of the inevitable re-opening o f the Kishinev matter there. I could d o h i m a service there b

couper court [cutting short] the discussion.

|

(Before I went t o the P. audience, m y timid friend Katzenelsohr had plied me with all sorts of advice. During the trip we had playe over the Andersen-Kieseritzky “immortal game” o n our pocke chess-board. And I had told him that I would strive t o play a goo game. Play the “immortal game”! said friend Katzen. “Yes, but will sacrifice neither m y rooks nor m y queen,” I said—for he wa worried that I might yield some of the ground still held by th Russian Jews.) *

*

3

Insert, August 1 0 . Letter t o General Kireyev who had sent me: charming letter with an introduction t o Hartwig, the director o the Asian Department : * Your Excellency,

Accept my sincere thanks for your very good letter and for th

introduction. This very evening I shall leave this introduction along with my card, a t Mr. von Hartwig’s house, and I will kee] you informed about everything that happens. The unfortunate outcome of the day can perhaps be viewed 1 a different way. What is dead, alas, is dead for a long time. B u t i n France everything ends with a song, there everything ends wit!

excuses. When some distressing news is presented, one can easily tak

a different view of it. Anyway, we shall see! I t is a deep satisfaction to m e t o see a m a n l i k e you take a

Interest in our idea. I have clearly seen i n your eyes the soul o f cha mpi on of all goo d causes. ®

I n French i n the orig inal.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1525 Pray accept, Your Excellency, the expression of my high esteem

and my gratitude. Yours very devotedly, T h . Herzl. *

%*

L

As though he had already foreseen the interjection I might make, or because he has such a logical mind, Plehwe quickly added: “To be sure, we can confer the benefits of a higher education upon only a limited number of Jews, because otherwise we should soon run out of posts to give the Christians. Also, I a m not blind

the fact that the economic situation of the Jews i n the Pale of Settlement 1s bad. I also admit that they live in what amounts t o a to

ghetto; b u t i t ¢s a large area—1g gouvernements [government

districts]. Lately the situation has grown even worse because the Jews have been joining the revolutionary parties. W e used t o be sympathetic t o your Zionist movement, as long as i t worked toward emigration. You don’t have t o justify the movement t o me. Vous préchez a u n converti [You are preaching t o a convert]. But ever since the Minsk conference we have noticed u n changement

des gros bonnets [a change of big-wigs]. There is less talk now of Palestinian Zionism than there is about culture, organization, and Jewish nationalism. This doesn’t suit us. We have noticed in particular that your leaders i n Russia—who are highly respected persons in their own circles—do not really obey your Vienna Committee, Actually, Ussishkin is the only m a n i n Russia w h o is with you.”

(I was secretly amazed a t this knowledge of personalities. I t proved to me how much serious study he has given the question. And sure enough, h e rose, got a big, handsome volume, w i t h brown binding and g i l t lettering, b r i s t l i n g w i t h book-marks, and said: This is the Ministry's report o n the Zionist movement.) I raised a n objection: “Your Excellency, a l l the Russian leaders

are on my side, even i f now and then they oppose my position.

1526 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL Surely the most important among them 1s Prof. Mandelstamm of Kiev.” And again he astonished me by saying: “ B u t take Kohan-Bernstein! Certainly h e 1s decidedly against

you! By the way, we know that he conducts the press campaign against us abroad.” “Your Excellency, I don’t believe that. The man is n o t well enough known outside of Russia. H e has neither connections nor prestige. And as regards the opposition of these gentlemen t o me, i t is a phenomenon with which Christopher Columbus became familiar. W h e n week after week went b y and still n o land hove in

sight, the sailors o n the caravels began t o grumble. Ce que vous apercevez chez mous, c’est une revolte des matelots contre leur capitaine [What you are witnessing among us 1s a revolt of the sailors against their captain]. “ H e l p me t o reach land sooner, and the revolt w i l l end. And so will the defection t o the Socialists.”

“What sort of help, then, do you ask of us?” I developed the three points which I have already noted down o n p.

1520,

as the outcome of the conversation.

For he readily conceded all three points t o me. Regarding financial support of the emigrants, he stated: “J’admets que sous ce rapport le gouvernement devra s’exécuter. Mais nous ne pourrons

prendre les fonds que dans les contributions juives. Les riches devront payer pour les pauves [I admit that according t o this understanding the government ought t o provide i t . But we can use funds only from Jewish contributions. T h e rich will have to pay for the poor].” “C’est une idée excellente [That is an excellent idea]!” I said. I n the end we agreed that I should work u p a memorandum, and

outline what I intended t o say a t the Congress. Then I asked h i m for a n introduction t o Witte

gave h i m pause. “Yes,” I said. “ I need i t i n order

to

(his enemy). This

request h i m t o withdraw his

ordinance prohibiting the sale o f shares o f our Colonial Trust. This is a n impedime nt to our propagand a.” H e said: “ I will give

THE COMPL ETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1527 you the introductio n, b u t i t is n o promise that your request w i l l b e

granted.” He sat right down, wrote a page-and-a- half to Witte, and sealed

the envelope before hand ing i t t o me. I had also asked him for approval of the by-laws of our societies which we are t o submit. U n t i l the approbation was issued, I asked him to instruct the local governors t o tolerate the movement. For I had learned that i n some places there had been harassment o n the part of subordinate ofhcials. To this hesaid: “ I c a n n o t order toleration. B u t do submit a draft of the by-laws t o me.” (This was a t an earlier point in the conversation.) WhenI felt that we had n o t h i n g more to say to each other, and he had requested the memorandum from me, I rose and asked h i m for another audience after he had examined the document. H e promised this. I prepared t o leave. H e pressed m y hand: “Je suis tres heureux—ne le prenez pas pour une phrase— d'avoir fait votre connaissance personelle [1 am very happy—don’t think this is just words—to have made your personal acquaintance).” “Et moi aussi, Excellence, je suis trés heureux d’avoir p u voir M. de Plehwe dont on parle tant en Europe [And 1 too, Your Excellency, am very happy t o have been able t o see the M r . von Plehwe about whom Europe talks so much]. ” He smiled: “Dont on dit tant de mal [About whom they say so many bad thing s]! “Dont on parle d'une facon que je me suis dit, ¢ a doit étre u n bien grand homme [Who is spoken about i n a way that made me *ay to myself: that must b e a truly great m a n ] . ”

C’était le mot de la fin. [That was the closing remark]. H e saw Me out into the ante-room , where some generals were already waiting.

The next day he said t o dear Mme. Korvin-Piatrovska that he

could use direc tors of m y calib re i n his depa rtme nts. Ifo rg ot :

1528 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL I n the course of the conversation, when I was explaining to Plehwe the need for Russian intervention w i t h the Sultan, because

Palestine was the only place that attracted us, I added that there also were difficulties about being admitted i n t o other countries, even England and America. I f emigration were directly supported

with money—as discussed here i n St. Petersburg in recent days and even printed i n the Novoye Vremya—this would be tantamount t o putting an export premium o n the Jews and would further strengthen this resistance with which I had already become familiar i n England. Surely the people would be considered undesirables* for whose departure their own government paid a bonus. Plehwe thought that England was really o u t of the question for a sizable emigration. B u t America was a possibility. I t still had

large territories available for settlement, and i f the banker Selig mann were t o approach his friend Roosevelt about the matter, something could perhaps be done. I said that I didn’t regard this as very likely. I couldn’t say anything definite about i t , because I hadn’t had any c o n t a c t with the

American government on the subject as yet. However, Palestine seemed t o me t o be the only possibility. O n Saturday afternoon, the 8th, I drove with Maximov and Katzenelsohn to Pavlovsk, a k i n d o f Russian Potsdam, where Gen-

eral Kireyev lives i n the palace, as the Court-Marshal of a Grand Duchess. Kireyev, Aksakov’s successor, is the head of the Slavophiles. But while I had hitherto imagined h i m as a wild bear, I found myself in the presence of a charming old cavalier, elegant, amiable, modern, and well-informed, who speaks excellent German, French, and English, and knows a l o t of other things, too. While I was conversing with him, i t gave me pleasure t o look into his fine b l u e eyes. What w i t h his w h i t e cavalryman’s mous-

tache, a charmeur [charmer]. I won h i m over. O n Sunday the gth I drove t o the “Isles” t o see Witte. H e received m e at once, b u t was n o t amiable a t all. A tall, ugly, coarse, serious person, about 60 years o f age. A peculiar flattened * I n English i n the original .

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1529 nose, knock-knees, deformed feet which cause h i m to walk clumsily.

More on his guard than Plehwe, he sat with his back t o the window, so that I sat there i n f u l l daylight. H e speaks a very bad French. A t times he strained and moaned for a word i n a n almost comical fashion. B u t since I took n o l i k i n g to h i m , I l e t h i m groan.

He began by asking me who I was (despite the introduction!), and when I had briefly presented myself and the cause—the latter du point de vue gouvernemental [from the government’s point of view]—he took the floor for a lengthy speech. “Don’t say that this 1s the view of the government. I t is only the view of certain individuals i n the government. You w a n t t o lead the Jews out of the country? Are you a Hebrew? With whom a m I

speaking, anyway?”’ “ I a m a Hebrew and the leader of the Zionist movement.” “And what we say remains between us?” “Absolument [Absolutely]!” I said, and so emphatically that from that point on he spoke quite freely. H e began with a presen-

tation of the Jewish Question i n Russia. “Il'y a des préjuges [There are prejudices] (not préjugés),” he said i n his miserable French. “Il y a des préjuges honnétes et des préjuges malhonnétes [There are honest prejudices and dishonest

prejudices).

“The Czar has préjuges honnétes against the Jews. There certainly cannot be any doubt of the Czar’s honesty, for he is above everything. The anti-Jewish préjuges of the Czar are mainly religious in nature. There are also préjuges that are materialistic i n origin, caused by Jewish competition. Then there are people who are anti-Semites because it is fashionable t o be. Finally, there are those who are anti-Semitic for business reasons. Especially journalists are i n this class. O n e o f the filthiest is a certain Grund ( I think that was the name), w h o edits a paper i n Moscow. I t 1s true, he is a baptized Jew, b u t h e has retained all the Jewish characteristics— I

mean the bad ones—and reviles the Jews. A very mean fellow.” “Something like Arthur Meyer o f the Gaulois, then?”

“Even worse. B u t i t m u s t be admitted that the Jews do provide reason enough for hostility. There is a characteristic arrogance

1530 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL about them. Yet most of them are poor, and because they are poor they are dirty and make an oftensive impression. They also engage i n all sorts of nasty pursuits, like pimping and usury. So that the friends of the Jews find i t hard t o come t o their defense. I myself” —(after the preamble, this was unexpected)—"am a friend of the Jews.” ( I couldn’t suppress the thought: how then do the enemies talk?) “ I t 1s hard,” h e continued, “ t o stand u p for the Jews, for then

people immediately say that one has been bought. As for me, I am n o t worried about i t . I have that kind of courage. Then, too, my reputation as a respectable person is too firmly established for anyone t o hang anything o n me. B u t faint-hearted people and those o n the make let themselves be influenced b y this and prefer t o turn against the Jews. Lately, another weighty factor has been added:

the participation of the Jews i n revolutionary movements. While there are only # million Jews among our total population of 136 millions, their share i n the membership o f the revolutionary

parties is about 5 0 per cent.” “ T o what circumstance do you attribute this, Your Excellency?” “ I believe it is the fault of our government. The Jews are too oppressed. I used to say to the late Emperor Alexander I I I : ‘Your Majesty, i f i t is possible to drown the 6 o r # m i l l i o n Jews i n the

Black Sea, I have absolutely n o objection t o i t . But i f i t isn't possible, we must l e t them live.’ That has continued to be m y view.

I am against further oppression.” “ B u t what about the present situation? D o you think that the

present situatio n is tenable?” “Certainly. Russia has a resiliency of which people abroad have n o idea. W e can endure the greatest calamities for a very long time.”

“I'am n o t speaking of Russia, b u t of the Jews. D o you believe that the Jews w i l l be able t o endure this desperate state of affairs much longer?” “Wh at way out is there?”

THE COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1531 I now presented the way o u t , answering all his familiar objections with my long-prepared arguments. But I recognized i n h i s objections the views o f the rich antiZionist Stock-Exchange Jews, w h o had evidently instructed h i m

in Zionism. I t was all there, even that old chestnut about the ambassadorial post. H e said: ““I'wenty years ago I spent some time at

Marienbad with a Jewish deputy from Hungary. What was his name, N O W ? ’

“Wahrmann?”’ “That’s it. Even then people were talking about the creation of a Jewish State i n Palestine, and Mr. Wahrmann said that i f this came about he would want t o be the Austrian ambassador a t Jerusalem.” I t is clear that Wahrmann must have said, “ t h e Jewish ambas-

sador a t Pest.” Mr. Witte told the story badly. Then I took his arguments by the throat au fur et a mesure [Just as fast] as he presented them and demolished them. More and more he admitted that I was right. H e clung only t o the Holy Places (like all the Jewish bankers). No anti-Semite has ever stubbed his toe o n them—only he, the “friend of the Jews.” Finally, he asked me what I wanted from the government. “Certains encouragements [Certain encouragement].” I said.

“Mais o n

d o n n e a u x juifs des encouragements

a I'émigration.

Par exemple les coups de pied [But the Jews are being given thcourage ment t o emigrate . Kicks, for example ].”

To this stupid brutality I replied by drawing myself up, calm

and frigid, and saying icily: “Ce n'est pas de ce genre d’encouragements que je veux parler. Ils sont connus [That i s n ’ t t h e sort o f encourag ement I w a n t t o talk about. Tha t sort is well kno wn]. ” And I developed the three points of my memorand um t o Plehwe. Witte ended b y admitting that m y solution would b e a good one if i t could be carrie d out. I asked h i m , b y way o f suppo rting our |

Movement, to withdraw the ban o n the shares of the Jewish Colo-

1532 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL nial Trust. H e promised t o do so o n condition that we establish a branch i n Russia (which we actually want ourselves), so that our transactions could b e supervised. I accepted this condition a t once.

Thus this disagreeable man had actually promised me what I wanted, after all. This conversation too had lasted for an hour

and a quarter. I rose from m y chair. H e shook hands with me several times and accompanied me as far as the stairs, which seems t o b e a l o t for this boor, since h e is i n the h a b i t o f dispatching even

visiting Excellencies while standing.

August 11, S t . Petersburg

Idle day of waiting. Yesterday I had a four-page letter from the charming Kireyev along with an introduction t o Mr. von Hartwig, the head of the Asiatic Department in the Foreign Ministry. I s e n t the letter and m y card i n t o Hartwig—and a m still waiting.

Supplement. O n the subject of the Holy Places Witte remarked: “At what distance from the Holy Places do you contemplate making your settlement? I think i t would cause alarm if people knew the Jews were so close by.” “What about the present situation, with Turkish soldiers guarding the Holy Sepulchre?” “This is less intolerable than if the guards were Jews,” said the “friend of the Jews.” “ I f a few hundred thousand Jews were t o go there a t one swoop, with Jewish hotels, Jewish businesses—that might wound Christian sensibilities.” This is the familiar objection of Jewish bankers. I said: “ W e plan t o make the settlement farther t o the north of the country. Far from Jerusalem. After all, i n the end some place will have to be found for the Jews, since, as Your Excellency so rightly observed, they can’t be drowned i n the Black Sea.”

Actually, during all this I rather had the impression that he trotted o u t this argument only because he couldn’t find anything else. I believe he is inconsolable over the fact that this échappatoire

THE COMP LETE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1533 [loop-hole] for Plehwe has turned u p . Witte is presuma bly less a

friend of the Jews than he is bent o n exploi ting Plehwe’s embarrassment over Kishine v. I f this embarra ssment increase d, i t could

lead to Plehwe’s downfa ll, and Witte would be the top m a n again.

He has already been in the government for 13 or 14 years, this friend of the Jews. Why hasn’t he done a thing for the Jews?

August 1 1 , evening

Just ran into Plehwe o n the Nevsky Prospect. My silent greeting hinted a t memories. A few detectives who were walking behind h i m gave me a look of loving penetration. LJ

%

%*

I think i t is n o t a good sign that nothing has come from Hartwig yet. He is also the president o f the Imperial Palestine Society.

August 1 2 , St. Petersburg This morning, too, has brought nothing yet, either from Plehwe

or from Hartwig. Last evening I paid a call on my friend, dear old Mme. Korvin-Piatrovska, who reminds me of my good Hechler. I n my presence she wrote an eight-page letter t o Plehwe. I n i t she pointed out, at m y request, that a t this particula r time, after the

assassination of Consul Rostkovsky, Turkey would obedien tly Carry out any wish of Russ ia's.

August 1 2 , St. Petersburg Later in the morn ing came a long, satisfying letter from Plehwe, together wit h a personal no te.

Reply:*

* In French i n the ori gin

al.

1534 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ].

Your Excellency: I have received the letter w h i c h you d i d m e the honor to address t o me.

I shall take the liberty of calling on you tomorrow afternoon at four o'clock. With the expression of my high regard and sincere devotion, T h . Herzl.

August 14, St. Petersburg. M y second conversation with Plehwe, which took place yesterday, w e n t much more favorably than the first, by far. I drove u p a t four o'clock, and after waiting a few minutes, which this time I was permitted to spend i n the Cabinet conference room rather than i n the ante-room, I was conducted to his office. H e received m e with the warmth o f a friend, and after I had thanked h i m for his letter, h e said: “ I kept you waiting a b i t for m y letter; but I could not let a document concerning such a n important matter out of my hands

before I had submitted the subject t o H i s Majesty the Emperor. H . M . the Emperor is the overlord of the country, the head of the government, and le souverain autocrate [the autocratic sovereign). I t was also important that the declaration I intended t o give you should not come from a temporary official, from a minister who

might no longer be one tomorrow— — " “Espérons que non [Let us hope n o t ] ! ” I interjected. “ — —but should be a declaration of the government. I can therefore tell you i n confidence that I submitted m y letter t o the

Emperor as the conclusion t o m y report and that he gave me his consent to transmit i t to you. H . M . the Emperor also took the

occasion t o express himself on the attacks t o which Russia has recently been subjected on account of the Jews. H e was extremely hurt that anyone should have dared t o assert that the Russian government h a d participated i n arranging these excesses O f had

THE COMPLETE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1535 even passively tolerated them. As head of the state H . M . is equal ly

favorably disposed to a l l his subject s, and i n h i s well-kn own great kindness he is particula rly grieved at being thought capable o f any inhumanity. “ I t is easy enough for foreign governments a n d for p u b l i c

opinion abroad t o adopt a magnanimous attitude and reproach us with the way we treat our Jews. B u t i f i t were a question o f t h e i r letting 2-g million poor Jews i n t o t h e i r countries, they would sing

adifferent tune. Such an admission 1s o u t of the question, and they leave it to us t o cope with this problem. “Now I certainly don’t w a n t t o deny that the situation of the Jews in the Russian Empire 1s not a happy one. I n fact, i f I were a

Jew,I too would probably be an enemy of the government. “However, things being what they are, we have n o other choice but to act the way we have acted u p t o now, and therefore the

creation of an independent Jewish State, capable of absorbing several million Jews, would suit us best of all. B u t this doesn’t mean that we w a n t t o lose all of our Jews. Les fortes intelligences — ¢ t vous méme étes le meilleur exemple q u ’ i l y en a—nous voudrions les garder. Pour les fortes intelligences i l n’y a pas de différence de confession o u de nation alité [Those o f superi or intelli-

gence—and you yourself are the best examp le—we would l i k e t o

keep. Brains know no distinction of creed or nationality].

“But we should l i k e t o get rid o f those w i t h weak minds a n d litele property. W e woul d l i k e to keep anyo ne w h o is able t o as|

similate. We have no hostile feelings toward the Jews as such, as

I also show you in m y let ter .”

“But i n the mean time, Your Excel lency , i t m i g h t still b e a good

a ! you did a little more tor those Jews of yours who are still

o —

Ri

t would great ly facilit ate m y work o f recon ciliati on if,

P € You extended the right of settle ment t o Cour land and Iga, or i f w i t h i n the pres ent P a l e o f S e t t l e m e n t y o u perm itted t h e Jews to acqu ire u p t o ten dess iatine s ( a b o u t 2 0 M o r g e n ) * for agriCultura] pu rp os es .”

He by no means rejected this, b u t said: * Translator’s Note: Ab

out 2 7 acres.

