If the statements received from Russia are correct, Baron Hirsch's
scheme for removing Russian Jews to America, North and South, will not come to much. The Government of St. Petersburg promises to help him ; but the emigrants are to be picked, are to be granted loans, and are to be sent off in bands not exceeding one hundred each. Supposing such a band to start every day, that is only 36,500 emigrants a year, which will not suffice to keep down even the natural increase of the population. All the plan will do will be to gut the Jewish community of its most energetic members. It would be far simpler, and in the end cheaper, to leave the movement almost to itself, only providing cheaper tickets for the rail- ways and the steamers. The regulated transport of a people of five millions from one continent to another, is a feat which has never been accomplished, and, we venture to believe, never will be. Baron Hirsch may in ten years relieve a vast mass of misery ; but the great problem, the existence of an alien race among a people who dislike them, will remain as insoluble as
over.
Previous page
