Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1877-09-05

Report frOm the United States Minister
on the Condition of Israelites in the
Ottoman EmDire

ottoman Empire.
A dispatch has been received at the
Department of State from the United
States Minister to Turkey giving interest
ing details concerning the number,
status, and persecution of the Israelites
in the Ottoman Empire The total num-
Der of Israelites in the empire is given
at 100000. Of this total Roumania
contains 100000, Asia JIG Turkey $4,000,
European Turkey $4,000, Servia 1000,
etc. The United States Minister says
that justice to the Turk compels him to
admit that the Israelites have been bet
ter treated by the Ottoman than by
many of the Western Powers, and that
the impression prevails that they are
better treated in the Empire than the
Christians. They are recognized as an
independent religious community, with
the privileges of their own ecclesiastical
rule, their chief rabbi, Chaeham Bashi,
possessing, In consequence of his func-
tons, great influence The Turkish
Minister Of Foreign Affairs protested
to Mr. Maynard that where Turkish rule
obtained the Israelites always enjoyed
every privilege and immunity accorded
by the laws to Ottoman subjects.
The only maltreatment of Israelites
which has been brought to the notice of
the United States Legation at Constanti-
nople during the official term Of Mr.
Maynard was that of the Rabbi Smeer-
sohn. an American citizen. On the 2Sth
of November 1874, the Rabbi was set
upon by his own co-religionists, certain
Jews at Tiberias, robbed of consider
IL Il, Of, ",
treated by being imprisoned, stoned,
stripped naked, and ridden in that con-
dition through the streets of Liberals,
barely escaping with his life. The
United States Consul at Beyrout went
to Tiberas and had the perpetrators ar
rested. Some claimed British protec-
ton, and escaped by flight. The friends
of the others assembled, overpowered
the authorities and rescued them. The
Legation at Constantinople then took
up the subject, and it was being salts
factorily pushed as fast as possible UNI
der the circumstances. when the rabbi,
doubtless tired out and Impoverished,
left for France, and in his absence moth
ing further could be done.
The position which the Israelites hold
III Vic LII JllS, Viz coliII1io-N hy''oi''
situations and the heterogenity of the
races by which they are surrounded,
the state of civilization and religious
animosities which prevail, the little au-
thority exercised by the Ottoman Gov
eminent over the provinces, even in or
binary times protesting that it should
not be held responsible for abuses in the
provinces render the whole subject not
only difficult of solution, but even diff
cult of explanation. Some of the Is
raelites claim to be under British pro-
lection: others have been under Russian
protection Many hold themselves as
an Independent people, owing no allegi-
ance to any Government, and 1t only
when prosecuted or outraged they seek
the protection of any or all human
powers. While all Governments, notably
the United States Government foremost
of all, are most anxious to extend the
necessary sympathy and protection, in
ternational questions and equities inter
fere with and prevent that full protec-
ton which they would receive were
they fixed citizens of any Government.
The United States Minister at Con-
stantinople has requested the Consular
officers of his Government throughout
the Ottoman Empire to observe care
fully the condition Of the Israelites
within their several Jurisdictions, and to
report to the Legation at Constantinople
without delay any instances Of perse-
cutions of that people which may oc-
cur.