1536 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL “I don’t dislike that suggestion about Courland and Riga; in fact, I have already given i t some thought. W e have absolutely no objections t o admitting Jews t o such places where they do not out. class the local population economically. Therefore we might be more likely to admit them to the Baltic provinces, where they would be dealing with Germans, Latvians, etc.

“The purchase of land by individuals is another matter. “When I took over my Ministry, I had an action of that sort in mind. I wanted t o permit the Jews i n the Pale of Settlement to acquire § t o p dessiatines of land. B u t when I published this intention in the newspapers, a storm of protest rose from the Russian side: I was trying t o Judaize the land, etc. So I had t o give up the plan. For you should know that I assumed office as a friend of the Jews. I know the Jews very well. I spent m y youth among them. That was i n Warsaw, where I lived from the age of five t o sixteen. I lived in a big house with m y parents, who were i n very modest circumstances. W e had a small apartment, and we children had to

play in the big courtyard. There I played with Jewish children exclusively. M y boyhood friends were Jewish. So you will notice a certain predisposition i n m e t o d o something for the Jews. For this reason I d o n ’ t want t o reject your rural settlement proposal either. But the acquisition of land must n o t take place on an indi-

vidual basis; if you want t o settle entire communities, des bourgs

juifs [Jewish enclaves], the government probably would not object, and within these bourgs you could then allow individuals t o have such private holdings. We'll talk about that some other time. There is a Jew here named Giinzburg w h o sometimes comes t o s ¢ ¢ m e about Jewish affairs. Let h i m talk w i t h m e about the matter.” “Permit me, Your Excellency, to suggest someone else t o you as a representative. Baron Giinzburg is old and not very bright, al-

though a very estimable man. I would prefer it if you talked with m y representa tive, D r . Katzenelso hn o f Libau, w h o is modern,

educated, and respected.” “Gladly. I shall receive h i m i f h e comes w i t h a recommendation

from you.”

T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1537 THE CO MP LE TE DIA RIE S O F pro duc e coo per ativ e?’ “Then the form wo uld b e tha t o f a farm “Yes,” he said. ains the inte rve ntio n “But the most imp orta nt thin g is and rem the con vers atio n bac k t o with the Sult an.” Thi s is h o w I bro ugh t Zion. |

|

|

(To be continued later.)

Augus t 14, Peter sburg

Letter to Pleh we: *

Your Excellency:

Permit me before my departure

to

add a few more words

to

what was said yesterday. Everything depends o n the efficacy of the interven tion with H.IM. the Sultan. There has n o t been such an auspicious m o m e n t for a long time; and who knows when similarly favorable circumstances w i l l present themselves again. A t the present time the Ottoman government will, outside of its usual compliance, d o everything i t 1S asked to do in order t o please Russia. I'am convinced that one wish of H i s Imperial Majesty the Czar, expressed directly, would suffice.

As regards the humble efforts which I am beginning t o make, the letter enclosed herewith is a first proof of them. I beg Y.E. t o read it, have one of your m e n p u t i t i n a mail box tomorrow, and to forget that I

have revealed this part of my correspondence.

I intend to work a t the task of reconciliat ion with all m y reSources, even before the Congress. I am leaving tomorrow, Saturday evening, and I plan to stop pay Vilna, between t w o trains, i n order t o make a speech

place there b a I Lam going p o any there I

some emonsiracions hostile t o me may take oesnov ighten m e i i n a c t the very reason ghten o u t misguided people, i f there are

.

. . . believe that this will meet the needs of the situa tion, but just

InFrenchin the original.

1538 T H E C O M P L E T E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL the same I would be very happy to know i f there is n o inconven;ence. Therefore I beg Y.E. t o let me have a word o n this subject this

very evening, i f possible, for the sake of my traveling arrangements. Pray accept, e t c .

Accompanying letter (inclus [enclosed]): T o Lord R o t h —

Dear Lord Roth— I n accordance with your request I am giving you the results of my efforts here. I found a favorable disposition o n the part of the Russian government, and in m y address t o the Basel Congress I shall be able t o make announcements that w i l l be important and gratifying for Jewry. However, i t would substantially c o n t r i b u t e t o t h e further 1m-

provement of the situation i f the pro-Jewish papers stopped using such a n odious tone toward Russia. W e ought t o try to work toward that end i n the near future.

I am leaving for Basel today. With the kindest regards, Yours, He rzl.

(Continued from p. 153%. I n my conversation with Plehwe I said m o s t emphatically that everything depended on the energy with which the Russian government interceded i n o u r behalf a t C o n s t a n t i n o p l e . A f t e r a l l , the

Foreign Office is just another organ of the same body as the Ministry of the Interior, and the wishes of the one should, i n a case like

this, be taken care of by the other. B u t I thought, of course, that the m o s t effective thing would be the Czar’s personal intercession with the Sultan. That was why I had originally asked for an audience w i t h the Emper or.

Plehwe listened to m e w i t h a very thoughtful look i n his €yes: I could tell that he was following m y l i n e o f reasoning and accept Ing i t . Since n o one here wants a war, and too much can’t be asked

THE COMPLETE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1539 d for the murdered consul Rostkovski, such compensation woul robably be very welcome t o t h e m .

|

Finally, Plehwe told me that he would take u p the matter with the Emperor again and press i t energetically. H i s look and his wone left no doubt that he is really serious about i t . Howev er, he said that he could n o t do i t a t the moment , because just before receiving me he had had his farewell audience w i t h the Czar who is starting o u t on a trip today. But when I discreetly inquired about m y present chances of obtaining an audience with the Czar, h e said:* “ W e shall see— after the Congress.” This proves again that what happens at the Congress 1s especially important t o him.

SinceI have no intention of deceiving him, that is all right with me too. I insisted only as far as intercession was concerned, for, I

said, such an auspicious m o m e n t doesn’t turn u p every day, or year. We also talked about Witte. I wanted t o tell h i m about Witte’s

reservations; but he was already au courant [informed] : “The Minister of Finance is skeptical about the realization of your projects. H e doesn’t believe i n them.”

“M. Witte,” I replied, “has his informat ion from a certain financial quarter that is none o f the best. Lord Rothsc hild i n Lon-

don will aid me with the finan cing .” “But I believe that the

Minister o f Finan ce, too, maint ains ex-

cellent relations with the Paris bran ch of this house.”

“The Rothschilds of Paris will n o t be opposed, because one of

them has spent many millio ns o n colon izatio n i n Palestine.” |

La conversation languissait [The conversation flagged]. SoI pulled o u t his letter and asked him t o add my nam et

o

it—

perhaps he wou ld not care t o address me as Cha irma n of the AC. He readily consented, and after the word “Mon sieur ” he

[Ce

Put “Herzl.”

t the by-laws which I had asked a Russian memFinally ber of theIA.got C. ot oudr aft for me. * Translato r’s . Not e: Her z] quo

tes t h i s con vers atio n i n Fre nch .

1540 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL H e skimmed through them. “According t o this you would be having congresses i n Russia all the time, and the Jews would be allowed to d o what is forbidden to the Christians.”

“ I ' l l tell m y people n o t t o hold any congresses.” H e pulled down the familiar brown-and-gold volume: “You are asking me for just the opposite of what is contained i n this report. I was going to recommend the suppression of the

Zionist movement a t the cabinet meeting i n October.” “The decision is yours!” I said. Obviously he will make this decision, t o o , dependent on the Congress. L a s i t u a t i o n est n e t t e [The situation is clear]:

Either help, administrative and financial, as well as intervention with the Sultan,

O r the prohibition of the movement. Thus everything depends upon our people doing nothing foolish. I said good-bye t o him, and he was very, very nice.

Later I had some callers: the charming old General Kireyev, who, i t n o w turned out, is a brother o f Madame Olga d e Novikoff;

Lieutenant-General Zsilinky, a worthy old Pole; the student Friedland; clever Glikin; and Bruck, who is trying t o frighten me about my visit t o Vilna. A m I t o be accorded the royal honor of an assassination there? Telegrams arrived here yesterday from ten different cities 1nquiring whether i t was true that I was dead.

August 15, St. Petersburg Letter to Witte: *

Your Excellency: I n the course of the interview which you did me the honor of granting o n J u l y 27 y o u told m e that t h e Jewish Colonial T r u s t of ®

I n French i n the original.

R Z L 1541 THE COMPLETE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O R H E only o n the conLondon could be perm itted t o start oper ation s

nam e of the dition that a branch be established i n Russia. I n the rman , I Board of Direc tors and o f the Coun cil, o f whic h I a m Chai

therefore beg t o subm it a request for the autho rizatio n of a branc h office, in order t o fulfil the abov e-me ntion ed cond ition.

Pray accept, Your Excelle ncy, the express ion o f m y high esteem.

Th. H .

August 16, on the train, between Dvinsk and Vilna My last day in St. Petersburg was somewhat spoiled for me by the Vitebsk member of the A.C., Dr. Bruck. H e excitedly counseled me against going to Vilna.

He said they could give me un mauvais parti [a bad time] there. Vilna was the seat of the leadership o f the “ B u n d , ” a secret revolu-

tionary society, and those people were furious a t me because I had 1) gone to see Plehwe, 2) spoken against them a t the St. Petersburg banquet. Incidentally, the rumor circulated i n many Russian cities that I'was dead. I t was not clear whether they thought that I had been killed by the government or b y the Socialists. I'stated that I wouldn’t make myself so ridiculou s as not to go to Vilna now that I

had already announced i t . However, in order t o get rid of Dr. Bruck, I sent him on ahead t o Vilna “by way of precaution,” to reconnoitre the situa tion. *

*

*

The last day in St. Petersburg was full of work.

The most import ant thing was the brief b u t meaty conve rsation with von Hartwig (Gartwich),* the dire ctor of the Asia tic Dep artMent of the Forei gn Office . I n addi tion h e is presi dent o f the ImPerial Russian Palestine So ciety. ey ¢ T

onic cham ber, whic h a t the same time serves as a librar y, I € Very remarkable collection of books of this departme

nt,

’ Ianslator’s Note : T h e way Hart wig’ s

nam e was spel led i n

Russia.

1542 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL which seems absolutely top-notch t o me. A big window t o Asia opens u p when one looks a t these dictionaries of the Chinese, Japanese, Afghan, etc. languages. A good deal o f travel literature, old a n d new, good a n d worthless, mostly i n English.

A gentleman of medium height, corpulent, with a big Russian beard and a bald head, i n light-colored summer clothes and with papers under his arm passed through the room. H e gave me a searching glance as I stood there so attentively i n front of the books. I t was von Hartwig, as I found out later when I was admitted.

Briefly and for the umpteenth time I expounded the matter. He claimed diplomatically n o t t o have been informed yet. Naturally I told h i m about Plehwe’s promise to m e i n the name of the Em-

peror that the Russian government would intercede with the Sultan in our behalf. A t this he lowered his nose somewhat. He said that the extraterritorialization of the Holy Places which I was

proposing eliminated one of the major difficulties. H e now informed me that von Joneu, the ambassador a t Berne, since deceased, hadn’t had much to d o i n Berne, had made a study o f the Zionist movement, a n d sent t h e Foreign Ministry a bulky

report o n i t . The cause found favor with the Foreign Ministry; but since n o one pushed it, i t didn’t get anywhere.

H e (Hartwig) himself knew about the Congresses, in which the great German philosopher— —

“Nordaul” “ . . . yes, Nordau, was one of the participants.” H e desired a report that h e could submit to the Minister. I

promised h i m one within t w o weeks. Then he was going t o ask Ambassador Ssinovyev a t Constantinople what could be done in the matter. With this I took my leave, requesting his good-will, which he promised me. *

*

LJ

B u t General Kireyev, w h o was already waiting for m e at the hotel, told m e that we must n o t expect any friendly Russian intercession with the Grand T u r k i n the immediate future.

Z L 1543 THE COMPLETE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R The Russian fleet was going t o demo nstrat e befor e Cons tanti-

nople on account of the murde r of Consu l Rostk ovski. I t had already sailed. A n d even after the satisfa ction dema nded o n five ints had been given, relation s betwee n the Russian s and the

Turks were not likely t o be very pleasant for some time t o come.

August 17, o n the train, between Thorn and Posen Yesterday, the day of Vilna, will l i v e i n m y memory forever. N o t

aphrase from an after-dinner speech. My very arrival a t noon i n this Russo-Polish city was marked by ovations. I don’t like this sort of thing. Insuch receptions there is play-acting o n the one side and foolish emballement [rapture] on the other. But the situation became more real, because more dangerous, when the police, who favored m e w i t h the greatest attention from the outset, forbade all gatherings, even m y visit t o the synagogue.

But later I did drive through tumultuous Jewish streets t o the offices of the Jewish Community, where the officials and deputations awaited me i n packed throngs. There was a n o t e i n their greeting that moved me so deeply that only the thought of the newspaper reports enabled me t o restrain m y tears.

In the numerous addresses I was enormously overpraised, but the unhappiness of these sorely oppressed people was genuine. Afterwards all kinds of deputat ions, laden w i t h gifts, called o n

the hotel, in front of which crowds kept re-gathering as fast as the police dispersed them.

Me at

|

The police also sent me a message that I should n o t drive about

I n the city.

Towards evenin g we drove t o Verki , a n hour's distan ce from

the city, where Jews are ordin arily n o t allow ed t o resid e. The re e r p e d e n Jacob h a dper nefas [1llegally] Tented a l i t t l e sumRussi, o a t » considering the transpo rtation situatio n i n this ncia l tow n, i t was far awa y.

To this house he had inv ite d abo ut

go guests. Gh ett o, wit h goo d

1544 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ].

ghetto-talk. But the dinner that w e n t with i t was sumptuous. They wanted t o show me every kindness they could. A n d the host, among the many toasts of the others, made a fine, stately speech of welcome, one o f real old-Jewish nobility. H e said: “All o f us here are happy today. B u t I a m the happiest, because I have this guest under

my roof.” S t i l l , even h e was surpassed b y the u n i n v i t e d guests w h o suddenly appeared o u t of the night in front of the curtained-off

verandah: poor youths and girls from Vilna who had come all the way o u t here (about a two hours’ walk) t o see m e a t table.

There they stood, outside, watching us e a t and listening t o us talk. And they provided the dinner music by singing Hebrew songs. Ben Jacob, a truly noble host, had the kindness t o feed these unbidden guests, too. A n d one of the young workingmen, i n a blue smock, who had attracted m y attention because of the hard, determined expression o n his face, so that I took h i m to b e one o f those revolutionary “Bundists,” surprised m e b y proposing a toast to the day when

“Ha-melekh Herzl [King Herzl]” would reign. A n absurdity, yet i t produced a striking effect i n the dark Russian night. W e drove back. A n d at one i n the morning, from the hotel to

the station. The town was awake, awaiting m y departure. The people stood and walked i n the streets through which we had to

pass, crying Hedad [Hail]! as soon as they recognized me. The same from the balconies. B u t near the railroad station, where the crowds got denser, unfortunately there were clashes with the brutal police who had instructions t o keep the station clear. I t was a regular Russian police manoeuvre which I saw with horror as my carriage rolled toward the station with increasing speed. Cries of Hedad, brutal shouts of the policemen as they hurled themselves at intervals at the running crowd, and m y driver lashing his horses. A t the station entrance, which was roped off, stood three police

officers. The eldest, a white-bearded man, greeted me with submissive politeness. A small group of people, about 50-60 of m y friends, had never theless managed to smuggle themselves into the station. 1 was

R Z L 1545 THE COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O R H E

ain, sanding there, quietly talking with them, when a police capt

t w i t h a grea t followed by a sergeant, came thro ugh the resta uran a t a table clanking of spurs. H e occu pied a n obse rvatio n post friend s behind us. When prese ntly I took off m y hat t o b i d m y

good-bye, he respectfully joine d i n the gree ting.

Was this to b e a t t r i b u t e d t o a n order from St. Peters burg t o protect me, o r to the police officer s’ secret fear o f t h e crowd ?

Farly i n the morning a t Eydtkuh nen I was m e t b y a group o f Zionists from the Russia n fronti er town.

One more speech, and a bouquet. That was Russia.

August 19, Alt-Aussee Letter to Bacher: Dear Friend:

Ihave come here from Russia t o join my family for one day, and now I am going to Basel for the Congress.

Although we have taken separate ways on the Jewish Question for years, I still feel I ought to tell you that something w i l l happen

in Basel that the N . Fr. Pr. can n o longer ignore. I have brought along from Russia a document of the greatest world-wide political significance which I shall i n some fashion bring to the atten tion of the Congress.

Get ready to publish it, for i t will be impossible not t o do so. The movement and I don’t need the publica tion i n the N . Fr. Pr,but the N. Fr. Pr. needs it. Unfortu nately I can’t give you the ocument in advance, much as I would like t o do i t for friendship’s [can transmit i t only t o the Congress. English and espe cially American Papers wou ld be extr eme ly grat eful for it.

With the kindest regards,

Yours sincerely, Herzl.

1546 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL I suggest that you commission the following telegram from L o n d o n o r B e r l i n : D r . Herzl spent a week a t St. Petersburg, nego.

tiating w i t h the government, particularly Ministers von Plehwe and Witte, on behalf of the Jews. T h e results of these conversations are l i k e l y to be announced a t the Zionist Congress, w h i c h convenes at

Basel on August 23rd.

August 1 9 , o n the train, approaching Innsbruck

O n the train between Bischofshofen and Lend-Gastein I had an unexpected meeting with Prince Philipp Eulenburg. H e was on his way t o Gastein. A quick major conversation. E n deux temps trois mouvements [ I n t w o shakes of a lamb’s tail] I had described t o h i m the present state of affairs. I immediately realized the advantage of regaining Germany. I w i l l gladly let Wilhelm I I have the glory of placing himself a t t h e head, after I e l i m i n a t e , u n e a u n e [one b y o n e ] , t h e diplo-

matic difficulties which were in the way the time before. Eulenburg asked me whether he should write Biilow what I had told him. “Biilow,” I said, “is an old opponent of our cause. He will be against i t now too. B u t i f you w a n t t o write someone—write the Kaiser! H e understood i t then.” “Cando that, too.” And this is how we left it. H e thought my accomplishments in Russia tremendous. The answer that they had denied t o Roosevelt—they gave t o me. Eulenburg asked how I accounted for that. “First, by the difficulty they are i n . Second, b y the fact that I am a powerless m a n w h o m they c a n answer t o w i t h o u t l o s i n g face.”

H e nodded. Before he got off, he asked me t o introduce h i m and told her how much he admire d me.

to

m y mother,

So I have revived German relations through a chance travel encount er.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1547

August 2 2 , Basel The Sixth Congress. The old hur ly-b urly . My heart is acting u p from fatigue . If I were doing i t for thanks, I would be a big fool. Yesterday I gave m y report to the “Greater A . C . ” I presented England and Russia. A n d i t d i d n ’ t occur to any of them for even a single moment that for these greatest o f a l l accomplishments t o date I deserved a word, o r even a smile, o f thanks. Instead, Messieurs Jacobson, Belkovsky, and Tschlenow criti-

cized me a number of times.

August 3 1 , Constance, o n Lake Constance The difficult great Sixth Congress is over. When, completely worn out, I had returned from the Congress building, after the final session, w i t h m y friends Zangwill, Nordau, and Cowen, and we sat i n Cowen’s room around a bottle o f mineral water, I said t o t h e m :

“Iwill now tell you the speech I am going t o make a t the Seventh Congress—that is, i f I live to see it. “By then I shall either have obtained Palestine or realized the complete futility of any furthe r efforts. “In the latter case, m y speech will b e as follows:

Itwas n o t possible. T h e ultimate goal has not been reached, and will not be reached w i t h i n a foreseeable time. B u t a temporary resultisat hand: this land i n which we can settle our suffering masses

ona national basis and w i t h the right of self-government. I do n o t believe that for the sake o f a b e a u t i f u l dream o r o f a legitimist ic banner we have a right t o w i t h h o l d this relief from the unfortu nate,

‘But I recognize that this has produced a decisive split i n our Movement, and this rift is centered about m y own person. Although I was originally only a Jewish State man—n’importe ou [no matter where]—, later I did l i f t u p the flag of Zion and became

1548 T H E C O M P L E T E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL myself a Lover of Zion.* Palestine 1s the only land where our people can come to rest. B u t hundreds o f thousands need immediate

help. “There is only one way to solve this conflict: I must resign my leadership. I shall, i f y o u w i s h , c o n d u c t t h e negotiations of this

Congress for you, and a t its conclusion you will elect t w o Executive Committees, one for East Africa and one for Palestine. I shall

accept election t o neither. B u t I shall never deny m y counsel to those who devote themselves t o the work i f they request it. And my best wishes w i l l be with those w h o work for the fulfilment of the beautiful dream.

