The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-10-14
THE jews OF ROUMANIA
A Report on the Conditions Sur
rounding the Pauper Class.
American Charitable Societies Aid
ing Emisrntion to Rrnzil-Aliens
I'm Their Native Lnnd-Debnrred
From Citizenship and Shut Out Of
1iany CallinIs-CannOt own Farms

Immigrant Inspector Robert Wa clorn
who has just returned from Roumania
where he looked into the causes of the
recent immigration of pauper Rouman
ian Jews into this country, has submit eel
his report to Assistant Secretary Taylor,
of the Treasury Department.
Mr.. Watchorn does not fear any fur
Their influx of the pauper class from that
country. He declares that the Jewish
societies are now fostering emigration TO
Brazil, and thousands will go to that
Republic.
Touching on conditions in Roumania.
Mr. Watchorn points out that the Jews
are considered aliens until naturali1ei,
and that it is very difficult for them ID
obtain citizenship. In dealing with the
subject. Mr.. Watchorn says that in TWEEN
ty years only seyentyone Jews have been
naturalized by act of parliament, which
requires a two-third majori vote Eight
hundred Jewish Heroes of Pleyna," or
soldiers in the war of 1877. have been
collectively naturalized, but the Jews de-
clare that of these more than leo are
still without their naturalization pa 1ers
lacking which they have no civil rights
Under the guise of iegislating against
foreigners, laws are passed by the Gov
eminent that prohibit the Jews from en-
terinS many walks of life.
Roumanian Hebrews says the report,
cannot follow the occupations of lawyer,
pedlar, apothecary, liquor dealer, or stock
broker They may not even reside in
Roumania. except in one of the seventy
one towns set apart for them, and any
Jew may be expelled even from these
towns on representations of police Off
Gals. No Jew can acquire. work, or hold
land in any rural district, nor may he
reside in the country
Mr. Watchorn says: ITO deprive man
of the right to own, rent or labor on a
farm or garden in a peculiarly agricul-
tural country, must be recognized as a
tremendous hardship. But TO follow that
up with the closing of the greater part
of the avenues Of endeavor, greatly in
tensifies the severity of the nardships TO
which he is subjected. And as though the
foregoing deprivations were not consid-
cred sufficient still further impeachment
to his advancement is found in the regu-
lation which forbids employers of labor
to employ Jew until they have first
employed two Christians, a ratio which
they must strictly follow, no matter how
many they employ.
"Of course, all Government employ
ments are denied to Jews. But they are
compelled to do military service under
the CONSUMPTION law, yet equal advance
ment is here denied to them on the ground
that they are Aliens
The report says that the conditions IN
der which the Jews live in their own
homes is not SO bad as 1t is among many
sweatshop districts of this country.
In regard to the recent exodus of Rou-
manian Jews to America, Mr.. Watchorn
says that the Zionist Congress move
ment" was credited with having not only
inspired it, but with having managed it
from start to finish"
In summing up the matter the report
says that commercial jealousy is the real
cause Of Roumania's distrust of the Jews.
The pauper Jews would like to come to
the United States, but the recent return of
those who attempted to land here is an
object lesson to them. In future the pau
per classes will avoid this country. and
only those who are self-supporting will at
tempt to emigrate hither