The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-02
WILL THE JEWS IN ROUMAHIA BE
RIGHTRDY


However much the treaty OF Berlin may
have been consured in some quarters. one
clause at least received unqualified approval in
all civilized countries. We refer 20 the provision
making the Independence OF Roumania hinge
on tho relieving OF the Jows from the grievous
disabilities under which they labor I'm that
country. While all the other agreements
reached by the Congress are being carried out.
this alone meets with resistance beRotten OF
medieval prejudice and rancor, and which only
the resolute expression OF public opinion is
likely TO overcome. The delays and remon-
strances which the fulnlment OF this pledge
have encountered at Bucharest. and the pre-
texts on which the Roumanians seek to justify
their attitude toward the Jews. are calculated to
arouse surprise and indignation.
Nothing could be moro explicit and peremp-
tory than the principle laid down at Berlin. and
made applicable not only to Roumnnia. but to
all the Danuban States hitherto bound by ties
OF vassalage to the Porte. but whose autonomy
was conditionaly acknowledged. 1t was de-
clered that the difference OF religious creeds
shall not be alleged against any person as a
ground for exclusion or incapacity In matters
relating to the enjoyment Of civil and political
rights. admission to public employments. func-
tons and honors. or the exercise OF the various
professions and industries. The disabilities
here stigmatized. and which have happily van
ished from the codes OF western Europe are
still enforced in Moldavla and Wallachia with u
rigor only paraleled by those atrocious statutes
which De Quincy has described in his
"Avenger." and which disgraced some towns
Of Germany SO late as the end OF the last cen
fury Moreover. the jealousies OF creed and
race have led to persecution. not only Of per-
dual N lint ~
nonresident visitors and sojourners. Accord
inely. special clause was inserted in the treaty
providing that the subjects and citizens Of all
the powers. whether traders or travellers shall
be- treated in Roumania without distinction OF
religious faith. on footing OF perfect equality.
II ia plain that stipuations so strictly framed
were not meant to be evaded. and II is astonish-
ing that the Roumanian Ministry should think
Il possible to persuade enlightened Govern
ments to waive them.
Just this however. lie the aim OF strenuous
diplomatic efforts now making while highly
educated and accomplished citizens OF Rou-
mania have seriously undertaken. by letters 10
English and French journals. to sway the pub
lie mind OF Europe against the Jews. For IN
stance. one Of the most distinguished mem
bers OF the Roumanian Senate. Mr. Jon Ghica.
who was lately professor in the Jassy Uni
versity. endeavors TO convince the world
that the Israetes in his country arc treat
ed quite rs well MS they deserve. He begins
by denying tho fact Of persecution but this
statement strikes us rs dsingepuous when
construed with his admission that the Rou-
manian Jew has at present no political
rights. and Is not entitled to hold landed
property. Neither do we anticipate much
success for his attempt to ALLEVIATE the
sympathles OF the great Hebrew bank
ers in Western cities from their oppressed
brethren. by sharp distinction between what
he calls Spanish Jews and their coreigionists
Of Polish origin who have emigrated from Ga
licia and the Russian provinces The former
class which the defender of intolerance con-
cedes TO be respe table, do not aggregate. he
says, more than $1,000 whereas the latter
are constantly pouring into Roumania in great
quantities. and already reach the number OF
400 olJ-that is 10 say nearly ten per cent OF
the whole population. These Polish jews. We
are informed 10y Mr.. Ghiea. are ignorant and
fanntical gain their living by low means or by
eNtortion, and have nothing whatever in com
mon with the customs. feelings. and aspirations
OF the Roumanians. The recent Hobrcw emf
grants ara specially charged with exercising
the trafllc Of money-en ling at exorbtani rates..
and with drugging the Moldayian peasant with
| adultorated spirits. chiefly ON credit for which
they exact all his next years produce. and thus
acquire a monopoly Of the food supply.
1t seems incredible that man Of emlne nee
and education should thus lend his voice t.
echo the Old cutlery of nero prejudice and
spite How can wo blame the Israclitas for alb
stinence from those agricultural vacations
which are the sole avenues OF production In
Roumania. bat from which they ara confessedly
dobarred by law? Whose fault is it that the,
connne themselves for the most part to money
lending and liquor selling. which are almost
| the only forms OF trallc practised in Modayan
or. for that matter. in Russian villages AS I,
| the premium asked for money that is doubtless
| largely determined by the grave risk Attending
the recovery Of loans through tho instrumen-
| tally OF Roumanian courts and Iures. Thi-
charge Of usury is the stock preteXt for spolia-
ton and massacre OF which medieval ruleu
used 10 avail themselves Yet it is not a viii
moro preposterous than the assumption
that Jewish liquor dealers arc responsible
for the drunkenness OF the agricultural ropula
| tion. Arc We to suppose that tho peasants II
Modavia would suddenly become temperate.
they were forced 10 buy thcirspi of Christian
innkcepcrs2 Is that found 10 DO the case il
Russia or in Englnnl? Or is there ground /
believe that the native Roumanian would be-
| come any less Wustciul and INDECENT when free
! from the competition Of n rnce whose thrift an.
thuu7,ry ar, pronAo.y " quHHurs which cA
stress ON III, multitude ~ lsra"Ntes IN hi
country aud contrasts them with tho sma
number of thcir curcligiouists in ENGLAND. II
might have added that thrrr arc still fewer II
scotland and in our own New England States
iorthc rnas On. perhaps. that Hebrews, trained a
they nre 20 toll AMI priNttion by centuries %
hnrdshipS, cannot pretend 10 ouls'rlp Scotch
man or "A Yankee in energy and frugality A
for the taunt that the Jews DO not share IN
feelings and aspirations of other citi2ens thi
has favor of grim irony I'm the mouth OF on
who would refuse them the rights. hopes, an
| opportunities of the native Roumaniun.
| ON the whole. this Roumauinn protest thr
| No J"W must ho dsitAnrhiscd, will prohah
b. ranked in tho Same category with the Call
| tornian cutlery that the Chinese must z,
| IucktN the great powers are certain 10 dos
| with the former claim I'm the right spirit and I
| inform the Roumanian ENJOYS that a loyal CON
| pliauco VITA the prlncipes OF humanity lai
| down In Tie Berlin trnAtY - a cnnllt on nrrl