‘By what I have done I have n o t made Zionism poorer, but Jewry richer. ‘Farewell!

’

9

September 1 , o n the train, between Ischl and Aussee Yesterday I visited the Grand Duke o n the Isle of Mainau. H e was kind and good, as usual. W e walked for two hours u p and

down the garden behind the castle. When I arrived he gave me a long hand-clasp and congratulated m e o n such great successes. B u t when I explained t o him m y present difficult situation, a dilemma between East Africa and Palestine, h e was f u l l of more

serious commiseration. Again he discussed the world situation with me i n some detail. England was striving t o isolate Germany. France actually was tired of her Russian friendship by now. I n the Orient everything depended on whether a war between Austria and Hungary could be avoided. I thought that there was no reason t o fear one, because Emperor Franz Joseph could always placate Hungary a t the expense of Austria. As for m y suggestion that Kaiser Wilhelm should again take the ®

I n English in the original.

THE COMPLET E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1549 lead i n our campaign , N O W that I had succeeded i n w i n n i n g over Russia and England, the Grand D u k e gently passed over it. However, he said h e would send Baron Richthofen, the Secretary of State, m y speech a t the Basel Congress, as well as Plehwe’s

letter and the English document. Then Richthofen should put all the material i n businesslike form for presentation t o the Kaiser. I asked him i f Germany wouldn't object t o Russia’s taking the lead. “On the contrary!” said the Grand Duke. “That would make things easier for us. W e could then fall i n t o l i n e w i t h Russia at once. For i t is our wish t o remain o n good terms with Russia.” This was really the core of our long conversation. A t one point the good old Duke seemed moved: when I told him that we would gladly renounce the good land i n East Africa for the poor land i n Palestine. I would particularly regard i t as a vindication for us avaricious Jews i f we gave u p a rich country for the sake of a poor one. I t was half past one when a footman called h i m away. “I'am not inviting you to stay for lunch, so as t o spare you the acquaintance of all those people .” AndI must write h i m often.

September 1 , o n the train

My two mistakes a t the Sixth Congress were peculiar. Ata session of the Greater A.C., prior to the East Africa vote, 1

told the popularity hounds Tschlen ow, Bernstein-Kohan, and company that anyone w h o voted against i t could n o t stay o n the A . C .

anylonger. As a result, they n o longer cared what might happen after-

wards, and they left the Congress hall, which i n turn led t o the big scene, The second mistake was t o give the floor t o Montefi ore instead of to an Interesti ng speaker w h o would have h e l d them i n the hall.

Thus the People who fled from good Sir Francis gave the impres-

1550 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ]. sion that they were joining the self-exiled opposition, which was actually n o t the case. B u t after the incident Sir Francis very decently allowed me to send h i m back t o the firing-line, just as i n general he is incomparably more decent than those petty Russian politicians* o n the A.C. who, a t t h e committee meeting, were first 1 n favor o f immediately

accepting the East Africa proposal and who later marched dramatically o u t of the hall as though their deepest feelings had been outraged. ¥*

¥*

¥%*

A t the A.C. meeting they voted against making the Plehwe letter public, a measure which I nevertheless forced through. %*

*

*

I was n o t able t o put through my proposal that the expenses for the expedition might be taken from our Bank. The 1diots failed t o understand that the value of its shares will increase many times over i f the Bank gets such a huge concession into its hands. And that this would give us, a t one stroke, our entire share capital plus large agio reserves. These are the sort of people I have t o work with.

September 5, Alt-Aussee T o Plehwe:**

Your Excellency: I n accordance w i t h the permission you kindly granted me to return t o t h e Z i o n i s t Q u e s t i o n a f t e r t h e Congress a t Basel, I have

the honor t o submit t o Y.E. t h e following account. T h e direction of the Congress was more laborious than ever, minds being unusually wrought u p as the result o f p a i n f u l occur ®

I n Englis h i n the origin al. I n Frenc h i n the origin al.

**¢

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1551

rences. Nevertheless I succeeded i n keeping order and restoring peace. I t is true that without the letter Y.E. was good enough to send me on August 12th I could n o t have accomplished this. B u t by making your letter public I managed t o c u t short a l l discussion. The most difficult moment came when I had t o lay before the

Congress the British government's offer concerning a territory i n Africa for our colonization. As I had the honor o f t e l l i n g Y.E., I had sought the aid of the Brit. govt. for obtaining Egyptian Pales-

tine (El-Arish). This request having been refused b y the Egypt. govt., the Brit. govt. was kind enough to offer us a territory i n East Africa. This proposal was contained i n a letter from Sir Clement Hill, dated

August 14 and s e n t t o Basel. A t the time I received this communication I did n o t know what I have since learned, that the territory is insufficient for our needs. Indeed, Sir Harry Johnston, its former governor and one of the best experts o n the country i n question, has just stated, i n the Times, that only twenty percent of the area covered by the offer could be utilized for our colonization and that other considerable difficulties forced h i m t o declare himself resolutely opposed t o the project—which could have provided, at most, for the settlement of only some thousands of families. Even though I was ignorant of these facts a t the opening of the Congress, I was sufficiently acquainted w i t h the Zionist movement to know in advance how

the English proposal would be received. They were unanimous i n their gratitude, they were moved t o tears —but East Africa is n o t Palest ine. After a rather h o t fight I was able t o p u t only the preliminary question to a vote: that is, to send a n exploratory commission —the final decision being left t o anoth er Congress i n a year o r two. I had the greatest difficulty i n bringing about this modest result, for there was a solid opposit ion even t o the courtesy of taking the

English Proposal under consideration. This opposition was comPosed almost exclusively o f Russian Zionists. A n d a t a private Ca

ucus of the Russian Zionists they even started a c c u s i n g me of [J

[

[J

1

treason|

1552 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL I report the facts i n all frankness, w i t h n o attempt at conceal

ment. There were 295 votes at the Congress i n favor and 177 votes against. T h e minority was almost entirely Russian. T h e few Russians who voted for acceptance did so largely o u t of a personal

attachment

to

me and because they were convinced that I would

never give the signal for a n emigration to Africa. T h e true s i t u a t i o n , then, emerges w i t h a b s o l u t e clarity. I f there

are any supporters of colonization i n Africa, they are found in other countries than Russia. The phenomenon is curious but unquestionable. I have had the opportunity t o learn the views on this subject even of several Russian Jewish revolutionaries now living abroad. I t seems t o me that they are against Africa and in favor of Palestine. The explanation of this bizarre attitude—because u p t o now they have been utterly indifferent t o Zionism—may perhaps be the following: an emigration t o Africa would never involve more than several thousand proletarians and would therefore serve no political purpose; whereas, i f a settlement of the Jewish people took place in Palestine, the radical elements would be forced to take part i n the movement i n order not t o b e too late i n getting into a new society which the conservative and reactionary bourgeois

elements would n o t have failed t o rush into. This Congress therefore has illuminated the truth of what I had the honor of explaining t o you a t St. Petersburg. A permanent emigration can be directed only t o Palestine. Great hopes now hang on the government's promise made in Y.E.’s letter of August 1 2 t h . The frustration of these hopes would upset t h e whole s i t u a t i o n . I would n o longer b e trusted: and the

revolutionary parties would gain everything that Zionism, repre sented by my friends and me, lost. The only wholesome solution, therefore, depends upon the efficacy of the promised intervention w i t h t h e O t t o m a n government. Y . E . was good e n o u g h t o inform m e i n t h e c o u r s e o f our

last conversation that t h e l e t t e r o f August 1 2 t h was addressed tO

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1553 ne with the consent and upon the command of H . M . the Emperor. A personal and direct interventi on by H . I . M . w i t h the Sultan would probably have a decisive effect, all the more so because we are willing t o offer financial benefits to the Ottoman Treasury . I envisage this interventio n i n the following manner. I f H . M . the Emperor of Russia deigned t o give me a letter recommen ding our Zionist project, I would deliver i t t o H . M . the Sultan, w h o previously received m e i n audienc e i n 1go1. If, at the same time, H i s Excellency the Ambassador of Russia at Constantinople received i n s t r u c t i o n s t o h e l p m e i n m y under-

taking, I would go to Constantinople w i t h great hopes for the out-

come of the negotiations. French diplomacy, so cordially devoted t o the interests of Russia, would naturally be favorably disposed t o our project. I believe that H.E. Count Lamsdorff could easily obtain this cooperation i f he so desired.

As far as Germany is concerned, I believe there will be no difficulties from that direction. I have just had the honor of seeing the GrandDuke of Baden a t the Mainau castle, and H . R . H . gave me t o understand that the German government, while not taking the Initiative in the matter, would gladly support the Russian proposal togrant Palestine t o the Jews. Finally, i t is n o t too daring t o say that the English cabinet, which has just given us such magnanim ous proof o f its sentiments

toward our unhappy people, would likewise help us i n our efforts toward settling i n Palestine. Thus i t depends only on the government of H . M . the Emperor of Russia whether the whole thing will be carried o u t promptly .

For years Lhave been preparing the ground a t Constantinople, and In governmental circles I count many friends o f our cause, which 'S$0advantageous to the econom ic interest s of Turkey . t o am vigorously supported , I believe it is possible to bring

a solution i n a short tim e.

. Thi ne Means that emigrati on could begin within the n e x t few Lo

Onths,

ces

1554 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HER7ZL

I humbly await the decisions of the I m p . govt., and beg Y.E. to accept the expression of m y high regard and devotion. T h . Herz l,

September

10,

Alt-Aussee, Styria

Letter to Hartwig ( w i t h partial use o f a draft b y Nordau):*

Alt-Aussee, September 11, 1gog Your Excellency: I have the honor t o return t o the subject of the interview you very kindly granted m e at St. Petersburg o n the subject of the Zionist cause. T h e letter which H.E. M . de Plehwe did me the honor of sending t o m e under the date o f August 1 2 ,

190g,

contains a very

positive government statement, and I have been authorized to make public use of it. Y.E. is without doubt familiar with the situation in those sec

tions of the Russian Empire where Jews are permitted t o live. This situation has become embarrassing for H . M . the Emperor's government. Squeezed within limits too restricted for their number, which increases slowly b u t steadily, despite a birth rate rather below

the average for the Empire, hindered i n their economic mobility, subjected t o murderous internal competition, the Russian Jews grovel i n misery so profound that i t can hardly become worse, the slightest lowering o f the level t o w h i c h they have already sunk

literally meaning death from hunger and cold. T h e Jew is, b y nature, ultra-conservative. B y temperament, as well as b y the precepts of his religion, h e is the most obedient

observer of the law that one could wish. B u t would i t be surprising if, i n his deep discouragement, in his absolute lack of hope for improving his lot or simply for living he became receptive t o radical ideas ? ®

I n French i n the origi nal.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1555 And even i f respect for law should always resist the evil suggestions of despair, t h e spectacle o f almost 6 m i l l i o n people, whose number continues t o grow steadily, having reached the depths of

human misery could only d o harm to the reputation of a gov-

ernment which claims for itself principles of morality and humanity—I cite the letter o f H . E . M . d e Plehwe.

This situation could be remedied by abolishing the restrictions on the Russian Jews’ right o f domicile. B u t I understand that the Imperial government does n o t b e l i e v e i t s e l f a b l e t o employ

this

radical and immediately effective measure. Then there remains only one other way, and one only: the systematic organization of Jewish emigration. But the only country i n the world that irresistibly attracts almost

all Russian Jews, with the exception of a tiny minority, is Palestine. All other countries attract only the lost children of Judaism. Only the Promised Land, the land o f t h e i r ancestors calls to a l l of them, the faithful.

Let H.M. the Emperor’s government afford us its support with H.M. the Sultan so that he may throw Palestine open t o Jewish immigration o n a large scale and grant them, under his exalted

suzerainty, administrative autonomy guaranteed under public law and extensive enough t o promise them definite security and the

possibility of normal national development, and the Russian Pale will be emptied of Jews i n the same measure as Palestine is prepared to receive them. There lies the salvation for the Russian Jews and the solution ofa problem otherwise insoluble for the Imperial government. And i f I may be permitted t o formulate the Zionist request, i t may be summarized as follows: [there follows “ T h e problem 1 s . . . ” 0 . . . “collect from the colonists .” o n p- 1 5 2 0 ] .

Tosum up, I have the honor t o suggest that Y.E. be kind enough t0address t o H . E . t h e Ambas sador o f H . M . t h e Empe ror t o H .M. the Sultan the instructions which H.E. M . de Plehwe caused me t o

hope tor by his letter mentioned before, written, as the Minister was kind enough to t e l l m e , w i t h the consent a n d b y the order of

HM. the Emperor of Russia.

1556 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL Begging Y.E. t o accept the expression of m y high esteem, Dr . Th . H. T o H . E . , Mr. N . G . d e Hartwich, Director o f the First Departm e n t of the M i n . of For. Aff., St. Petersburg *

*

*

Letter t o Kireyev:*

Your Excellency: Permit me t o recall myself t o your kind memory. I have already sent you a small remembrance from Basel: the book edition of my new play which has just been performed a t the Royal Theatre i n Berlin. I was unable to attend the premiere of Solon in Lydia because I had m y Zionist Congress meeting in Basel a t the same time. I much prefer literature t o politics, and when i n the course of my activities and peregrinations I meet someone whom I would like t o please—which is rare enough—1I inflict m y writings on him. Your Excellency, accept this excuse! Today I am writing t o H . E . M . de Hartwich t o whom you were kind enough to introduce me. I a m giving h i m a brief presentation of our requests and plans.

I f you can ein gutes Wort einlegen [put i n a good word], I beg you t o do so. While returning from the station after your sister's departure, you told m e several things about the relation between Christianity and Judaism which have since given m e food for thought. I did not

have my reply quite ready, but I think our thoughts are i n agree ment. I a m absorbed with the misery o f m y brethren, b u t not a $ a chauvin ist o r narrow- minded fanatic. This 1s perhaps proved b y m y plan to extraterritorialize the holy

places, t o make them res sacrae extra commerciu m gentium [holy places above the trafficki ng of the nations ]. ®

I n Frenc h i n the origin al.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1557 That would be a great symbol; and very old dreams would be realized. La Gerusalemme libera ta.* I would be very happy, General, to see you again someday soon

and to discuss the matters which are close t o our hearts. Until then I beg Y.E. for your continued good will and to accept the expres-

sion of my high esteem and sincere devotion. T h . Herzl.

Alt-Aussee, September 1 1

To Prince Philipp Eulenburg: Your Highness: I have wanted t o write you for the past t w o weeks, b u t I have had such heart trouble all this time that any activity was impossible for me.

Now I have finally pulled myself together and have just stumbled over a pile of press-cuttings** in which I found some-

thing terribly disagreeable. About

two

weeks ago the news circu-

lated through part of the German press that a t the Berlin Congress

aSocial Democrat yelled Pfui [Boo]! when I gratefully mentioned His Maj. the German Kaiser's interest i n our movement, which had become known i n 18¢8, and that I had n o t reprimanded the

heckler for this interruption. Only i l l will can interpret this as toleration, on m y part, of an insult t o the Kaiser, for i f par impossible [against a l l possibility] I had intended such disrespect, I

certainly would n o t have needed t o speak i n such a vein. I n the shout I saw n o t h i n g b u t a loutish criticism that was aimed at me, because I

was n o t Socialist enough for the man concerned.

This I was able t o overlook. Although, therefore, I need n o t fear that a misunderstanding * Translator’s Note: A reference to Torquato Tasso’s famous epic poem, JeruSalem Deli vere d.

** In English i n the original.

1558 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL could arise from the incident itself, because o f the spiteful news.

paper comments, may I nevertheless request Your Highness to ex. plain the facts t o H . M . the Kaiser when there is an opportunity, Perhaps this can be done o n the occasion of the report about the latest developments i n Zionism which Your Highness was going t o give t o H . M . the Kaiser. I have already taken the liberty t o send you the daily record of proceedings from Basel. Herewith I am enclosing a brief summary of the events. T h e promise of the English government t o make available to us (as a n autonomous colony) a fine territory i n B r i t i s h East Africa — a promise contained i n a letter from Sir Clement Hill as well as

in other unpublished documents—is as generous as i t 1s wise. With this asylum for the persecuted England will a t the same time be creating what is likely t o be a strong point of support for her East African interests. I confess that this policy fills me equally with gratitude and admiration. Yet we stubborn Jews are more attached t o the sand and chalk of Palestine, and therefore I would prefer von Plehwe’s letter— also printed i n the enclosure—if i t could be put into practice immediately. Still, i t is a n official declaration o n the part of the Russian government—it was given t o m e as such—and I believe

Your Highness will share my opinion that i t is an important declaration. Russia gives u p a l l claims to Palestine, since i t 1s even willing t o let an independent Jewish State come into being there.

W e poor people don’t even ask for that much. W e would be

satisfied just t o have Jewish autonomy under the suzerainty of the Sultan.

What support can and may we expect from Germany? As Your Highness knows, I have always placed great hopes in German assistance. I n our movement there is a German cultural element which is probably n o t being underestimated and has not escaped the piercin g eyes of the Kaiser. H . M . will be in Vienna with the Imperial Chancellor within 2

few days. Oriental affairs w i l l undoubtedly come u p for discussion. T h e incidents i n Beirut may make i t appear desirable to the Great

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1559 powers to help order and modern civilization make a breakthrough i n this area. Russia has publicly declared itself i n favor of

our being given Palestine. France c a n n o t take a stand against its ally. After the East Africa offer, n o objection may reasonably be expected from England. I f H . M . the German Kaiser also wins over the Triple Alliance for i t , we shall be all set. A great thing would be all set, Your Highness! As a statesman and a poet you survey t h i s cause which reaches from t h e distant

past into the distant future, and w i l l want to help.

With respect and gratitude I remain Your Highness's ever obedient servant, T h . Herzl.

September

12,

Alt-Aussee

Dear Lord Rothschil d:

This is the first day I have had a chance to thank you for your

congratulatory telegram which you sent me a t Basel. I was all the more pleased by these words of congratulation since your first wire had contained a doubt of the possibility that we had really gained so much from the Englis h govern ment.

Itisa great actuality whose full effect w i l l only become apparent in the discussion about the report of the Alien Immigration Commission. Unfortunate ly, a n attempt is b e i n g made through the short-sighted and arrogant scribbling of a few insignificant Jews I n the letter section o f the Times to throw a n unfavorable light on the matter. I t is obvious that this attempt will n o t be successful,

for the British government will not let itself be impressed by such inconsequential fellows, when every one o f our rallies shows what

masses obey our call. To offset these stupidities of our opponents, which are dictated only by envy, I would have liked t o publish your congratulatory telegram i f I had been authorized to d o so, so that people might ¢¢

how you feel about a matter that is n o t t o the taste of the little

1560 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ], Jewish letter-writers to the Times. B u t I had better leave it to your own discretion t o find a suitable form for your public announce. ment. Should you wish to send m e a letter for publication, a few

lines would suffice i n which you tell me that you are in sympathy with the East Africa project. I l va sans dire [ I t goes w i t h o u t saying] that I shall n o t publish

one word of yours which you haven't given me expressly for that purpose. I d o n ’ t know yet when I shall come t o London. I n any case, I w a n t t o speak with the members of the government before I dispatch the expedition t o investigate East Africa. With kindest regards,

Very sincerely yours, Herzl

September

12,

Alt-Aussee

T o the Grand D u k e of Baden: Most Illustrious Grand Duke, Most Gracious Prince and Lord:

For some time after I had the honor t o be received by Y.R.H. on the Isle of Mainau, indisposition prevented m e from doing any

work. Only now have I become acquainted with a bad notice that

circulated through some of the German papers about t w o weeks ago. I t says that at the Basel Congress I l e t a shout o f Pfui [Boo]! go unreprimanded; i t was uttered b y a Social Democrat when I gratefully mentioned H . M . the German Kaiser's interest i n our move: ment. I t i s q u i t e c l e a r t h a t t h i s shout w a s m e a n t o n l y for m e , b e

cause I wasn’t Socialistic enough for the shouter, and I was able to disregard this b i t of unmannerliness with contempt. Y . R . H . would again demonstrate to m e your oft-proven kindness b y giving H . M . the Kaiser a word o f explanati on a b o u t the true facts i n the case.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1561 am taking the liberty of enclosin g special copies of the chief documents which Y.R.H. wanted to send to Baron von Richthofen for his information. [

Von Plehwe’s letter, which was given t o m e as a n official declaration of the governme nt, reflects that Russia would even agree t o an independent Jewish State i n Palestine. ( W e would b e satisfied with autonomy under the suzerai nty o f the Sultan. ) Its ally France will not b e able to contradict Russia. England’s

inclination t o help us is evidenced b y the letter from Sir Clement Hill. H.M. the Kaiser will be i n Vienna with the Imperial Chancellor within the next few days. Presumably the Oriental question, which is acute again, w i l l be discussed. I f H . M . were also t o interest the Triple Alliance i n the Zionist Palestine project, we would be close to our goal. T h e

creation o f a status o f extraterritoriality for the

Holy Places of Christianity—as res sacrae extra commercium

gentium [holy places above the trafficking of the nations] is part of our program.

