Stenographisches Protokoll der Verhandlungen des … Zionisten-Kongresses … in … · 1903-01-01 · 6 (1903) Basel, 23. bis 28. August 1903 · p. Seite 216

— 216 — into between His Majesty's Government and tbe Jewish Colonial Trust Ltd. for tlie establishment of a Jewish settlement in Eeast Africa. His Lordship lias also had mider Iiis consideration tbe remarks made by you on 6tbe inst. 011 tbe occasion of your interview in this offiee with Sir E. Barrington and Mr. Hurst. I am now directed by His Lordsbip to say tbat be has studied tbe question with tbe inerest which His Majesty's Government must always take in any well-eonsidered scbeme for tbe amelioration of tbe position of tbe Jewish Bace. Tbe time at bis disposal bas been too short to enable bim to go fully into tbe details of tbe plan or to discuss it witb His Majesty's Commissioner for tbe East Africa Protectorate, and be regrets tbat be is tberefore nnable to pronounce any definite opinion in the matter. He understands tbat tbe Trust desire to send some gentlemen to tbe East Africa Protectorate, who may ascertain personally whether tbere are any vaeant lands suitable for tbe purposes in qnestion, and^ if tbis is so be will be bappy to give tbem every f acility to enable tliem to discuss witb His Majesty's Commissioner tbe possibility of meeting the view whicb may be expressed at tbe fortbcoming Zionist Congress in regard to tbe conditions lipon wbicb a settlement migbt be possible. If a site can be found wbicb tbe Trust and His Majesty's Commissioner consider suitable and wbicb commends itself to His Majesty's Government^ Lord Landsdowne will be prepared to entertain favourably proposals for tbe establisbement of a Jewisb. colony or Settlements on conditions wbicb will enable tbe members to observe tbeir National customs. For tbis purpose be would be prepared to discuss (if a suitable site had ben found and subject to tbe views of tbe advisers of the Secretary of State in East Africa) tbe details of a scbeme comprising as its main features: tbe grant of a considerable area af land, tbe appointment of a Jewisb Official as chief of tbe local administration, and permission to-the Colony to bave a.Jree hand in regard to municipal legislation and as to tbe management of religious and purely domestic matters, such Local Autonomy being conditional upon tbe right af His Majesty's Government to exercise a general control. Tbere is no need at present to consider tbe details of tbe terms which the land would be granted, whetber by sale or lease, but His Lordship assumes that no portion of the administrative expenses of the settlement would fall on His Majesty's Government^ and the latter would reserve power to reoccupy the land if the settlement should not prove a successs. I am, Sir, your most obedient bumble servant (signed) Clement Hill.