New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-18
AND NAVY

go, Corbin granting furloughs to soldiers
:, the Jewish faith who wish to attend religious
..rvdces during the holidays which began on
p,day evening caused some comment and
y,tle criticism from those people who thought
the order uncalled for. because they believed
,ba, there were no Jews in the United States
Army.
The records have not been compiled. and can
IN. he perfected for some time to come. but the
men who have given the matter attention esti-
nste the number Of Jews in the Army and the
Navy at about four thousand. They have been
,ecruited from all parts Of the country and
,roro all walks OF life. and include many
sAacers. In the inquiry into the Maine disas-
Tor which precipitated the conflict with Spain.
. low Lieutenant Commander Mark. acted as
Jndee Advocate and Jews were among the SOL
diers who saluted the flag as it was hOisted over
the municipal building at Santiago. There was
mt an engagement during the war In which
LEWIS did not take part. and many Jewish names
anrear on the lists Of killed and wounded and Of
those who died in hospitals. When the war
hroke out the Jews showed much interest In
the pending contest. and one Of the East Side
targon papers said
eye do not only remember the Maine but
We remember also the horrible prosecutions OF
. our people by Spain. the rack the torture cham
Der. and the synagogues converted into slaugh-
ter-pens BY the Spaniards. We remember that
our brother Jews were driven away from their
homes and that through the tyranny Of Spain
they became poor wanderers. although they
left fortunes behind to be confscated by the
Prosecutors We love the country where we
Ehave found freedom and we can show it by
Taking up arms with it against our old enemy.
~ THOUSANDS READY TO VOLUNTEER
%
II was then proposed to recruit volunteer or
limitations in the Ghetto, and have Jewish
companies. and possibly battalons or regiments
prominent Jewish citizen went so far as to
telegraph to President Mckinley that 300
Jews ready at his call in New-York City
alone. But the movement was not encouraged
by the leaders in the Jewish community, who
said that Jewish regiment would be un-
American and as much out Of place Cath
ole Methodist Presbyterian military
body. But they encouraged men to enlist. mot
a. Jews but az American Citizens and In that
way they joined the Army and every regiment
which left New-York had Jews either In its
ranks or among its officers.
Among those who enlisted were many who be-
cnged TO the ultra orthodox class. Some people
wondered how they would manage to exist on
rations composed in part Of pork. which is con-
sdered unclean according to the ancient dietary
laws. One OF the rabies who was instrumental
IN securing the furlough order said on this
point
There are no laws in the Jewish faith
which outweigh the laws OF the land, and no
matter where the Jew may live. II is his duty
TO conform 10 the laws OF the land. and, be-
ing in the Army, II Is his duty TO subsist as the
orders prescribe. Even the observance Of the
Sabbath is not compulsory when its observance
conflicts with the Jews duties as citizen. and
this point was decided in the time Of the Mac
cabeans"
Although there are no Jewish chaplains In
the Army. there have been Jewish religious ser
rces at several of the camps on occasions when
soldiers wished to celebrate a death anniversary
when the last rites for the dead were read.
JEWS IN MODERN WARFARE.
Max Cohen the secretary OF the Orthodox
Jewish Congregational Union OF America said:
The Jews had large representation in the
volunteer army which is now being disDanded.
and the history Of modern wars shows that
wherever the Jews have the rights Of citizens
they become soldiers. During the Franco-Ger-
man War services were held on an important
holiday IL the field at which hundreds OF Jew
sh soldiers worshipped and the records show
hat similar services were held In the South
during the War Of the Rebellion. Many OF the
Jews who were members Of the present volun-
ieer army have been discharged. but It is be-
ueved that the names will be reported. so that
he fact may be established that the Jew did
DIS share Of the hghting."
It vas the assertion on the part OF a we'll