September 1 3 , Alt-Aussee To Koerber: Your Ex cel len cy:

L have the honor t o enclose a printed copy of a letter which the

Russian Minister von Plehwe addressed t o me.

This interesting docume nt m a y have escaped Your Excellen cy’s attention, because the Vienn a papers have kept silent about the Basel Zionist Congress and its attend ant circum stance s, someti mes for comical reasons. You see, there are several papers which don’t

Want to admit the existen ce o f a J e w i s h Quest ion. Years ago I h ad 40 Opportunity of reporting t o Your Excellency about the Zionist

po ond thereafter you bestowed a friendly judgment o n i t . tte ang « act, the Jewish Question exists i n Austria too i n a n Semit

mbittering enough form, even though after the anti1C victories i° n *

.

the electio ns a partia l surfac e calm has come :

1562 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL, about for the present. Thus our movement, which aims a t a per-

manent solution, has gradually grown 1n Austria—more in the provinces than in the capital, and i n Vienna more in the outlying districts than i n the center. T o b e sure, thanks to a grossly false

representation i n the Jewish Communities this state of affairs is n o t quite apparent. ( I anticipate presenting t o Your Excellency o n some other occasion m y views o n the incredible, scandalous

situation in these Communities and their possible remedy by a more honest election system.) A t any rate, Austria is seriously involved i n the distress of the Eastern Jews, n o t only i n the frightful, enormous Galician reservoir, b u t also as the most immediate place o f refuge of the per-

secuted Russian and Rumanian Jews. I feel that I may regard all this as granted, and I should like to base what follows on it. I t follows from von Plehwe’s letter, which was given t o me as a n official government declaration, with the consent o f and on instructions from H . M . the Emperor o f Russia, to b e published as

I saw fit, that the Russian government has assured the Zionist m o v e m e n t of its support. Therefore the question is likely t o be brought closer t o the Austro-Hungarian government as well, through diplomatic channels. For this reason I beg Your Excellency t o be kind enough t o inform H . Exc. Count Goluchowski of what I thought I should herewith submit t o you first. After all, this solution of the Jewish Question is the concern of both domestic and foreign policy, and while domestically i t will eliminate a latent, b u t constantly erupting trouble, i t w i l l 1n no way injure any foreign interests of the monarchy.

A settlement of Jewish masses i n Palestine can only mean a stimulation and increase of the commercial relations of the monarchy which are not developed t o any notable extent i n that area a t the present time. ‘The only non-material question which can be of importance to a Christian Power is that of the H o l y Places. T h e solution of this

question is supplied by the extraterritorialization of all Holy Places

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1563 of Christianity: they are t o b e res sacrae extra commercium gentium [holy places above the trafhicking of the nations]. During the years i n which m y efforts everywhere attracted more attention than they d i d i n Austria, I succeeded first i n arousing the benevolent interest o f the Imperial German government, and finally—almost simultaneously w i t h the Russian support—in ob-

raining England’s magnificent offer of help for the needy Jewish people. Under these circumstances 1 may hope for the support of the government of m y fatherland, too, i n an undertaking which, proceeding from Jewish interests b u t n o t confined t o them, aspires to the universally human goal of great help for great distress. Begging Your Excellency t o accept the expression of my deepest respect, I am

Your very obedient servant, Theodor Herzl.

September

15,

Alt-Aussee

Circular letter t o the I.C.A. people: Dear Sir:

Perhaps I may assume that you have followed the deliberations of the Sixth Zionist Congress a t Basel. In any case, I am enclosing a resumé which will inform you about a few majo r happenings. On our road t o Palestine, which we continue t o pursue steadfastly and with a l l our energy, w e have achieved a n interim result. The British government has offered us a n autonomous colony in

o p h i c (cf. Sir Clement Hill's letter of August 14th of this year).

This truly magnanimous offer was acknowledged by the ConBT€Ss unanimously and with the deepest gratitude; and i t was deCided by majority vote first t o send o u t an expedition t o explore

the territory offered.

|

1564 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL After a report is received, a special Congress w i l l b e called to

decide on the question of settlement. However, o n the basis o f t h e literature a n d o f the government reports, this much is already certain: this territory is fertile and

well suited for the settlement of Europeans. I t may therefore be assumed that the long-sought place of refuge for the most unfortunate among our fellow Jews, w h o are suffering material distress

and roaming about homeless, has been found—although, as I remarked i n my opening address, “ i t 1s n o t Zion and never can be.” O n the occasion of the El-Arish project, which unfortunately came t o naught, I had the pleasure of speaking w i t h the majority of the members of your Board of Directors; and unless I am mistaken, all of you view the thought of creating such a place of refuge with favor, since i t 1s the task of the I.C.A. t o colonize Jews. You, t o be sure, say “anywhere,” whereas m y friends and I say “in Palestine.” The way things are a t present, and without encroaching i n any way upon the political decision of our next Congress, I believe that

I am acting i n the spirit of the purely philanthropic cause that you serve when I ask you whether you would care to participate in raising the funds for the expedition. N o matter how the political decision m a y t u r n out, t h i s preliminary w o r k will i n n o case be

valueless for relief work on a large scale. The various funds of our organization m u s t n o t be drawn o n t o defray the expenses of this expedition, since n o Palestinian territory is involved. Therefore the Actions Committee is faced w i t h the task of raising these expenses i n some other way. O u r El-Arish expedition cost about £4000. Since here a n area even remoter from civilization

1s involved, and since, utilizing the t w o dry seasons, t w o expeditions will probably have t o be s e n t out—first a predominantly scientific one, then a predominantly practical one—the expenses are likely t o be substantially higher. Given the state of affairs described above, I d o not consider i t

appropriate t o establish a Société d'études [Study Commission], as 1s usually done when one has business ends in view. O n the other hand, there is also something dubious about accepting donations

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1565 foraproject which, because o f its size, 1s bound to assume a busi-

When the time comes, we shall either refun d the contributions of those donors who came forward immedia tely

qess character later.

after the Congress, o r donate the money to the Nation al Fund. Therefore I envision the contribu tion o f the I.C.A., w h i c h I budget at about £8000, as a deposit o n the separate account o f the East

African Expedition a t the Jewish Colonial Trust i n London. I f it is decided later to set u p a Jewish East Africa Company— and

theI.C.A. would also be invited t o join i n founding it—the Company will pay back the contribution s for the expedition. Should no such company be set up, the I.C.A. will have t o regard its contribution as lost, b u t w i l l presumably find sufhcient compensation in the results of the expedition, because the assurances of the English government w i l l have created a great foundation for

philanthropic colonization i n any case. If the I.C.A. contributes t o the costs of the expedition 1n the manner outlined above, i t w i l l receive a detailed accounting as well as the reports of the expedition. l a m sending a n identical copy o f to all members of

this s t r i c t l y confidential letter

the Board of Directors i n order t o expedite the

matter.

With deep respect, Yours faithfully, T h . Herzl.

September

22,

Alt-Aussee

Colonel Goldsmid writes that h e has been i n v i t e d t o Balmora l

by the King. I am wir ing him : * Try to get h i m for o u r previous scheme i n w h i c h you collabo-

e e A combination of both the former and the present scheme

Id

.

.

0uld be a complete success, being

4 material interests.

a satisfaction for ideal as well :

:

:

Tell him also that I shall come t o Engla nd a t end of Octob er.

* Original text.

1566 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ]. Please dont spare telegrams; there may be a necessity of quick decisions. I remain still Alt-Aussee Styria.

Benjamin.

September 23, Alt-Aussee T w o days ago I had a visit from H . Steiner whom I am sending to N e w York as manager.* I have pushed through the branch office

and h i m against all opposition, because I think he is capable. I have paved his way t o a great material future and right off have given h i m the best-paid position we have ever had. I am curious to see how ungrateful he will be. ¥%

*

*

Yesterday Kurt Toeppen, from German East Africa, came to see me. A n East Prussian who in appearance and tone reminds me o f Philipp Eulenburg. H e seems to b e capable, intelligent, unaffected, and a mercenary soldier type. H e married an Arab girl and became a Mohammedan. I t h i n k h e would become a Jew, too. Yet his matter-of-fact clarity made me l i k e h i m . H e shall be the quartermaster of the expedition, even i f Aaron o f Johannesburg should equip and run the expedition. This would relieve me of the financial worries of the expedition and I wouldn’t need the I.C.A. any more.

Oct obe r 1g, Alt-Aussee I am still being detained here by m y wife's illness. *

%

*

Dr. Margulies (Florence) has seen the K i n g of Italy, asked h i m te receive m e (the K i n g already knew a l l about the Congress from t h ®

I n English i n the original.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1567 newspapers), a n d received as a n answer: “Se verra a Roma, l o vedro

solontieri [1f he comes to Rome, I shall be glad to see h i m ] . ” I want to induce the King of I t a l y first of a l l to declare himself in favor of Zionism, 1.e., t o permit m e t o publish our conversation, and afterwards to call a conference o n the subject of Turkey. *

¥*

¥*

When I return t o Vienna, I will try t o see Goluchowski and ask him for an introduc tion t o the Pope.

October

19,

Alt-Aussee

Letter to Kireyev: *

Your Excellency: I am very happy t o know that m y book was of interest t o you. Would you kindly get H . M . the Empress t o read it? I have heard nothing from M . de Hartwig, and this waiting 1s a burden on me. I would like t o act, d o something, put a stop t o this immense Jewish suffering, make good and beautiful things grow out of the rejuvenated old earth, useful not only to us. B u t without

the aid of the Russian government I can do nothing. Ishall return t o Vienna soon. M y address is Haizingergasse 29, Vienna-Wihring. Begging Your Excellency for your continued good-will and assuring you of m y gratitude and high esteem, I a m

Very devotedly yours, Th. Herzl. *

*

*

Letter to Lev en (I1.C.A)): Dear Sir:

Tomy regret I can only regard your reply, dated September 25, 10 my circular letter to the gentlemen of the I.C.A.’s Board of Directors as a reje ctio n of m y proposal. *InFrench i n the ori gin

al.

1568 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL I n Point

2

you make your participation dependent o n the proj-

ect’s having n o political character. I t has been known for years that o u r movement does have a political character. Therefore you

make an impossible condition. O f course, the scheme, i f w e finally carry i t out—our next Con-

gress w i l l decide this—also contains a big relief project, many times greater than all previous ones combined. I am offering you the opportunity t o participate i n i t without imposing any condition upon you that might run counter t o your established principles. You, however, wish t o impose such a condition upon us—that is, you refuse. Respectfully yours, Herzl. *

*

¥*

October 24, o n t h e train t o Vienna

T o Plehwe: *

Your Excellency: I n the letter which you did me the honor of addressing t o me under the date of Oct. 5/18 you ask me for information about the attitude of the Russian Zionists a t the last Congress a t Basel. T o my knowledge—and I say this on my word as an honorable m a n — n o t one of the Russian delegates t o the Congress neglected his moral and legal duties as a Russian citizen. I f any such fact had been called to m y attention, I would not have hesitated to stir u p immediately a general, public protest by our followers, because nothing would be more contrary t o the interest of our movement, especially after the promise of the Russ i a n government, which I was very happy t o be able t o announce a t Basel.

Naturally, a place like the meeting-place of the Congress, i n a country l i k e Switzerland, is accessible to everyone. I t is the gathering-place of very distinguished writers and the merely curious, of * I n French i n the origin al.

1569 THE COMPLETE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L representatives and missionaries o f every stripe, and, above all, 1t is the gathering-place of m y political and personal enemies. Y.E. will not wish t o hold either me or our m o v e m e n t responsible for the acts, discussions, even the unseemly remarks which can occur in such international and interso cietal surroun dings. B u t that is neither here nor there. T h e Zionists d o not allow themselve s to turn from their path so long as they have hope of

reaching their

proposed goal. Moreover, Y.E., w i t h your great knowledge o f affairs and o f men, will know how to separate the true from the false i n reports which are sometimes biased. O n e cannot reply t o vague, anonymous accusations. I f there is some specific accusation, I beg Y.E. t o l e t m e

know it in complete confidence, and I have n o doubt that I can answer it, so sure am I of the loyalty o f true Zionists, even those w h o opposeme.

The fact 1s that everyone is now waiting with great anxiety for the outcome of the promised action. T h e form of support which I took the liberty of submitting for Y.E.’s approval was drawn from my observations and experiences i n the East. H . I . M . the Sultan will scarcely be affected by a less weighty recommendation. The Sublime Porte is used to receiving recommend ations, and even notices, that do n o t change the course of events i n the slightest. I t Is only at the peremptory order of H . I . M . the Sultan, who would

beinvited by his powerful friend H . M . the Emperor of Russia t o sue it, that the Ottoma n government would devote its serious attention to the matter which offers financi al benefit s t o t h e Imperi al Treasury. Nevertheless, I shall n o t take the liberty of insisti ng o n

the form of the intervention, though the one I have proposed is the only one that would give me cause t o hope for any result.

Y.E. will perhaps see fit t o send for me i n order t o present me t o

HM. the Emperor, and after that audience, which would b e made

known to H L M . the Sultan, I would go

Negotiate,

to

Constantinople t o

fg I a m a t Y.E.’s orders and ! am waiting for decisions. ad migery o o own account that I am impatient. T h e discontent our poor people grow from day t o day. What a mis-

1570 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL fortune i t would be if i n their despair they let themselves be seduced by subversive ideas. B u t permanent emigration is the way t o resolve all the diffi. culties; yet the only possible kind is that directed toward Palestine. I beg Y.E. to accept the expression o f m y deep respect.

T h . Herzl. Dated October 28, 1 9 0 3 3*

*

*

Vienna, November

25

T o Gen. A . Kireyev: * Your Excellency:

First of all, please accept my very sincere thanks for your great and enduring kindness. Not having seen anything come, I already had some suspicion that our affairs were going badly. I t is probably hard to h u n t several rabbits at once, even i n

Turkey. The proposed intervention now certainly has a humanitarian character that everyone ought t o recognize, and then i t would be a rare case when one good a c t can only be performed at the expense of the other. B u t one might object:

1) that since you are a t it, you could perfectly well solve both questions at once, k i l l i n g two birds w i t h one stone; 2) that action i n favor of Zionism would permit the solution

of the Jewish Question, which is one of the great domestic political worries o f your country, as H . E . M . d e Plehwe himself has told me.

I f you can, Your Excellency, do make these considerations carry some weight, I beg of you. And i n any case, maintain your good will.

Yours respectfully and faithfully, T h . Herzl. %*

* I n French in the origina l.

*

*

THE cOMPL ETE DIARI ES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1571 December 3 To Plehwe: *

Your Excellency: have the honor to inform you that m y friend D r . N . Katzene l-

«ohn of Libau will i n the near future request the favor of an audience with Y.E. I have asked h i m t o go to St. Petersburg. He deserves every confidence. Pray accept, Your Excellency, the expression of m y high regard. T h . Herzl.

To Mme. Korvin:* Dear Madam:

Thanks for your kind letter. I have asked m y friend and confidential agent, D r . Katzenelsohn o f Libau, t o g o t o St. Petersburg. Ido not answer for other people w h o might n o w try t o meddle i n

our affairs. I t might be useful t o warn your great friend that Katenelsohn is the only man I have commissioned t o represent the Central Committee and mys elf.

[thought I should advise you of this, because I suppose that your great friend has time only for serious conversations.

I'temain, dear madam, Your very grateful servant, Th. H .

December 4,Vienna

o o Russian members of the A.C. particularly Ussishkin, acobson, etc. are i n op en re *In French in the or ig in al .

be llio n.

1572 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL They want to give m e a n ultimatum: I must drop the idea of

East Africa (although, or because, a t Edlach I showed Belkowsky the letter I wrote t o Plehwe o n September 5th). T h e y have first acquired a l l the b a d characteristics o f profes-

sional politicians. I shall first of a l l mobilize the lower masses against these inciters t o rebellion; I

have sent instructions t o Awinowitzky i n Odessa.

I n addition, I shall c u t off their supply o f money, etc.

December Mme. Korvin writes that the Russian members of the A.C. are trying t o get t o Plehwe through her. Plehwe has instructed her t o tell me that within the n e x t few days the ambassador a t Constantinople will intervene in our behalf. I am wiring her: *

Thanks for news. M y friend Katzenelsohn of Libau will come to see you soon. Receive n o one b u t h i m o r else our friend Jasinov-

sky. I remain yours gratefully and devotedly, Her zl.

Dece mber

11,

Vienn a

T o Goluchowski:

Your Excellency: I beg t o request Your Excellency for an audience—on the sub:

ject of the Zionist

movement,

about which I reported

to

H.E.

Prime Minister von Koerber, o n September 12th, w i t h the request to inform Your Excellency. A copy o f the reply I received 1s e n closed herew ith. I should n o w like to report to Your Excellency o n the present state of affairs, particularly o n the support which m a y b e expected ®

I n French i n the origin al.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1573 trom the Russian, German, and English governments, and on the basis of documents which must b e treated as confidential and

whichI can present only in person. Begging Y.E. to accept the expression of m y deepest respect, D r . Theod or Herzl .

To Plehwe: *

Your Excellency:

The letter which you did me the honor of addressing t o me under the date of November 2g/December 6 has arrived. I have first of all t o express m y deep gratitude for the action i n favor of Zionism a t Constantinople and also for the trust with which you write me. I t is of course understood that I shall n o t make that letter public without authorization. B u t then, how will i t be known that this action has been taken? For I must confess in all sincerity that I have few illusions about the actual effect of intervention in that form, being familiar with the ways and customs of Turkey's very clever diplomacy. The Russian ambassador's

intervention, well-intentioned

though i t may be, stands a very good chance of joining the documents of

other fruitless interventions i n the archives of the Sublime Porte. I n m y humble opinion, the only effective way t o make H I M . the Sultan take the matter seriously would be a personal act of H . M . the Emperor o f Russia, either i n a letter to the Sultan

or in an audience granted t o me, which I would be authorized t o make public. B u t although I mention this idea once again, I

@nonly bow respectfully i f i t is brushed aside. Nevertheless, m y desire t o work toward the soothing of tempers

persists; that is why I suggest that Y.E. authorize me t o make public the letter of November 2 3 /December 6, suppressing the passage which obliges me t o keep i t secret, or else send me a letter that may

bemadepublic. *In French in the ori gin al.

1574 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL Thereby everyone would see a t least the I m p . govt.’s excellent intentions t o help resolve the unfortunate Jewish Question by the great humanitarian measure o f Zionism, a n d that w o u l d produce

a certain effect o n universal public opinion right a t this moment.

I beg Y.E. t o accept the expression of m y great e s t e e m and devotion. T h . Herzl.

December 12, Vienna T o Izzet: *

M y dear friend, i f we reach a n agreement, I shall place ten

thousand pounds a t your disposal the day i t is signed. I am prepared t o put this promise in any legal form you may choose to indicate; for example, i n the name o f your son o r anyone a t all. LJ

*

*

Letter for public display with which I am enclosing the above: *

Your Excellency, Permit me t o ask you the news about m y most respectful proposal addressed o n February 16, 1gog t o your August Master and t o H i s Highness the Grand Vizier.

I thought I understood that considerations of foreign policy, particularly with regard t o Russia, had prevented the I m p . Govt. from taking up the question. For this reason I have striven, with the help of friends that I have i n every country, t o dispel these difficulties. That has been done. These difficulties n o longer exist, and you will shortly have official confirmation of this, i f you have not alread y receiv ed it.

So I now repeat my proposal which offers i n addition ®

I n French i n the original.

to

the

THE COMPLETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1575

eation of a new source of income for the Imper ial Treasu ry—a possibility for the basis of a loan— other benefits as well: i n a word, the economic reorgani zation o f your fine country w h i c h I a m so

fond of. A territory we can find elsewhere. W e have found i t . You have undoubtedly read i n the papers that the English governm ent has offeredme a territory of 6 0 , 0 0 0 t o g o , 0 0 0 square leagues* i n Africa, a rich, fertile country, excellent for our colonizatio n. B u t nevertheless, I come back once more to m y plan for finding the salvation

of the Jewish people among the brothers of our race and our coreligionists who live under the sceptre o f the Caliph, bringing to them what we have, that is t o say, the spirit o f enterprise,

industry, economic progress. Begging Your Excellency t o accept the expression o f m y great devotion and high esteem, T h . Herzl. * Translator’'s Note: Roughly 180,000 to

270,000

square miles.

