... a man whose heart and soul are completely given to his people and
whose only thought and concern is the fate of his suffering Brethren, can-
not be opposed to the practical objects of Zionism.”^89
Schiff remained a non-Zionist in the years before America entered the
war (1914–17), and he responded with alacrity to new relief needs of the
yishuv. At the same time, criticism of his stand on Zionism as well as his un-
democratic leadership was reaching a climax. Yet a discernible shift toward
his acceptance of political Zionism was underway. By the end of the war,
Schiff stood on the brink of affiliation with the ZOA.
188 Jacob H. Schiff