KINGDOM OF ISRAEL.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2378, 30 October 1880, Page 3

KINGDOM OF ISRAEL.

The Paris correspondent of the ‘ Sydney Morning Herald ’ writes : “ The projected restoration of the Kingdom of Israel, alluded to in a recent letter, seems to be taking the shape of a serious project, and one of probable fulfilment. It is even believed that Mr Goscben is charged to urge upon the Sultan’s acceptance a plan for forming into a Jewish province the districts of Gilead and Moab, which comprise about 300,000 hectares, and are now inhabited only b} r a few nomad tribes. The Ottoman Government would retain its suzerain rights over this territory, which was formerly the part of the Promised Land set aside for the tribe of Gad, Reuben, and Manassch, and would receive, in return for its concession, a handsome number of millions from certain Jewish capitalists, who have undertaken that they shall be forthcoming. Sir Moses Montefiore and several other wealthy Israelites are greatly interested in this plan, which, on the other hand, does not seem to be repugnant to the Sultan. The new province, which would form the nucleus of the restored kingdom, would be subjected to the authority of a prince of Jewish race and religion. As soon as the consent of the Turkish Government shall have been obtained, two railways are to be made, the one running from Jaffa (the ancient Joppa) to Jerusalem, the other from Haifa to the other side of Jordan ; and, at the same time, a canal will be cut from the Mediterranean to the Gulf of Akaba. No doubt seems to exist as to the possibilities of Palestine as a great producer of fruit, wine, and oil, if redeemed from its long slumber of neglect and abandonment.”