Book Eighteen Begun in Vienna December

12, 1903

December 1 2 , Vienna

Most Illus trio us Gra nd Duk e,

Most Gracious Prince and Lor d:

Dated December

14

The hint contained in Y.R.H.’s most gracious holograph letter of September goth of this year—that a great deal 1s likely t o depend on Russia’s intervention o n behalf o f Zionism at Constantino ple—

have since then regarded as setting the direction for m y efforts,

and todayI permit myself t o report respectfully that we have made a bit of progress. I a m informed that the Russian ambassador a t

Constantinople within the next few days will—if i t has n o t already happened—present to the Sublime Porte the desire of his government that agreement for a settlement i n Palestine be concluded with us.

MayI now turn t o the often-proved graciousness of Y.R.H. with therequest t o come t o our aid again a t this important turning point in our movement? The support of the German Empire would perhaps induce the hesitating Sultan t o make a decision i n the matter. Herr v o n Marshall’s intervention

would b e o f the greatest

significance now . England's sympathies m a y presumably b e counted upon, after

her generous offer of land in East Africa. Entrusting my endeavors once again to the kindness and wisdom ofY.R.H., I remain with deepest respect and most heart-felt gratitude

Your obedient servant, D r . Theodor Herzl.

December 16, Vienna

Greenberg wants me t o withdra w from the East African plan in dh open letter t o Franci s Monte fiore.

lam wiring him : * * Original text.

1579

1580 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL. Letter received. I shall n o t publish your draft. Gasters meeting is no sufficient reason. I have only t o consider m y situation with Mandel and Basel. I can neither accept nor withdraw. M y point is that Mandel has t o withdraw his offer or t o give something else,

Am writing instructions for Sunday. A m

not

frightened of such

.

a blunder.

December 16, Vienna

Greenberg, whom I instructed to play down East Africa when he was here, appears t o have already committed himself too much t o the English government before they gave us something else. For the time being I a m not releasing them from their word.

I won't let myself be intimidated by demonstrations, whether they come from Gaster or from Ussishkin. *

%*

*

The situation is perhaps more favorable now than ever. If Russia really helps us in Constantinople, we may be in clover. T w o days ago I ran i n t o General Shiikri Pasha, the Turkish military attaché and son of the Minister of War, o n the street. He

walked along with me. Almanaccando [thinking o u t loud] I asked him to write his father that I have eliminated the international obstacles and that Russia would n o longer make any trouble for us, b u t would in fact support us. H e promised to d o so.

Then, choses et autres [one thing and another]. W e spoke about Djevdet and the ambassador whose face h e had slapped. Shiikri

inveighed frightfully against Mahmud Nedim. I ought t o get him o u t of Vienna. I f I managed t o do so, he, Shiikri, would be my friend forever and w i l l i n g t o perform any counter-service. I promi sed to consid er it. %

Marg ulies repor ts

¥*

Hk

today that h e has recei ved a letter from the

King of Italy through the Adjutant-General: the King will be glad

THE cOMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1581 receive me any time I come. However, Adjutant-General Brusati

recommends January as the best time. Jaime autant ¢ a [I like this very much], because just now another opportunity has opened u p t o become head of a newspaper, which requires m y presence i n Vienna a t Christmastime

andNew Year's.

. December 18, Vienna

Greenberg repor ts: * Hope you do not think I was so stupid as to suggest publication

without getting something from Mandel. The question is only what h e has received from Mandel (F.0.). *

¥*

¥*

Katzenelsohn has been summoned to St. Petersburg to see Plehwe. Perhaps things will start rolling now.

December 25, Vienna My letter to Nordau i n Bluebook I I contains the facts about the latest events, t h e attempt o n Nordau’s life, etc. %*

*

*

Shiikri Pasha called o n m e today and asked m e for a memorandum for his father , the Minis ter o f War. Shiikri will be m y friend i f I get rid o f Mahmud Nedim.

a

giving him the memorandum of February 16, 1903, Bk. The scheme may be summe d u p as follows . ** T h e Proposal.

l All we ask is to colonize the Sanja k of Acre, along with the crown ands.I n return for a charter o f coloniz ation, granted to the Jewish » Origina] text. 0 French in the or ig in al .

1582 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL Colonial Trust of London for the aforesaid Sanjak of Acre, we pledge ourselves t o pay an annual tribute of 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 Turk, pds. This annuity could be the basis for a loan which we will procure

for the Imp. Govt. The colonists will become Ottoman subjects. I n addition, we are ready to found a new bank, with registered offices at Constantinople and London, t o serve the financial inter. ests of Turkey. Also, a covering letter t o Shiikri:

Your Excellency: * I t seems t o m e that i t 1s best t o formulate the essence of the

project in a few words. The details will follow if they wish

to

gc

Into it.

I remain Your Excellency’s sincerely devoted

H. December 26, 1903.

Decem ber 26, Vienna T o Sinoviev: ¥

Your Excellency:

Permit me t o introduce myself by letter until such time as I ma have the honor of presenting myself in person. I am the leader 0 the Zionist movement which seeks a solution o f the distressing

Jewish Question b y colonization i n Palestine. A t St. Petersburg. was fortunate enough t o obtain the assistance of the Imp. Govt H . E . the Minister of the Interior has, upon orders from H . M . the Emperor, set down a resumé o f our conversations i n a letter date

July 30/August 1 2 , which I have been authorized to make public

Under date of November 23/December 6, ®

I n Frenc h in the origin al.

1903,

H.E. M . de

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1583 Plehwe did me the honor of addressing the following very confi-

dential communication t o me:

«

. Count Lamsdorff and I have agreed to inform the Sublime Porte, through the Russian ambassador at Constantinople, of the

friendly reception which the I m p . Govt. has given the Zionists’ project to resettle their co-religionists i n Palestine. “In the dispatch which the Minister of Foreign Affairs will address to this effect to the Acting Privy Councillor Sinoviev there ismention of the fact that i n favorably receiving the Zionist request the Ottoman Porte attests t o the bond o f friendship that exists

between the two Empires .” As regards us Zionists, all we ask of the govt. of H.I.M. the Sultan isa Charter of Colonization for the Sanjak of Acre. In return for this Charter we are willing t o pledge ourselves t o pay to the Ottoman Treasury an annual tribute of one hundred

thousand Turkish pounds. May I now be permitted to ask Your Excellency whether you

have already been good enough t o approach the Sublime Porte, and with what result.

Iam quite ready t o go t o Constantinople i f i t becomes necessary, and then I shall n o t fail t o solicit Y.E.’s good will.

Begging Y.E. t o accept the expression of my high esteem, Dr. Th. H .

December 2%, Vienna Telegram to Cowen and Greenber g: *

Couldn't you arrange tonight a t Meeting Cavendish Rooms Someone to ask Gaster strongly, u p o n what grounds he pretends 1

went submissive hat in han d t o Ica. Force h i m to answer immediately, because i t is a l i e and 1 shall

publish next Friday m y correspondence with Ica. Ben jam in. ‘ O riginal text.

1584 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

December 24, Vienna [To Plehwe:]*

Your Excellency: Permit m e to thank you sincerely for having given so kind a

reception t o m y friend, Mr. Katzenelsohn. H e has given me a report of his conversations with Y.E., and I have certainly encountered in i t all the benevolence with which you honor me. Mr. Katzenelson writes me that Y.E. 1s surprised that I have not already left for Constantinople. I c a n n o t go there with. o u t having been invited by the Sultan, because o n three occasions I have gone there only upon his invitation. I would be giving the impression of wanting t o obtrude myself, and that would spoil the matter right at the start. N o , I must wait, and I w a i t w i t h o u t great

hopes, although I am infinitely grateful for all the trouble Y.E. has taken I n this direction. Only yesterday I inquired of H.E. M. Sinoviev by letter whether he has already taken any steps on our behalf, using as justification Y.E.s very confidential communication. I took care t o have this letter reach h i m b y a confidential agent. I must also thank Y.E. for the promised assistance in the matter of the Russian branch of our Jewish Colonial Trust. This branch must in effect be the financial instrument of the emigration; and i f we obtain the territory, the instrument of the emigration must be a l l ready. A t the same time, the members of the

board of directors of this branch w i l l be able

to

serve as represen-

tatives of our movement, w i t h o u t which i t w o u l d b e necessary to

work o u t complicated political regulations. I t goes without saying that the branch’s by-laws will i n all points conform t o Russian law and usage. I have the honor t o propose the following as representatives: D r . N . Katzenels on o f L i b a u D r . M . Mandelsta mm o f K i e v

Mr. Jasinowski, attorney, of Warsaw ®

I n French i n the original.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1585 Mr. L . Schalit, businessman, of Riga

Mr. Ben Jacob, businessman, of Vilna M r . Louis Loewy, engineer, of Kursk Mr. Reines, rabbi, o f Lidda.

The last-named represents the Orthodox element. A l l are honest people and deserving o f absolute trust. I f I nevertheless mention one of them i n particular, 1t 1s because h e has recently been the object of attacks i n the newspapers. I t is D r . Mandelstamm, the best of men, with a heart o f gold, honest, unselfish, level-headed.

He is a scholar of advanced years, and we all venerate him. Y.E. will accept or reject the proposed members a t your discretion. Once they have been approved, I shall ask them t o go t o St. Petersburg and ask Y.E. for a group audience i n order t o submit the request for the authorization of the branch. May I also be permitted t o direct Y.E.’s attention t o a piece of news which obviously 1s a fabrication, b u t is now making the rounds of the European press. The rumor is being circulated that there will be more massacres a t Kishinev o n the occasion of the Russian Christmas celebration. T o me, this is a n abominable

falsehood; but I think i t is m y duty t o advise you of i t , now that I am acquainted with your very humanitarian views.

Begging Your Excellency t o accept the expression of my high and sincere gratitude,

¢steem

T h . Herzl. December 24

December go, Vienna To Mme. Ko rv in*.

DearMadam,

Unknown people are circulating the rumor in the European and

American press that there w i l l again be massacres a t Kishinev. As faras I am concerned, this is a stupid and abominable falsehood. *I n French i n th e or ig in al .

1586 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL I am telling this point-blank t o the English and American journalists w h o are coming to interview me, so that they may pub-

lish i t . I n acting this way and striving t o soothe tempers, I believe | a m paying a debt of loyalty to your great friend w h o is himself doing his best for the only possible solution. However, u p to this moment

nothing has come from Constantinople.

Have you received my book? I hope i t gives you pleasure. I kiss your kind, beneficent hand and remain

Sent off on January

1,

Yours gratefully and devotedly, Th. Herzl. 1 9 0 4 , i n revised form.

December 3 1 T o Joe:*

M y good Joe,

don’t make me meschugge [crazy], my labour is hard enough. M y colleagues of the A.C. are for the publication of the East African scheme’s failure, and so is Nordau. Others are for continuation of the negotiations. B u t what good would that do? Mandel won’t give u p Samson. I guessed that as early as October. Kindly re-read the letter I wrote t o you on October 14th. How good and wise i t would have been if you triumuviri [triumvirate] i n London had acceded t o m y wish and

followed my advice. B u t no, you thought that I wasn’t seeing things

right. Today it is clear that I did, and that my idea was the right one. When Greenberg assured me that Mandel would keep his word, I told h i m that I wasn’t going t o give i t u p voluntarily. But 3 weeks ago, when h e was here, Greenberg reported t o m e that

Mandel had already given u p Samson. All that was left

to

do then

was t o salvage what one still could from it. You must never forget h o w terribly difficult m y position is. I

won't yield t o the threats of the Kharkov people, b u t even those ®

Salutatio n and first paragrap h i n English i n the original.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1587 loyal to the Congress m a y seriously reproach m e if I suppress such

important news for weeks. I have no sufficient information from Greenberg. I literally don’t know where we n o w stand, a n d yet I a m pressed from all sides t o make decisions.

Four days ago Greenberg was a t Brown’s i n Birmingham and wired me: “interview very satisfactory .”* Nothing else. How can I make decisions o n the basis o f that? W h a t Greenberg finds very

satisfactory,* 1 may perhaps not find so. In short, the difficulties are becoming greater and greater, and

then my best people (e.g., Joe) write me irritated letters into the bargain. Naturally i t would be good i f I had the central office in London. But surely that could be done only i f I had my livelihood there. That I should ever let myself b e supported b y our movement, i n any way whatever, is the most ridiculous idea.

In the first place, I don’t have the character required for this. In the second place, even i f I had the character, may G o d gra-

aously protect and preserve me from it. Happy new year!*

Your loyal Benjami n.

January 4, 1904, Vienna ToPlehwe: **

Your Excellency: I have the honor to submit t o you the information that I obtained at Co nst ant ino ple .

The confidential representative whom I charged with trans-

J n English i n the ori gin al. In French i n the or igi

na l.

1588 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL mitting m y letter t o H.E. M . Sinoviev, the Russian ambassador, received this reply: “They have written m e about i t from St. Peters. burg; b u t u p to n o w I have not done anything, and i t w i l l not be

easy todo anything.” Under these circumstances, and despite m y good will, I cannot do anything on behalf of the emigration, and the situation of the Jews will remain as sad and distressing as i t has been u p t o now. Moreover, the reply of H.E. M . Sinoviev proves the accuracy of the considerations which I permitted myself t o submit t o Your Excellency. A n ordinary intervention with the Sublime Porte offers so little hope that the Ambassador was n o t even willing t o attempt it.

Begging Y.E. t o accept the expression of m y high esteem and my devotion, T h . Herzl.

January 4, Vienna T o Mme. Korvin:*

M y Dear Madam,

Bad news from Constantinople. I s e n t a confidential agent t o your representative down there, and the latter replied that he hadn’t done anything yet; he doesn’t seem 1nclined t o attempt a serious intervention. What t o do next? I am 1n a very embarrassing situation, especially since I have telegraphed t o America about the favorable disposition which people n o w have i n your country to make permanent emigration

easy, saying that steps have already been taken t o this end. This must make me look like an impostor. What do you think of all this? Perhaps you could make inquiries of your great friend. Iam

Very gratefully and devotedly yours, Herzl. * I n French i n the original.

1589 "HE COMPLETE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R HER ZL [Pasted in]. The solution of the Kha rkov ridd le: |

Rosenbaum’s res um e. Various circumstances and Prof. Belkovs ky’s report a t Kharko v havemade us recognize these two m a i n poin ts:

1) That you no longer wan t us. 9) That your views on the Zionist 1dea differ from ours, and that you want t o work for Palestine as only one of a number of possibilities. Vienna, January 4, 1 9 0 4 S. Rosenbaum. January 2 0 ,

1904

o n the train,

approaching Florence Iwas extremely busy i n Vienna until the very last minute; then a 24-hour breathing spell i n

Venice.

Trulya blue Monday. Inthe eveningI couldn’t be bothered t o put o n my dinner jacket

for the 114 Englishmen in the Grand Hotel, so I w e n t t o Bauer's Austrian Beer House. As entered, someone leaned forward i n a corner where a party Was sitting. I

didn’t immediate ly recognize h i m . Then a waiter ame over and asked me whether I was Herzl of Vienna. In order to be left i n peace, m y first impulse was to say no, b u t

thenI did admit my identity. nd

50

there came t o m y table— the painter and papal count,

'Ppay. In this way something started that may have great consequences. After five minutes Lippay said to me: “Come o n t o Rome and Iwill present you t o the Pope. ” H e obviou sly said this out of vanlardise [a desire to brag]. Ldidn't answer, “J’allais vous le demander [ I was just going t o

N Jou to do so], but, “ H m , hm, that may be something t o talk out.”

Over the years I have learned t o control m y first impulses.

1590 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

Lippay remained a t my table an hour and a half, unpacking more and more of his connections, e n homme ivre de ses relations

[like a drunk talking about his connections]. I was such a good listener that he kept babbling away. H e wants to reconcile Rampolla w i t h Austria, and as a n unofficial agent—

something between an ambassador and a courier—he is bringing 2 2 decorations t o Rome. H e is going t o confer them only o n those whom the Pope approves of. H e and the Pope are friends, ever since their days i n Venice. L.'s wife isa Venetian. H e wants to present m e personally to the Pope and act as our

interpreter. A l l I have t o do is t o send h i m the following telegram on Wednesday (today):

Conte Lippay, pittore d i Sua Santita, Anticamera Vaticano. Pregola insistentemente ottenermi udienza presso Santo Padre. Aspetto sua risposta Firenze Grand Hotel. [Count Lippay, Painter t o H i s Holiness, Vatican Ante-Chambers.

Urgently request you t o obtain audience with Holy Father for me. Awaiting your reply Grand Hotel, Florence].

I sent the wire this morning from Bologna. Yesterday morning I traveled w i t h Lippay from Venice to Ferrara. O n the train h e told m e some more state secrets; and I

i n turn showed h i m Koerber’s reply t o m y letter of September 12th.

Lippay asked me whether he might tell the Pope that Koerber wanted m e to be received . “Under n o circumstances!” I replied most emphatically. H e also told m e that h e was intervening o n behalf o f Hilsner, and against the ritual-murder charge. A question which he asked me i n this connection, how I stood with the Vienna Rothschild

and with Guttmann, opened u p certain vistas for me. “ I don’t know the Vienna Rothschild a t all. T o Guttmann I can introduce you any time you want. ”

THE cOMPLET E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1591

This was agreed upon. I n his home we had At Ferrara 1 visited my frie nd Ravenna. feast like the one that was served 1n the house o f the Levite . The rooms, to be sure, had a n Italian coldness and bareness, b u t

thehearts were warm. The Zionists (the executive committee) o f Ferrara, Ravenna’s

Lther from Bologna, and Donati from Modena were all on hand.

The atmosphere reminded me a little of Vilna. January 2 2 , Rome

When I arrived a t the Hotel du Quirinal, Count Lippay was already waiting for me and confirmed the message he had wired me Florence, that my audience with the Pope was assured. Iam going t o see Secretary of State Merry del Val this forenoon,

at

and perhaps the Pope as well before the day 1s over. Lippay informed me he had already told both of them a good dealabout me, and had relegated other matters to the background. Ithad made an especially fine impression that I had expressed myself “so favorably” about Jesus Christ. (That was a t the beer-hall inVenice, when I had explained t o h i m m y artistic and philosophic attitude toward the touching figure o f Jesus, whom, after a l l , I

consider a Jew.)

He saidI should tell Merry del Val that mine was the Catholic point of view.

“That, sir, I shall n o t ! ” I replied categorically . “ T h e very ideal After all, I am n o t going t o the Vatican as a proselyte, b u t as a

political spokesman for my own people.” Then he tried something else: I should ask the Pope t o assume the protectorate.

Nothing doing there eit he r!

I'don't intend t o ask for anything that might embarrass him. I shall only request what is possible. L e t h i m state i n a n encyclical

that he has no objection t o Zionism, provided the Holy Places are Xraterritorialized

.”

1592 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL T h e Count—whom I a m getting t o l i k e more and more and who, while evidently o u t t o make a l i t t l e money, seems, as a n artist,

to be moved b y the beauty o f our cause—also told m e that he was w i l l i n g a n d able t o work o n m y behalf a t Constantinople as well.

“What will I get for that?” “Whatever you like! Name your price!” We agreed that we would discuss this after the audience.

January 23, Rome, 5 : 0 0 a. m., i n bed

M y sleep gets worse and worse. Yesterday morning I was supposed

to

go with Lippay t o the

Vatican. H e had a l l sorts o f things t o take care of, a n d 1t was 11:45

b y the time we drove u p t o the Porta d i Bronzo. T h e Swiss guards and the lackeys all knew him. Like a mighty man he strode u p the steps and through the loggias o f his fellow artist Raphael. H e announced me t o the Secretary of State, Merry del Val, and then took me t o the ante-chambers of the Pope, where he left me t o myself. As he disappeared he said: “ I am o n m y way t o the Pope.” The wait—an hour long—was nevertheless n o t boring. There was entertainment i n the coming and going o f the guards, chamberlains, prelates, and the lackeys i n their red damask-silk liveries. All the colors harmonized magnificently. T h e world’s greatest painters had collaborated on this. I n the first ante-chamber, where I was sitting, t w o tall grenadiers stood o n a carpet, b e i n g bored. T h e y had t h e i r backs turned to a

large, beautiful bronze crucifix which rested on a console, flanked by t w o bronze saints a t prayer. After a while the grenadiers started moving and marched u p and down, u p and down i n step, holding their sabers at a horizontal t i l t . Then they stood again, with their backs t o the crucifix . Ladies gowned i n black and beribboned gentlemen 1n swallow tails emerged from the second ante-chamber, where I could see a

red carpet. They were coming from the Pope. There certainly was something court-like about it all.

