The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-06

eminent under a regency, and the Chamber
forthwith proceeded to elect now ruler
Their choice fell first upon the Count OF Flan-
ders the younger brother Of the King OF Bel
GUM. but as Napoleon III. did not favor this
selection Roumania was forced to look else
where for q candidate. Eventually the Cham
Der fixed upon Prince Charles Of Hohenzollern.
and on Good Friday. 1865 the Roumanian del
eRate, Joan Bratanu. arrived at Dusseldorf to
lay the offer OF the Roumanian people before
Prince Charles and his father. With the per-
mission OF King William Of Prussia the offer
was eventually accepted. and In May Of the
same year the new ruler Of the principally
arrived at Bucharest.
word should. OF COURSE be said about the
descent and relationships OF the man who be-
gan to rule Roumana thirty-three years ago.
Prince Charles was the second son of tho late
Prince Charles Anthony OF Hohenzollern Sig
marinRen the elder South German Roman
Catholic branch Of the house OF Hohenzollern.
whereof the German Emperor is the chief. Up
to the year 1S49 the Hohenzollcrn- Sigmarin-
gems. whose dominions we're situated between
Wnrtemberg and Baden. near the spot where
the Danube rises In the Black Forest. pos
sessed sovereign rights as the heads of one OF
the independent prinripalities OF the German
Charles Anthony formally renounced for
himself and his descendants. and volun-
tary coded them to Prussia on Dec. 7.
1S43. Prince Charless mother was Prin-
cess Josephine OF Baden. herself q daughter
OF the Grand Duchess Stephane Beauhar-
nais. He was born April 20, 1899.
at the ancestral castle on the Danube, and the
first ten years Of his life were passed there or
in the neiGhborhood. After his fathers re-
nunciation of the hereditary estates the family
settled first in Prussian Silesia and then at
Dusseldorf After studying for seven years in
Dresden. Prince Charles passed successfully
his ensign's examination and was presently
gazetted Second Lieutenant in the Prussian
Artillery OF the Guard. A thorough knowledge
OF the practical part OF his profession was ac-
CURED at the fortress Of Jnlich. Then. after a
short stay at the University OF Bonn he re-
sumed military duties as First Lieutenant in
the Second Dragon Guards. stationed at Ber-
lin. During the war against Denmark he took
part, as an orderly officer to his friend. the
Crown Prince OF Prussia. in the siege and as
sault of the Dnppel intrenchmerts. the capture
OF Fridericia and the invasion OF Jutland. The
experience thus gained OF war and camp life
was subsequently OF great benefit to the young
soldier when he was called upon to achieve
the Independence of Roumania on the battle
fields Of Bulgaria.
The first Roumanian Ministry under the new
regime was composed OF members Of all politi-
cal parties Its chief task was to secure the
recognition OF the German ruler by the pow
ers. 1t was only after long and troublesome
negotiations that this was secured. Meanwhile
the Chamber was busted over the draft of a
new Constitution. The Prince insisted upon
an Upper and Lower House. as well as upon an
unconditional and absolute veto. while the
Assem- bly wishpd IN ~ a nnnrnly al ya
veto series Of heated debates arose also on
the question OF granting political rights to the
Ronmanan Jews. The excitement spread
rapidly through the country to Bucharest.
where riotous mob destroyed a newly erected
synagogue. Thereupon the unpopular sec
tions OF the Constitution were abandoned by
the Government in Difference to the wishes OF
the Jews themselves Tho veto question: on
the other hand. was decided in favor OF the
Prince. As from that time to this the Jewish
question has given great trouble in Roumania.
it may be well to note in this place the view
taken of it 10y the author OF these reminis-
cenCeS
1t seems that the bulk OF the jewish popula-
ton Of Roumania is settled in the province OF
Moldavia. where II holds mortgages on the
greater part of the estates. The Jews in this
province also monopoize to a very large ex-
tent the traffic in spirits. and most OF the
retail trade lies in their hands. According to
our author they were always ready in times OF
famine to lend money at exorbitant rates to
the Needless landowner and ignorant PEASANT
and thus acquired hold on them which could
not be shaken off. We are told that the peas
ant was sometimes forced to pay as much as
80 per cent. month on loans. That the
treatment OF the Jews in Roumana Is. never
theless. much less harsh than that which
they experience in the dominions OF the
Car must be inferred from the fact that there
Is a continual inpour OF them from Poland
and southern Russia. 1t appears that Sir
Moses Monterore. who visited Roumania in
1857 Tor the purpose of investigating person.
ally the condition OF his co-relgionists in
formed Prince Charles that he could not dis
cover any persecution OF the Jews In Waachia,
and on his return to England he declared
through the press that tho situation Of his
brethren In Roumania had been painted in
colors far too dark. 1t was only the next year.
however. that the Roumanian Chamber enacted
law containing the following oppressive pro-
visions: Jews may only settle In urban dis
tricts by permission OF the Town Council but
on no condition and for no length Of time
in the rural districts. They are not allowed
to own real property in the towns or
In the country; sales and purchases in
their favor are null and void. They are,
also. forbidden to become tenants OF farms.
vineyards public houses. hotels kins. bridges.
&C., or to manage the same. and neither tho
State nor communities are to intrust them
with contracts. Finally. they are not to sell
food or liquor to Christians. but only TO Jews"
This measure was strenuouslv but unsuccess-
fully opposed by the Liberal leader. Bratianu,
who was in consequence overwhelmed with
contumely. and, on one occasion. stoned by an
anti-Semitic mob. There is no doubt that the
at tIn 49, Iva pN,
affected the welfare OF tho country in Its Young
days very seriously. as tho great Jewish capt.
| talists in London Paris. Frankfort, Vienna
and Berlin supported the demands OF the Jew
ish population for the franchise by refusing to
aid the nascent state In its financial troubles
The anti-Roumanian feeling provoked in Eng
land. France and part OF Germany was, for