THE coMPLET E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1593 And the crucified figure, pitiful, suffering, the image of human misery, looked down from h i s bronze form upon the marble walls

nd the court life that was unroll ing here i n his name, and has been unrolling for many hundre ds o f years now.

If he could have foreseen i t all when he cried from the cross, “gli, Eli [My God, m y God]!”"—would i t have made dying easier or harder for him ?

e apartments—the ThenLippay returned and took me back t o the apartments—th Borgia, if I'm n o t mistaken—occupied by the Secretary of State. Here one can see the beautiful, devout, naive frescoes of Pinturicchio; the Annunciation, the Adoration o f the Magi, the divine

child in the lowly manger—nous en sommes l o i n [we are far removed from it]. When the waiting came to an end I was taken into the next room, the council chamber o f the Sacred College. A green table,

surrounded by red and gold armchairs. I n the background, once again the tortured God upon the Cross. Various ambassadors were waiting for the Secretary of State. My turn came last. Lippay ushered me in, kissed Cardinal Merry del Val’s hand, and mtroduced me. Then h e took h i s leave, kissed the cardinal’s hand asecond and a third time, and left.

Merry del Val bade me be seated, and soon the conversation, whichI conducted i n French , was i n full swing. Aswe talked I took a good look at h i m . Merry del Val is 38 years old, tall, slim, aristocratic. Fine, large,

brown, serious, Inquiring yet n o t unreligious eyes in a still young, butalready grave face. The hair at his temples showed the first streaks of grey. a

him what I wanted: the good will of the Holy See for our

p a , “Ido n o t quite see how we can take any initiative in this a m r > O 8 as the Jews deny the d i v i n i t y o f Christ, we certainly

dil o v a

a declaration i n their favor. N o t that we have any i l l

ed

them. O n the contrary, the Church has always pro-

|o

Mm. To

us they are the indispensable witnesses t o the

1594 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ]. phenomenon of God's term o n earth. B u t they deny the divine n a t u r e o f Christ. H o w t h e n c a n w e , w i t h o u t abandoning o u r o w n

highest principles, agree t o their being given possession of the Holy Land again?”

‘“We are asking only for the profane earth; the Holy Places are t o be extraterritorializ ed.” “ O h , b u t i t won't do t o imagine them 1n an enclave of that sort.” “ B u t is the present state of things more satisfactory t o Christendom, Your Eminence? Don’t you think that i t would be more in keeping with the religious sentiments of a l l Christian denominations if a different order were established?” “The College of Cardinals has never taken u p this question. Of course, the existence of such a movement 1s known through the newspapers; b u t surely the College as such could not go into the

i n detail unless a memorandum were submitted t o it.” “ I t would be consonant with the great policy of the Church, Your Eminence, i f the Holy See declared itself in our favor—or, let us say, as n o t against us. I have always admired the Catholic

matter

Church, which I know through its law and its art, for its great

vitality and its large perspectives. You could achieve a great moral conquest here.”

“Certainly,” he said, “a Jew who has himself baptized o u t of conviction is for me the ideal. I n such a person I see the physical characteristics of descent from Christ's people united with the

spiritual elements. A Jew who acknowledges the divinity of Christ —mais c'est St. Pierre, c’est Saint Paul [but that 1s St. Peter, that is St. Paul]. T h e history of Israel is our heritage, i t is our foundation. B u t i n order for us t o come o u t for the Jewish people in the way you desire, they would first have to b e converted.” “ T h i n k of the wanderer and his cloak, Your Eminence. The wind couldn't take i t away from him, b u t the sun smiled i t away from h i m . W e have withstood the persecutions, we are still here today.” “Undoubtedly that is a n argument which could carry some weight. Still, I see n o possibility o f our assuming the initiative.” “ N o one is asking you to, Your Eminence! T h e initiative will

THE cOMPLETE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1595 ken by one of the Great Powers. You are simply to give your It I were only interested i n the mater ial, tempo ral -

ol

A

have gone from one Power t o another and secured their

ll

Proof of this is Plehwe’s (last) letter t o me. B u t I also wish

h.” obtain the spirit ual appr oval o f the Rom an C h u r c He read through Plehwe’s letter thoughtfu lly, the first page wice, as though he were mem orizi ng it. Then he promised prise en considéra tion [considera tion] o f m y |

request. He gave me permission t o come again. I begged t o be allowed to placemy respects a t the feet of the Holy Father. H e promised t o sk the Pope to grant me an audience. The conversation, t o Lippay’s astonishment, had lasted threequarters of an hour (past the Cardinal’s dinner time).

January 2g, Rome

TodayIhadmy audience with the King. [ killed time at the hotel until

10: 30.

T h e n I instructe d m y

woupé de remise [hired carriage] t o take a giro [leisurely drive] andland me at the Quir inal a t 11:0 5.

On the drive through old-new Rome I got the idea of buildi ng a ireet in Jerusalem which shall be called Diaspora Road and display the architectural styles of all the ages and natio ns throu gh which we have moved. Buil ding regu latio ns are to be give n out for

each section of this street, and sites are t o b e allo tted (gra tis?) only

10 people who pledge

Particular section.

themselves t o buil d i n the style of thei r

At 11:05 I drew u p befo re the Kin g’s w i n g o f the Qui rina l.

The staircase elegant, bu t no t magn

|

ificent.

aught my breath after the long climb i n the adjutant’s room.

oe and a captain Intr odu ced themselves to m e and wer e . ce. We had an animated con ver sati on— in Ital ian , t o the

“to f my knowledge of i t . t tw

out

ety Past eleven a monk

tthe King’sroom,

.

.

A

wearing a cardinal’ s cap came

1596 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

Right after that I was called i n . T h e captain w e n t ahead of me and called o u t m y name through the doorway—I believe he

opened both wings of the door. I n the audience chamber the King came u p t o m e , wearing a general's uniform w i t h o u t a sword, and

with a friendly smile held o u t his hand t o me, as i f to a n acquaintance. H e is very short, b u t h e has broad shoulders and a very trim military bearing.

H e pointed t o an armchair: “Déposez votre chapeau [Put down your hat|!” Then h e sat down close beside m e o n the sofa; o r rather, he

hoisted himself u p from behind and slid down o n t o it, as a child might do. I n that position his feet were well above the floor. His small s t a t u r e seems t o be the sorrow of this King, who in other respects gave me the impression of being n o insignificant m a n . H e is clever, h i g h l y educated, very a m i a b l e , a n d very modest.

Once he is seated, he no longer cares about being imposing. Il me m i t a mon aise [ H e p u t me a t m y ease], and i n fact I most affably chatted away a whole hour with him. There isn’t a trace of aftectation of majesty about him. H e has son franc parler [his frank way of speaking] and a very lively mind. Often both of us spoke a t the same time—that is how animated our (French) conversation was. I t also jumped so much from one t h i n g to another that now, one day later, I can n o longer reconstruct it.

I told h i m all the essential things, and he talked about all sorts o f subjects—e .g.: “ I n our country there is n o distinction between Jews and Christians. Jews can become anything, and they do. T h e army, the civil

service, even the diplomatic corps—everything everywhere is open t o them. I n Parliamen t there are 18 of them—al though o n a population basis they ought t o have only one seat, perhaps half a one.

Almost every cabinet has included a Jew—at present I uzzatti.

There used t o be Gen. Ottolenghi and Wollemborg. Not t o speak of lesser posts. W e are the o n l y nation t o a d m i t Jews i n t o the diplo matic servi ce.” “Ame rica does too, S i r e ! ”

THE cOMPL ETE DIARIE S O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1597 the European monarchies. Among us the Jews re completely Italian.” (He mention ed a whole string of names.) «] am speaking of

“Nor is there a distinction drawn anywhere. Except for one city: Leghorn. Because there they are too rich. B u t that has nothing to dowithreligion and the like. T o u t ¢ a sont des bétises [Those are all

qupidities].” He was fond of using the words bétises and imbéciles, pronouncing them w i t h a strong I t a l i a n accent. “ C e monsieur que

sous venez de voir sortir est le deuxieme en quatre ans q u i est venu me voir [That gentleman w h o m you just saw leaving is the second

call on me in four years].” Then we got onto Palestine, I forget how. “ l know i t well,” h e said; “ I have been there several times. O n e

occasion was just when my father was assassinated. The land is already very Jewish. I t will and m u s t get into your hands; i t is only aquestion of time. Wait t i l l you have half a million Jews there.” “They are n o t allowed to enter, Sire!” "Bah, everything can be done with baksheesh.” “ButI don’t w a n t that. Our project means investments and improvements, and I don’t want them undertaken as long as the country 1sn’t ours. ”

He laughed and quoted an Italian saying, meaning something like: “Oh yes, that would be like making improvements in casa d i altri [in someone else’s hous e].

"First would like to win over the Sultan. ” "The only thing that has an effect o n h i m , ” said the King, ‘ i s

money.If you promise him, i n r e t u r n for the Jordan valley, half he profit i t yields, he'll l e t you have i t . ”

es, but we need autonomy.” He won't w a n t t o hear of that. He dislikes the word.” L l be satisfied with the thing, Sire! Let them call i t anything they like. Now then, I will permit myself to tell you what I am questing of your kindn ess.”

laughed “All right, I ' m listening.” showed h i m the letters from Plehwe and the Grand Duke, o n could see to what extent t h e ground had already been pre-

1598 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL When he came t o the confidential passages i n Plehwe’s letter, he said with a smile: “Je ne dirai rien. Sono una tomba [I shan’t say a word. I am as

silent as a grave].” W h e n h e had finished the letter h e said: “This represents a great

success. I am surprised that they gave you such a document.” H e asked me t o translate the Grand Duke’s letter for him, because he had a hard time with German. H e had learned i t only from his governess, and n o t particularly well. I explained everything t o h i m , and finally made m y request: “Sire, your personal intervention with the Sultan could help us a great deal. Write h i m a letter.”

H e said: “ I would gladly c o n s e n t ; only, I c a n n o t do what I please. T o give you a promise now and later on fail t o keep it— surely that would not be the way a galantuomo [gentleman] acts.

I must first take counsel. Speak with Tittoni, t o o . I am seeing him tonight and shall prepare h i m for your visit. I am promising you only my good will, n o t any action.” Then we were suddenly back in Palestine. I told h i m about my plans for its future, about Altneuland. H e asked m e for the book,

i f possible n o t i n German. For him t o read i t i n German would be

tough work. We spoke of the Jordan, of the Dead Sea Canal. He remarked, quite rightly: “ B u t what would you do with the salt?” I said: “That is something for the technicians’ imagination.”

‘Then we were on the subject of the Sultan again. H e said: “ I know him. H e is shrewd.” I : “Mais ombrageux. I l a p e u r d e t o u t [ B u t suspicious. H e 1s

afraid of everything].” He: “Ha paura d i sua pelle [ H e trembles for his skin]. He fears that someone will k i l l him. H e distrusts everybody.” Then, all a t once, we found ourselves talking about Sabbatal Levi, whose story he knew well. While o n this subject he also told me the follow ing: “ O n e of m y ancestors, m y grandfather eleven o r twelve times

removed, one Charles Emmanuel, conspired w i t h Zevi. H e wanted to become King of Macedonia, o r Cyprus, I ' m not sure—some sort

THE cOMPLETE DIAR IES O F T H E O D O R H E R Z L 1599 if King, anyway.Il était u n peu fou, mais i avail de grandes idées Hewasabit cracked, but he had big ideas]. |

Next he spoke of messiahs (with understandable roguishness), ndaskedif there were still Jews who expected a Messiah. ‘Naturally, Your Majesty, i n the religio us circles. I n our own,

he academically trained and enlight ened circles , n o such though t exists, of course.” |

At this point i t turned o u t that originally he had taken me for bbi. "No, no, Sire, our movement is purely nationalist.” A n d t o

his

amusementI also told him how in Palestine I had avoided mountingawhite donkey or a white horse, so n o one would embarrass m e

by thinking I was the Messiah. He laughed. What else? He related how General Ottolenghi had once vainly tried t o get together a minyan for prayer i n Naples.

Hespoke of the Jews in Eritrea, i n China, etc. Hetoldme how interested he was i n our ancient race. ‘But I also have Jewish callers who get visibl y nervous when be word ‘Jew is used. That is the sort I don’ t like. The n I reall y beginto talk about Jews. What I like is someone who doesn’t try t o pear other than he is.” What else? Lexplained to h i m m y ori gin al Sin ai

sch em e.

ThenUganda. uei d “I'am glad that you hav e give n u p Uga nda . I like this

ho , Jertizlem, I even like the attempt upo n Nordau’s life , on o o i tI the act of a criminal and a foo l. Bu t i t does show

u e d Lo | ch

myself have seen Jews weep a t the Wailing Wa

Ink 1t was Play-acting, un til I

tggars, but men lik e yourself we re

ll.

saw i t wit h my ow n eyes. we ep ing .”

fog, Aspo ke of Napoleon's Sanhedrin i n 180 6 ( I thin k i t was Nooo] enghi—Moise, of Padua—took par t i n it. .2Poleon had ideas about restor ing the Jewish na tio n, Sir e!”

over0,thhe op]Y wanted t o make the Jews, who were sca € world, his agents,”

ttered all

1600 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL “ A n idea I found i n Chamberlain, too.”

“ I t is an obvious idea,” said the King. And finally I broached my Tripoli scheme also: “de déverser Je trop plein de immigration juive en Tripolitaine sous les lois et institutions libérales de U'ltalie [to channel the surplus Jewish immigration into Tripolitania, under the liberal laws and in. stitutions of Italy].” “ M a ¢é ancora casa di altri [But that again is someone else's house],” he said. “ B u t the partition of Turkey 1s bound t o come, Your Majesty.” “When? True, a people such as yours can wait even a hundred years. But you and I , we shall n o longer be alive.” And so we spoke about many other things that have already escaped me—that’s how volatile our conversation was. A t a quarter past twelve he dismissed me. H e had work t o do. I m u s t be sure t o send h i m the book. “Et quand vous reviendrez a Rome, faites vous voir [And when you come t o Rome again, let me see you].” H e accompanied me as far as the door and gave me his hand. At parting I repeated: “ I t a l y can d o a lot for us, for the Sultan is

afraid of Italy.” H e stood i n thought. “ D o you think so? Perhaps we are i n his way.—Well, have a talk with T i t t o n i . I can’t promise you anything definite. But whenever I m e e t a Turk, I will bring up your cause.” Another handshake, a smile, and I was outside. ¥*

¥%

¥*

L e t t e r t o t h e Grand D u k e a t B e r l i n :

Rome, January 25 Y.R.H's continuing kind interest i n the Zionist movement makes me hope that the following disclosures, too, w i l l meet with friend ly intere st.

THE COMPLET E DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1601 Two days ago I had the honor of being received by the King of Italy, and in a lengthy conversation which touched upon all aspects of the question, H . M . showed himself very benevolently disposed toward the cause. Today I shall have the honor of being received by the Pope in private audience. I have already had a gratifying conversation w i t h the Cardinal w h o is the Secretary o f State. Tomorrow I shall also

see the Italian Foreign Minister, Sen. Tittoni. Thus, unless I a m mistaken, the cause has taken a forward step in the Quirinal and the Vatican. After what I was able to report to Y.R.H. a few months ago about the attitude of England, Russia, and Austria, particularly after the declaration of the Russian gov-

ernment which was given me for publication (express consent t o the establishment of a Jewish State in Palestine), the major part of those difficulties which, almost six years ago, made i t impossible

for Germany t o go t o the end i n this matter seem now t o have been overcome. Iwould be very happy i f I were permitted to give an oral presen-

tation of thé current state of affairs t o H.M. the Kaiser. Perhaps Y.R.H. will deem i t appropriate t o ask the Kaiser whether I may come t o Berlin for this purpose. A reply will reach me in Vienna by February 1st. With the sentiments of most heart-felt respect and deepest gratitude, I rema in Y.R.H .’s loyal servant, Dr. T h . Herz l.

January 26, Rome Yesterday I was w i t h the Pope. T h e route was already familiar,

sinceI had traversed i t with Lippay several times. Past the Swiss lackeys, who looked like clerics, and clerics who looked like lackeys, the Papal officers and chamberlains.

|

larrived 1 0 minutes ahead of time and d i d n ’ t even have t o wait.

1602 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

I was conducted through numerous small reception rooms t o the Pope.

H e received me standing and held o u t his hand, which I did not kiss. Lippay had told me I had t o d o i t , b u t I didn’t. I believe that I incurred his displeasure b y this, for everyone who

visits him kneels down and a t least kisses his hand. This hand kiss had caused me a lot of worry. I was quite glad when i t was finally out of the way. H e seated himself i n an armchair, a throne for minor occasions. Then he invited m e to sit down right next to h i m and smiled in friendly anticipation. I began: “Ringrazio Vostra Santita per i l favore d i m’aver accordato

quest’udienza [I thank Your Holiness for the favor of according me this audience].” “ E u n piacere [ I t i s a pleasure],” he said with kindly deprecation. I apologized for my miserable Italian, but he said:

“No, parla molto bene, signor Commendatore [No, Commander, you speak very well].” For I had put on for the first time—on Lippay’s advice—my

Mejidiye ribbon. Consequently the Pope always addressed me as Commendatore. H e is a good, coarse-grained village priest, t o whom Christianity has remained a living thing even i n the Vatican. I briefly placed my request before him. He, however, possibly annoyed by my refusal t o kiss his hand, answered sternly and resolutely: “Not non possiamo favorire questo movimento. N o n potremo tmpedire gli Ebrei d i andare a Gerusalemme—ma favorire non possiamo mai. L a terra d i G e r u s a l e m m e se n o n era sempre santa, ¢ santificata per la vita d i Jesu Christo (he d i d n o t pronounce it Gesu, b u t Yesu, i n the Venetian fashion). I o come capo della chiesa non posso dirle altra cosa. G l i E b r e i n o n hanno riconosciuto nostro

Signore, percid non possiamo riconoscere i l popolo ebreo [We cannot

give approval t o this movement. W e c a n n o t prevent the

THE COMPLETE D I A R I E S O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1603 ews from going t o Jerusalem—but we could never sanction it. The soil of Jerusalem, i f i t was n o t always sacred, has been sanctified by the life of Jesus Christ. As the head of the Church I cannot tell you anything different. T h e Jews have n o t recognized our Lord, therefore we c a n n o t recognize the Jewish people].” Hence the conflict between Rome, represented by h i m , and

Jerusalem, represented by me, was once again opened up. At the outset, t o be sure, I tried t o be conciliatory. I recited my little piece about extraterritorialization, res sacrae extra com-

mercium [holy places removed from business]. I t didn’t make much of an impression. Gerusalemme, he said, must not get into the hands of the Jews. “And its present status, Holy Father?” “ I know, i t 1s n o t pleasant t o see the Turks i n possession o f our

Holy Places. We simply have t o p u t u p with that. But t o support the Jews i n the acquisition of the Holy Places, that we c a n n o t do.”

I said that our point of departure had been solely the distress of the Jews and that we desired t o avoid the religious issues. “Yes, b u t we, and I as the head of the Church, cannot d o this.

There are t w o possibilities. Either the Jews will cling

to

their

faith and continue t o await the Messiah who, for us, has already

appeared. I n that case they will be denying the divinity of Jesus and we cannot help them. O r else they w i l l go there without any religion, and then we can be even less favorable t o them. “The Jewish religion was the foundation of our own; b u t i t was superseded b y the teachings of Christ, and we cannot concede

itany further validity. T h e Jews, who ought t o have been the first toacknowledge Jesus Christ, have n o t done so t o this day.” I t was o n the t i p o f m y tongue to say, “ T h a t ' s what happens i n every family. N o one believes i n his o w n relatives.” B u t I said

instead: “Terror and persecution may n o t have been the right means for enlightening the Jews.” But he rejoined, and this time he was magnificent i n his simplic|

ity:

“Our Lord came without power. Era povero [He was poor]. He Ame in pace [in peace]. H e persecuted no one. He was persecuted.

1604 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL. H e was abbandonato [forsaken] even b y h i s apostles. Only later did

he grow i n stature. I t took three centuries for the Church t o evolve. T h e Jews therefore had t i m e to acknowledge his d i v i n i t y without

any pressure. But they haven’t done so t o this day.” “ B u t , H o l y Father, the Jews are i n terrible straits. I don’t know i f Your Holiness is acquainted with the full extent of this sad situation. We need a land for these persecuted people.” “Does i t have t o be Gerusalemme?”’ “ W e are n o t asking for Jerusalem, b u t for Palestine—only the secular land.” “ W e cannot be in favor of 1t.” “Does Your Holiness know the situation of the Jews?” “Yes, from my Mantua days. Jews live there. A n d I have always been on good terms with Jews. Only the other evening two Jews were here t o see me. After all, there are other bonds than those of religion: courtesy and philanthropy. These we d o not deny to the Jews. Indeed, we also pray for t h e m : that their minds be

enlightened. This very day the Church is celebrating the feast of an unbeliever who, o n the road to Damascus, became miraculously converted t o the true faith. And so, i f you come t o Palestine and settle your people there, we shall have churches and priests ready t o baptize all of you.” Count Lippay had had himself announced. T h e Pope permitted h i m to enter. T h e Count kneeled, kissed h i s hand, then joined i n

the conversation by telling of our “miraculous” meeting In Bauer's Beer Hall i n Venice. The miracle was that he had originally planned to spend the night i n Padua. As i t happened, I had

expressed the wish t o be allowed t o kiss the Holy Father's foot. A t this the Pope made une téte [a long face], for I hadn't even kissed his hand. Lippay went o n to say that I had expressed myself

appreciatively on Jesus Christ’s noble qualities. T h e Pope listened, n o w and then took a pinch o f snuff, and sneezed i n t o a b i g red cotton handkerchief. Actually, these peasant touches are what I

like best about h i m and what compels m y respect. I n this way Lippay wanted t o account for his introducing me,

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1605 perhaps to excuse i t . B u t the Pope said: “ O n the contrary, I a m

glad you brought me the Signor Commendatore.” As to the real business, he repeated what he had told me: Non possumus [We can ’t]! Until he dismissed us Lippay spent some time kneeling before him and couldn’t seem t o get his fill o f kissing his hand. Then I realized that the Pope liked this sort of thing. B u t o n parting, too,

all I did was t o give him a warm hand-squeeze and a low bow. Duration of the audience: about 25 minutes. In the Raphael stanze [rooms], where I spent the n e x t hour, I saw a picture of a n Emperor kneeling to let a seated Pope put the crown on his head. That's the way Rome wants it. ik

*

*

Supplement: Day before yesterday I called o n Senator Malvano, a Jew, the actual head of the Foreign Office, although he is n o t the Minister.

He couldn’t very well refuse t o see me, since I had been received by the King. However, he had told my good Ravenna that he wanted t o discuss only art and science with me, for he was an antiZionist.

Adirty, dusty little man, w i t h a foul breath. H e talked fast, without

stopping, about everything: trade treaties, reminiscences of

Victor Emmanuel 11, the Unification o f Italy, the Entry i n t o Rome

and into this very consulta [council chamber] (where we were sitting), which only a few hours before the Entry had been full of

cardinals and Papal soldiery. He acted the part of a modesto impiegato [humble employee]—

evidently t o keep m e

from a s k i n g h i m for anything—but that is

Just what he is. H e is a clerk i n the wholesale firm of Italy. He is reputed t o b e very taciturn ordinarily. Fear of Zionism

made him talkative. I prepared to leave. I hadn’t said a word about Zionism. He said: “ I have witnessed so many historic events. One thing I have neglected to d o : to keep a diary.”

1606 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL “ I keep one!” I said and looked a t him, laughing. Here h e i s i n i t , the J e w Malvano.

W h o m a writer has thus confined, n o G o d can ever rescue.

January 27, Rome Dreamt of the German Kaiser last night. H e and I were alone o n a bark a t sea. ¥%

¥%*

*

Yesterday, with Foreign Minister Tittoni. A buttoned-up, slim, black frock coat. Above i t , a short grey

beard, an over-sized Roman nose, and a policeman’s piercing eyes which peer o u t from under strangely protruding, pufty lids. The conversation lasted only t e n minutes, b u t i t was excellent. The valiant King had already arranged for everything; his intelligence and chivalry are as great as his stature is small. H e had

promised me nothing definite. Tittoni, however—obviously on instructions from the King—declared himself ready t o do anything he could. H e intends t o write t o the ambassador a t Constantinople t o proceed jointly with the Russians. Naturally, the King's personal intervention couldn’t be risked until i t had been ascertained that i t would be accepted. H e said I should send i n a mémoire [memorandum] on the subject. I promised t o send one from Vienna. Finally I asked him t o procure an audience for me with Prime Minister Giolitti. H e promise d. Courte et bonne [Short and sweet.] *

¥*

*

Supplement t o the Papal audienc e: H e spoke o f the T e m p l e a t

Jerusalem. I t

h a d been destroyed

forever. D i d I suppose that one ought t o reconstruct i t and perform the sacrificial services there i n the ancien t way?

THE COMPLE TE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1607 He also talked about Josephus Flavius and quoted him; but I

didn’t quite understand that. ¥*

¥*

*

Addendum t o the King. When I mentioned Plehwe’s statement to me that the Jews

couldnot have their restrictions removed because then they would soon have all the official posts, the King replied: “That is a great compliment to your people. O h yes, I too remember: when I was s t i l l a prince and went around handing out

school prizes in Upper Italy, i t struck me how many Jews there always were among the prize-winners. Almost always the majority.” *

*

¥*

Greenberg wires that he has now received a Charter for East Africall

January 28, o n the train, beyond Pistoia I was unable to talk w i t h Prime Minister Giolitti, because they were having a long cabinet meeting. Giolitti sent me his regrets through Tittoni. When I return t o Rome he will be happy t o see me. Balance-sheet for Rome—good nevertheless. ¥%

¥*

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Little Benedikt has once again suppressed something. D e Fiori telegraphed h i m a report a b o u t m y audiences w i t h the K i n g and

the Pope. Benedikt put the dispatch i n his pocket. I t i s a hard fate t o c o n t i n u e to b e dependent o n such a canatille

[scoundrel]

:

*

*

*

On the afternoon o f m y audience with the Pope, “Conte” Lippay

Presented m e w i t h his bill.

He has worries. H e needs money. (Je m’en doutrais [ I could

1608 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

imagine it].) A lot of money! (Ohol) A stack of thousand-lire notes) (Tell me more.) H e said he had got himself i n a hole with his portrait. H e had already run u p about 3 0 , 0 0 0 guilders expenses. H e owed that much o n the picture. D i d I know of anyone who could advance h i m this amount? I advised h i m t o go to an art-

dealer. No, no, only a Rothschild or a Gutmann could handle some-

thing like that. Would I be willing t o speak t o Gutmann about this “loan”? Certainly, b u t I couldn’t guarantee success.

Just my promise sufficed him for the moment; and as a matter of fact I do intend t o speak with Gutmann when I get t o Vienna, although there is something distasteful t o me about this. I only hope that all these people are sufficiently aware of m y own purity in financial matters. This 1s a clever move on Lippay’s part. Borrowing money from Jews against security is n o disgrace. What are Jews for, anyway? T h e fact that the security isn’t worth as much as the loan doesn’t do any harm either. Why are Jews such fools?

February 4, Vienna

Yesterday I w e n t on my errand, certainly a hard one, t o Gutmann t o raise money for Lippay. I said—without mentioning Lippay—that i t was a matter of thirty thousand guilders to establish a connection i n Rome. When

I saw the coal-dealer’s frozen expression, I said that I might be able t o raise one-half with the help of some of m y friends, b u t that he couldn't share i n i t for less than 1 5 , 0 0 0 guilders. H e had a magnificent excuse—one can always learn something new from these people: the amount was too . . . small for him. ‘The prospect I held o u t was so valuable that people would give large sums for i t . When I broached the subject, he had expected me t o menti on a millio n. Naturally, to anyone w h o asked for a l o t h e would say that i t was too much .

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1609

February 4, Vienna Lette r to T i t t o n i *

Your Excellency: I n the course of the audience which you did me the honor of granting me i n Rome you invited me t o formulate the Zionists’ request. I therefore permit myself to submit the following observa-

tions to Y.E.

The Zionist movement, represented by annual congresses attended by delegates from all countries, has as its aim the creation of a legally assured homeland for the Jewish people.

As chairman of the Actions Committee I have established contact with all governments interested i n this question. I have tried most of all to establish a relationship with the Ottoman govt.

H.I.M. the Sultan has received me in private audience and has invited me on various occasions t o return t o Constantinople. I did not fail to go there, b u t negotiations have n o t made noticeable progress. Looking t o international reasons as a n explanation for

this delay, I have striven t o obtain the consent of the interested Powers. I t was i n Germany that the Zionist idea found its first

support. Receiving me as well as a Zionist deputation in formal audience a t Jerusalem i n 1898, H . M . the Kaiser promised us his good will. T h e benevolent attitude of the German govt. has not

changed since then. This is affirmed by the letter addressed t o me by H.R.H. the Grand Duke of Baden o n this subject o n September goth, 1 9 0 3 .

The English government has shown itself so favorably disposed toward the Zionist movement that i t has officially offered us a large territory i n the British possessions i n East Africa for our colonization.

I n Austria the govt. views our efforts with benevolent interest, as Prime Minister Koerber says in the letter he wrote me under date of Sept emb er 28th , 1903 .

But the most importan t support comes t o us from Russia. * I n French i n the orig inal .

1610 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL I n August o f 1gog M i n i s t e r von Plehwe wrote m e a letter

3

printed copy of which you will find enclosed herewith. Von Plehwe added that this governmental declaration was transmitted to me on

orders from H . M . the Emperor with authorization t o make it public. O n November 23rd/December 6, 1903, the Russian govt. informed m e that the Russian ambassador a t Constantinople had already received instructions t o intercede w i t h the Sublime Porte o n behalf of the Zionist proposals. T h e declaration b y the Russian government o f J u l y goth/August 1 2 t h goes farther than our o w n formula. W e had not asked for

an independent Jewish State i n Palestine, being aware of the difficulties which such an objective would encounter. All we ask is that the Jewish people be settled i n Palestine under the suzerainty of H . M . the Sultan, b u t under conditions of legal security. The administration of our colonies would devolve upon us. I n deference to the sensibilities o f a l l believers, the Holy Places are t o be exempted and to receive the character of extraterritoriality

forever. All we ask of the Ottoman govt. is a Charter of Colonization for the Sanjak of Acre. I n return for this Charter w e will pledge our-

selves t o pay the Ottoman treasury an annual tribute of

100,000

‘Turkish pounds. O u r proposal therefore does n o t lack substantial advantages for the Ottoman govt., but i f i t is easy enough t o enumerate them, i t 1s

hard

to

tell without emotion of the wretched situation i n which

our poor Jews i n Russia, Rumania, Galicia, etc., are languishing. Emigration to America is n o t a remedy. Everywhere they find

themselves again i n the same political, social, and economic distress, even i n the free countries, which, moreover, are beginning t o close their ports t o this immigrati on.

Anti-Semitism makes their lives hard everywhere. For Italy these struggles and miseries are only a distant echo. Italy is completely untouched by the Jewish Question, and 1t is precisely for this reason that its government could perform a great service for humanity by lending a hand t o the solution of this question which is so fraug ht with sorrow.

THE COM PLE TE DIA RIE S O F T H E O D O R HER ZL 1 6 ] 1 A lette r from H i s Maje sty the K i n g of I t a l y to H . M . the Sulta n,

recommending our proposals and givin g the friendly counsel that they be taken into consideration, would have a decisive effect on the re-opening of our negotiations. The Jewi sh peop le, disp erse d b u t erect desp ite all misf ortun es,

would vow 1ts etern al gratit ude t o Italy and its chivalrous King. Prayaccept, Y.E., the expression of my high regard and devo tion. Dr. T h . Her zl.

Vienna, February 1 3 , 1 9 0 3

T o H . E., Senato r T . T i t t o n i , M i n . of For. Aff, Rome .

February g, Vienna Greenberg telegraphs: *

Events i n house last night render collapse of government very probable even within next few days. D o please authorise me t o a t once accept for you Foreign Office’s offer subject t o approval of terms of Charter and report of commission and t o say that you will arrange for commission to start forth with. Otherwise fear we shall lose all. %*

%*

*

Iamreplying: * You may accept Mandels (F.O.) offer subject to approval of

terms of jam (Charter ) and report of bettler (commission). But I give you this authorisation only on condition that absolutely nothing will be published upon the matter before we apProve jamterm s. Please wire m e this promise . Benj amin .

* Original text.

1612 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

Februa ry 1 2 , Vienna Last night a wire from Greenberg saying that he had informed the F.O. of the acceptance o n the same day, the gth, o n which he had received my wire of authorization. Whereupon I wired back asking h i m to send me the postal receipt of the 1 0 t h for the A.C. I n the meeting o n the 10th Dr. Kahn and Marmorek agreed with m y view that the present proposal is identical with the one that had been before the Congress, even though the area is n o t located on the railroad. Kremenezky and Kokesch thought i t was a new proposal. I f i t is the East Africa proposal—as i t undoubtedly is—I was entitled and obligated to accept it, i.e., with the reservations that

I made. Nevertheless I will n o t let Greenberg force m y hand. %

*

*

Count Lippay, who is now presenting his bill again and asking me t o obtain the “loan” for h i m from the Paris Rothschild (letter t o Alex, Bluebook), told m e o n this occasion that the story went

around in diplomatic circles that I had twice received

60,000

guilders from the Sultan, from which amount, t o b e sure, I had deducted only m y expenses and given the rest t o the movement. 1

branded this as a wretched lie and gave him the facts about the t w o £200 purses which had been forced o n m e and which I had im-

mediately given t o the poor. Lippay seems t o have his information from Section Head Suzzara.

During the night I thought of a letter which I plan t o send t o Goluchowski. Something like this:

O n . . . I took the liberty of requesting you for an audience. ‘To m y astonishment n o reply came, n o t even a polite refusal saying that you have n o time. A t first I attributed i t t o the Delegations, t o the inauspicious

time. But then . . .

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1613 Objective reasons? Surely the desire o f the Jews t o re-establish

the Jewish Realm is n o less respectable even to outsiders than the Poles’ longing for the restora tion o f Poland.

The Zionist movement employs n o illegal or immoral methods. Then, too, i n Austria—ap art from a few Jewish papers—nei ther

Christians nor Jews deny that this solution—emigration of some andcomplete assimilation o f others—would b e a genuine solution. Atany rate, the matter is one worth discussing.

There remains, then, the personal element. As I have read a number of times, I am one of the best-known writers of Austria. T h e leading statesmen of England, Germany, Russia, and Italy have readily received me as the head of the Zionist movement. So have emperors and kings. I t is bound t o strike me as strange that a Minister of m y fatherland should refuse to see me when I request h i m to. As a gentleman Your Exc. will understand that I w a n t particulars about this. Have you been told anything detrimental about me? I f so, what?

One of the fatuous lies about Constantinople, perhaps, that I have been bribed with money b y the Sultan or b y the Turkish government?

February 1 3 , Vienna

Telegram t o Greenberg: *

I

must

urgently beg you n o t

to

reopen by a single word upon

Mandels attitude the now sleeping discussion. I t was m y formal

condition before accepting. Benjamin.

February 2 0 , Vienna Cav. Ugo Brus at: Mag gior Gen erale ,

1° Aiutante d ; Campo Generale d i S.M. i l R e d'Italia, Roma.

* Original text.

1614 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ], [ H . E . Major-General U g o Brusati, 1st Adjutant General of H.M.

the King of Italy, Rome]. Dear General Brusati: * H i s Majesty the King has done m e the honor to accept m y book

Altneuland. Since His Majesty prefers t o read English, I have sent for the translation which appeared i n an American periodical, and I am taking the liberty of sending i t t o you for the King. Pray accept, General, the expression of m y high regard. D r . Theodor Herzl.

February 23, Vienna

The following wire from D e Fiori:

Minister says that in absence of indispensable preliminary conditions m a t t e r cannot be taken u p in form you suggested. D e Fiori.

February 24, Vienna

Yesterday I had a most curious visitor: “Ali Nuri Bey, Ex-Consul Général de Turquie,” i t said on his card which he first sent i n t o me at the N . Fr. Pr.

H e 1s the husband of a “Turkish princess” who is giving lectures here on harem life. His good German surprised me. H e explained that he was a Swede who had gone t o Turkey a t the age of 18 as Strousberg’s representative and had become a Mohammedan. ‘Today a man of 4 1 , he looks quite Turkish, reminds one of the other N u r i Bey with his red beard and eyeglasses, b u t he is somewhat stronger, with his head set deep between his shoulders. His proposal, which he made m e i n m y house between g:30 and 1 2 : 3 0 yesterday, comes t o this: Sail into the Bosporus with two ®

I n French i n the origina l.

THE COMPLETE D I A R I E S O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1615 cruisers, bombard Yildiz, l e t the Sultan flee o r capture h i m , p u t

in another Sultan (Murad or Reshad), but first form a provisional government—which is to give us the Charter for Palestine. A novel or an adventure? The two cruisers w i l l cost £400,000, the rest £100,000.* T h e whole stroke would cost h a l f a m i l l i o n pounds. I f i t fails, we would

have lost the money and the participants their lives. All this presented quite coolly and calmly, like a n offer to buy a

load of wheat. He said he would make the voyage and go ashore himself. The scheme could b e carried o u t with a thousand men. Preferably during the selamlik .

The cruisers would pass through the Dardanelles a t night and could bombard Yildiz by morning. I answered: “My point of view has always been that I could negotiate only with the existing government o f t h e land, n o t w i t h a prospective

one. I will consider whether i t is possible t o concern myself with such a matter at all, even i n a n informal conversation.” My scruples, which I d i d n ’ t t e l l h i m about, were these:

1) That I m u s t n o t participate i n such a plot a t all, i f i t amounts to murder and robbery (although he said that they would shoot in the air and n o one need b e wounded i n i t ) ;

2) That in case of failure the Zionist movement would be discredited for decades to com e:

3) That i t might lead t o Jews being massacred i n Turkey afterwards: 4) That the “participants” cannot enter i n t o any legally bind8 obligations. I f they d o n ’ t keep their word, where shall I sue them? |

5) To have h i m give me a list would be ill-advised. I might be held responsible for any breach of confidence that someone might commit, I' prefer not even to know whether A l i Nuri Bey is just raving o r ’ [3 w Translator’ Note: Since Kreuzer means both “cruiser”” " and a small Austrian n, Herzl may have intended a pun here . :

1

1616 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL has some basis. Only i f his group succeeds the present one in Yildiz could he perhaps be used as an intermediary. That way I would already have some connection with the coming power.

Ma rch 2

T h e scoundrel Crespi was here and said h e wanted to work for me again. Il faut faire fléche de tout bois [One m u s t use every means t o attain an end]. I promised t o write h i m a letter for public display. This is i t :* Dear Sir:

As I told you when you visited me, I would be inclined

to

consider t w o schemes: 1) The renting of the Sanjak of Acre for a number of years by one of our financial syndicates; 2) Having my friends make the loan you told me about. With kindest regards, Herzl.

March 5, Vienna

Yesterday Ali Nuri Bey came t o see me again. Again the Bosporus plan. But he is a t any rate a most intelligent conspirator and adventurer. A Viking i n formal dress. Very pretty, the way h e intends t o have the two cruisers i n the Dardanelles shielded b y merchantmen sailing between them and

the forts. “One of those skippers will do that for 5 0 or 1 0 0 pounds.” Also, he is already mentally cutting telegraph lines, etc. What he reports about the Khedive is interesting, too. H e is

ambitious and might like t o become Sultan. The Arabian Nights!

Then: There is an Arab movement which intends t o make 2 descendant of Mohammed Caliph. The Caliphate was stolen by ®

I n French in the origin al.

THE cOMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1617

sultan Selim. Now i t ought t o be restored, as a sort of papacy with asRome! Mecca

Co

The Khedive, he said, had originally supported this movement.

March %, Vienna I inquired about Ali Nuri Bey from the Swedish colonel Melander, a likable soldier, who called on me today.

Melander shrugged his shoulders and said he only knew him by hearsay. Ali Nuri’s name in Sweden was Nordling. March 1 2 , Vienna

To Crespi (reply t o his letter of the 4th inst.):* Dear Sir;

[sincerely regret that m y letter should n o t have been sufficient to start your activities. I explained t o you, however, that I could not give authorizations of the kind you wish. I may soon send a representative t o Constantinople t o give me areport on the situation and t o see whether i t is really worth m y

while to trouble myself once more. My confidential agent will stay there only a few days, but you will be able to get i n touch with h i m . With kindest regards, Herzl.

Authori zation for Kahn.*

ToDr. L. Kahn, attorn

Dear Sir:

ey.

Inmy capacity as chairman of the Council of the Jewish Colonial rust of London I hereby authorize you t o enter into negotiations *In French in the or ig in al .

1618 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL with the Imp. Ottoman Govt. as m y representative for renting the administrative revenues of the Sanjak o f Acre and for a loan to be

obtained for the Imperial treasury. With kindest regards, T h . Herzl.

March 18, Vienna T o D e Fiori:

Ask him what he intends t o d o after failing t o take the only

effective step I requested of him. *

*

*

‘To Kahn, Orient Express, Sofia:

Please read the letters I gave you carefully once more. Wire me o n your arrival. I shall write you b y the Austrian mail. Benj amin .

Marc h 18, Vienna Reply from Tittoni, dated March 16:

Il ne peut que s’en remettre a la haute sagesse de son Auguste Souverain [He can only defer t o the lofty wisdom of his august sovereign]! (Quant a la lettre au Sultan [ I n reference t o the letter t o the Sultan).

March 2 2 , Vienna

I have sent Kahn and Levontin t o Constantinople.

"HE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1619

If they return bredouille [empty-handed], there will follow

Tell's second arro w: Ali Nun . ¥%

%

*

The road to Go luc how ski :*

Dear Mr. Kozmian:

Are you in Vienna? Have you still not completely forgotten your

humble servant? I have something t o tell you. Will you give me the great pleasure of meeting with me? You can telephone me a t m y house, N o . 17 14%, any day until noon, or at the Neue Freie Presse between g and 4 o'clock i n the afternoon.

Ever yours sincerely and devotedly,

Th. Herzl.

March go, Vienna

I was going t o use Col. Goldsmid as a cover for the Turkish business. But Goldsmid died in Paris two days ago. A loss.

April 1 0 , Vienna After mature deliberation—I can’t discuss the matter with anyone—I have rejected A l i Nuri’s proposal i n m y o w n m i n d .

Even though Kahn returned from Constantinople completely bredouille. What decided me was the consideration that i f the Undertaking failed a horrible massacre of the Jews would take placein Turk ey.

Lam now wondering whether I could not get some benefit out of AliNuri after all. If, for example, he were t o launch throug h the revolut ionary *In French in the or ig in al .

1620 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ]. papers the idea of approaching us for financial aid, this might have an effect on the Sultan. *

*

*

T o Jacob Schiff, Frankfurt: Dear Mr. Jacob H . Schiff:

Having heard from Mr. Th. H . Schlesinger of Frankfurt that you are i n Europe, I asked h i m t o arrange a meeting between us.

Last year, when I had the colonization of E l Arish (the northern half of the Sinai Peninsula) in mind, Lord Rothschild told me that he had written you about it—or did he say he was going to write you about it? And then didn’t bother t o d o so when the project came t o naught? M y memory may have let me down on this point. I n any case, I would like t o speak with you o n the subject of Jewish emigration. I have heard a great deal, and good things, about your efforts on behalf of our poor brethren. I w i l l therefore

make a projected trip t o Paris earlier than I had intended so that I may meet with you. I plan t o leave for Paris i n the course of next week and shall stop a t the Hotel Chatham, rue Daunou. However, should I be unable t o get away n e x t week, I shall perhaps go t o London on May 6th where, I hear, you intend to stay u n t i l May 1 0 t h . We would then have our meeting a t Lord

Rothschild’s. I would be grateful t o you for letting me know eéxactly how long and a t what hotel you plan t o stay in Paris and in London. With a respectful greeting, Yours faithfu lly, T h . Her zl.

Ap ril 1 9 , Vienna T o Ali Nuri Bey:

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F THEODOR HERZL 1621 Dear Sir:

regret beingunable t o consider your proposal. With respectful greetings,

Yours faithfully, Herzl.

April 29, Vienna Dear Lord Rothschild:

I plan to come t o London in June, because I have a few things to straighten o u t with the English government. I also hope t o see

you on this occasion. Since we last spoke with each other I have achieved a number of things, but unfortunately I have as yet been

unable to provide any definitive relief for the monstrous misery of our masses. There still is, alas, m u c h reluctance o n the part of those

who could help us. That is why some leading figures ought t o be wonover. Last year, when I was planning colonization on the Sinai Peninsula, you told me you would write t o Mr. Jacob Schiff in New York and get h i m t o take part i n the financing i f anything came

of the matter. As you know, the Sinai scheme ran aground at that time; but when I heard recently that Mr. Schiff was i n Europe, 1 let him know that I would like t o talk with him. I n any case, I Wanted to enlighten h i m about m y endeavors, which are so often misunderstood by the public, so that he might be available t o us if €veramajor project got t o the point o f impleme ntation. H e gave me a fairly willing answer, and I intended t o get together with

‘lM soon in Paris or in London. But now, unfortunately, something important prevents m e from going to London. Therefore

Mr. Schiff should visit you, you w i n h i m over for ®llaboration on the Jewish cause, in principle for the time being.

'Tequest that, i f

i , will learn the practical details from you o r from m e later, i n due lme,

1622 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

I hope that you are well, dear Lord Rothschild. With cordial regards, I remain Sincerely and respectfully yours, Herzl.

April 27, Vienna Dear Mr. Schiff:

This will acknowledge, with thanks, receipt of your kind letter dated Berlin, April 2 1 s t . You say that you are prepared “ t o the best of m y ability” t o give practical aid t o our oppressed and unfortunate people. Coming from you, that is a b i g statement, and I am

happy t o have received i t . D o n o t believe, however, that I intend t o make some fatuous attempt t o lure you onto all m y paths. 1 would simply like t o have your help, which I value very highly, on that stretch of the road which is common t o both of us. Don’t jump t o the conclusion, for Heaven's sake, that I want t o shnorr some

money from you for our cause. N o ! All that can be accomplished with alms here is to raise a wonderful breed o f shnorrers. What

I would like t o obtain from you is your participation i n each individual case which you are t o examine first. I was going t o submit m y practical proposals t o you in person. Unfortunately I now have reason t o fear that I shall be unable to get away from here either this or next week. M y professional duties are detainin g me here. However, since I do w a n t t o give you thorough information before you return to America, I a m sending you one o f m y best

personal representatives, Dr. Katzenelsohn of Libau, and beg you t o be kind enough t o receive h i m in London o n May 2nd. Considering the extreme modesty o f this m a n as well as the

fact that you will see h i m for the first time, i t may not be out of place to draw your attention to his worth. H e was originally a scientist—Helmbholtz’ assistant—and upon the death of his father took over the latter's large business establishment. H i s fortunate material circumstances have n o t made h i m insensitive to the

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1623

sufferings of our unfortunates, and I esteem h i m as one of our best men. That is why I also named h i m as m y representative t o the Russian government when Minister Plehwe asked me t o give h i m the name of such a ma n. With Dr. Katzenelsohn you can discuss everything in complete confidence, and h e has been given f u l l information b y me.

My only regret now is that I shall n o t

meet

you, dear Mr. Schiff,

in person. Let m e hope, however, that w e shall get closer to each

other in a work which is as great as the moral and material distress to be alleviated is horribl e. With respectful and friendly greetings,

Very faithfully yours, Herzl.

April 29, Vienna

Kozmian came i n yesterday and brought me a message from Goluchowski to the effect that the latter would receive m e between

sand 4 today or tomorro w. Kozmian had told h i m with reference t o myself: “Ilavu tous les souverains, méme le Pape, et maintenant désire vous voir [He has seen all the sovereigns, even the Pope, and now wishes to see you ].” Goluchowski replied that he thought he had known me i n Paris and added, smiling: “ A h , le Sionnisme [Ah, Zionism]!”

Well, we shall see what he meant by that. Pourvu qu'il n’y ait pas un ambassadeur chez lui, quand je viens [Provided there is no

ambassador with him when I come].

M a y 2 , Vienna

The day before yesterday, Apri l goth, I had a big and poss ibly “onsequential discussi on with Goluch owski. This is my first chance

record it, for immedia tely afterwar ds I had to attend a consul-

1624 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL tation o f m y physicians w h o are sending m e t o Franzensbad for

6 weeks on account of my heart trouble. I had been feeling tired for a long time, but kept going. Goluchowski—half diplomatist, half financier, with grey whiskers and deep blue eyes—impressed me more favorably, particularly with respect t o his intelligence, than I had expected. H e had a superficial acquaintance with our cause, and we talked about i t a t length. T o please h i m I spoke French. H e speaks i t as well as I do; but he occasionally uses the intonations of the Comédie Francaise— pronouncing, e.g., consitdération with a very broad 4.

I can’t claim credit for winning h i m over t o Zionism, for in the course of our conversation he plainly became persuaded by his own arguments, and i n the end went much further than I had dared hope. I began b y saying:

“Tant que je n’avais rien de bien sérieux a vous apprendre, je n'ai pas voulu importuner V. Exc. [As long as I had nothing of real importance t o tell you, I didn’t wish t o trouble Y. Exc.].” Then I showed h i m the Grand Duke’s latest letter t o me, as well as Plehwe’s letter of December. H e glanced through the first; the second he read over twice, w i t h well-concealed astonishment.

Then—since Russia was i n favor—he immediately was quite

d’accord [in agreement] with me. For a time the conversation was carried o n only in arabesques. H e voiced surprise over t w o things. 1) That such a powerful anti-Semitic movement was able to

arise in France, with fifty or sixty thousand—a hundred thousand, a t the most— Jews o u t of a population of 38 million. I accounted for i t by Drumont’s talent and the hatred aroused by the Rothschilds. H e referred to the Dreyfus case and its explosive character, and i n appreciation of what I had said about Drumont, remarked that Lueger, too, was n o t le p r e m i e r v e n u [ t h e first o n t h e scene].

Moreover, he stated that he had an antipathy for anti-Semitism,

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1625 as he disliked everything exaggerated and unhealthy, although

naturally he felt closer t o a Christia n than t o a Jew. 2) He was surprised at the small number of Jews. If, for instance, the total population a t the time of Christ was only 100,000, and it doubled every fifty years, there surely ought t o be one billion Jews by today.

(I think this calculatio n is a b i t fantastic.) But I remarked gravely: “Nous avons subi des pertes cruelles au cours de notre histoire, surtout au moyen-dge [We have sustained grievous losses in the course of our history, especially during the Middle Ages].” To this he said: “Mais les chrétiens aussi ont été persécutés. Les premiers chrétiens par example [But the Christians too have been persecuted.

The early Christians, for example].” I countered: “Les premiers chrétiens étaient des Juifs [The early Christians

were Jews].” But if we couldn’t get together o n the philosophy of history, we were all the more d’accord o n practical matters. He told me about the misery of the Jews i n Galicia with which he, as a Galician land-owner, is well acquainted. “Ils crévent de farm et de misére [They are perishing of hunger and destitution].”

“Mais avant de mourir,” 1 said, “ils s’en iront aux partis revolu-

lionnaires [But before they die they will go over t o the revolutionary parties).” "lls y sont déja [They have already gone],” h e confirmed. So he is in favor of m y solution. Only, he feels that there must be no petty or half-way measures. I f it were a question of only one or two hundred thousand Jews, the Great Powers could not be stirred into action. B u t they could i f w e asked Turkey for land and

legal rights for 5-6 mill ion Jews. “Je ne demande pas mieux [I don’t ask for anything better],” Lexclaimed, “Will Your Excellency take t h e lead i n this move?”

This is n o t the right moment. W e are n o t through w i t h Macedonia yet. T h e Miirzsteg reforms have not yet been carried out.

1626 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ], That would have to be taken care o f first. Also, w e would have to

have a concrete plan for carrying i t out.” “How do you envision the implementation, Your Excellency?” “Ah, we would have to give this some thought. I t should be

given thorough consideration.” I briefly presented my scheme: The J.C.T. receives the concession, o n the basis of which it founds the Land Company with sufficient capital.

The Land Company administers the territory i n the name of the Sultan, pays h i m a redevance [tribute], and collects the taxes. The settlers become Ottoman subjects, the H o l y Places are extrater-

ritorialized. H e liked i t all. Still, he would prefer i t i f England took the initiative. H e would also like me t o secure support i n Hungary. When I told h i m that Koerber was sympathetic t o the cause, his reply

suggested a shrug, but all he said was: “You m u s t secure supporters in Hungary; speak with Count Tisza.” “Count Tisza may be afraid of offending his influential Jewish magnates who provide h i m with his Liberal elections.” “ B u t you'll still have t o win over the Hungarian government. I t 1s indispensable.” I then spoke briefly and satirically about the attitude of the Jewish big-wigs i n Austria. Here in Austria, I said, our cause was l i t t l e known, due to the

silence of the N . Fr. Pr. Explanation: Benedikt denies the existence of a Jewish people, whereas I affirm i t . “La preuve c’est que jen suts [The proof is that I am one of them].” “Et l u i , ” asked Goluchowski, “qu’est-ce q u ’ i l est? Protestant

[And he? What is he? A Protestant]?” “Non. I l appartient a une espéce que je n’ai jamais vue: t l est Autrichien. Je connais des Allemands, des Polonais, des Tchéques

—je n'ai jamais v u u n Autrichien [No. H e belongs t o a species which I have never seen: he is an Austrian. I know Germans, Poles, Czechs—but I have never seen an Austrian].” The Austrian Foreign Minister smiled i n agreement. And we reached an understanding that I would court Hungary

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1627 and try to induce England t o take the initiative and make a proposal. He considered the project o f leading the Jews to Palestine so praiseworthy that h e said, i n his opinion, every government ought to support i t

fina ncia lly!

Imagine the faces of the “patriotic” well-to-do Jews i f they could

have heard h i m say that! I t was further understood that I should call o n h i m again after the Delegations; and when h e saw m e o u t into the ante-room, h e shook my hands three times: “ A u revoir!” The valetaille [band o f servants] gave m e special treatment after

this long audience.

May 13, Franzensbad (broken down)* To Plehwe:**

Your Excellency: I have the honor t o communicate the following facts t o you.

Quite recently I put my friend Dr. Katzenelson of Libau i n touch with a very important American banker on Zionist business. On this occasion M . Katzenelson learned certain things which, in my humble opinion, would be rather interesting t o the Imperial Government. I have advised m y friend, w h o came here from London to give m e a report about his conversation , to request a n

audience with Y.E. immediatel y. M . Katzenelson, whom Your Excellency knows, is modest and retiring, and is afraid o f importuning you. I f i t were n o t for m y shattered health, I would have wired Y.E. and requested a n audience for myself—so much d o I believe that this matter could assume importa nce i n your hands.

I f M K . is granted an audience, he will a t the same time give the reasons why I have still n o t been able t o go t o Constantinople for negotiations wit h the Ott om an gov t. In

English i n the orig ina l. In French i n the ori gin al.

1628 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL

Begging Y.E. for your continued benevolence, and with the expression of m y high regard, T h . Herz l.

A t the same time I am writing to the hesitant Katzenelson. For Katzenelson had reported t o me that J. H . Schiff would be prepared to negotiate a Russian loan (strange to say, a t the request

of Lord Lansdowne and the English government), provided that something were done for the Jews in Russia. B u t i t is understood that this good deed would also have t o bring h i m (Schiff) more than the standard rate of interest. T o that Katzenelson had replied: What we need has been formulated by Dr. Herzl in his conversation with Plehwe. Schiff then asked for my “points,” as he wanted t o place them before the King of England with w h o m h e was going t o have a n audience;

Katzenelson gave him the points and brought me a copy here.

May 1 4 , Franzensbad T o Lippay:

M y very dear Friend: Unless I a m mistaken, you told m e that Archduke Eugen was

interested i n our cause and would be willing t o see me. I have just

learned that he is coming t o Carlsbad within the next few days. Would you inform h i m that I shall be taking the cure here until

the beginning of July and would go t o Carlsbad a t his request at any timer

Once more, good luck for your journey t o Rome. From your kind letter of yesterday I see with regret that you are

financially embarrassed again. I am sincerely sorry that I can’t place more a t your disposal now than I already have. I t would be a different matter i f you could achieve something

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 1629 definite for us i n Constantinopl e. T h e n I could draw amply o n our

movement's funds for your benefit, and you will believe that I would not lack the heart and the amicable disposition for it. With cordial regards and sincere devotion, Herzl.

May 1 4 , Franzensbad

ToSuzzara: My Dear Mr. Section Head: I t will probably be a few weeks before I have patched u p my heart a bit here, since i t is i n need of repair. But as I may now as-

sume a friendly interest in the Zionist cause on your part, I wouldn't want t o wait until m y return t o Vienna to draw your attention to a few things. Count Goluchowski was kind enough to promise me his assistance i f the matter were great enough to warrant concerted action on the part of the Powers. Consequently, Turkey would have to

be asked for a settlement area i n Palestine and the vicinity large

enough for five t o six million Jews. For various reasons C o u n t Goluchowski does not care to place himself at the head o f this campaign for the time being.

He would prefer i t if the initiative came from England. I f some Steps were taken by England, Count Goluchowski would fall into line; and I was i n a position to show h i m a secret document from the Russian government, addressed to me, which indicates that Russia too w i l l follow the English initiative. Similarly, the consent of Germany and I t a l y m a y already b e regarded as assured.

I shall show you, m y dear Mr. Section Head, all these confi-

dential documents. ‘The question now is how the whole thing may be formulated diplomatically. I made the following draft, which met with Count

1630 T H E COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZ], Goluchowski’s approval. Through one of the institutions which we founded some years ago t o prepare for this eventuality, the Jewish Colonial Trust of London, a L a n d Company* with sufficient capital w i l l be created. W e are already assured o f the participation

of leading bankers i n England and America i n this venture. This Land Company* undertakes the settlement of the previously mentioned territories, a n d handles the administration,

under the sovereignty of the Sultan. The Land Company* pays an annual tribute, a m o u n t t o be determined, t o the Turkish treasury and covers itself by collecting the taxes. Those settled by the Land Company* will become Turkish subjects. The Holy Places will be declared extraterritorialized. T h e Sanjak of Acre is envisioned as the staging area for the settlement.

These, roughly, are the main features. Since Baron Calice is i n Vienna a t present, i t would probably be of the greatest value t o inform h i m and enlist his active sympathy. Likewise, i t would be of the greatest benefit t o brief Count Mensdorft now for dealing with Lord Lansdowne where, as far as I gather from his conversations with the Lord, he is likely t o find smooth sailing. I really don’t know t o what e x t e n t I may be bothering you with these suggestions. M y excuse is the very friendly reception with which you have gratified and honored me. Pray accept, m y dear Mr. Section Head, the expressions of my

deepest respect.

You r devo ted serv ant,

T h . Herzl. * I n English i n the original.

THE COMPLETE DIARIES O F T H E O D O R HERZL 163]

May 16, Franzensbad. T o Schiff: Dear Mr. Sch iff:

My friend Dr. Katzenelsohn came here from London and told me of the extremely friendly reception you accorded h i m . Permit

me to thank you most warmly for this. D r . K . also told me that he gave you a copy of m y confidential instructions, a n action I

belatedly sanction, since I have absolute confidence i n your discretion. This entire matter 1s and must remain secret, particularly as

far as the gentlemen of the I.C.A. are concerned. For the present, anything may be expected from this quarter sooner than a readiness to help. Certainly there are some excellent people among the

directors of the I.C.A.; b u t as a body they have hitherto always shown themselves hostile whenever we have suggested truly great measures to meet a truly great need. I d o n ’ t know why these

gentlemen prefer t o fritter away the Hirsch money i n numerous petty and purposeless undertakings w h i c h represent anything b u t

Jewish colonization. I f i t weren't for the fact that our masses are perishing in misery and filth while a remedy remains unutilized, one might really make humorous reflections about i t . E.g.: The greatest enemy o f a last w i l l a n d testament is i t s executor. O r this: Hirsch’s relatives now a t least have the satisfaction of knowing that the poor Jews aren’t getting anything o u t of his money either. Actually, I long ago stopped d w e l l i n g o n the I . C . A . and 1ts blunders. T h e gentlemen w i l l come r u n n i n g after us when they are no longer needed. You are now acquainted w i t h m y l i n e o f t h i n k i n g from Dr. K .

and by my letter. [Here the Diary breaks off.]