New-York tribune., 1901-08-25
BY RABBI MAURICE THoRNER.


with intense interest studied the bsss-reiiefs
on the interior. There was the hero of IL all
Titus sitting the triumphal quadriga. driven
by the Goddess Roma. The seven branched
eandlestick and trophies taken from the temple
were here represented. And there the cap
tive Jews bringing up the rear of this triumphal
procession noted their bowed heads and de-
jected countenances. But something about these
prisoners OF made feel they had been
vanquished in everything but spirit. Despite
their lot, they looked proud a Maccabean.
serious like the Moses OF Michael Angelo
The day fast fading, yet fingered on the
spot. for everything here rich in historic
associations. Yonder stood the Colosseum.
which once red with the blood OF thousands
OF Christian martyrs. who died for the religion
the Jews had given them. In the distance rose
the dome OF ST. Peters synbolizing as Il were.
the spirit OF Judaism triumphant over pagan
Rome. Further lay the Appian Way along
which came the little Jew" ST Paul q prisoner
20 Rome. The Forum stretched before me-I
could see the Roman populace assembled: I
could hear their shouts OF Joy at the news that
Jerusalem had fallen. Near by was the hill
which stood the palace OF the mighty Caesars.
those halls OF splendor and crime now crumbled
in ruins the hiding place of bats. Yet that very
day had not seen near the Portico Of Octavia.
in the old Ghetto. the same race that had fought
mighty Rome? II is strange. this story of the
Jews; fl is dramatic. interesting and pathetic.
THE DISPERSION OF THE RACE.
For thousands OF years this race whose history
is bound up with that Of nearly every nation OF
antiquity has survived. On the monuments Of
Egypt and Assyria we find them. Cyrus and
Alexander knew them, and the story Of Jesus
and Christianity. Mahomet and Islam forms also
part Of the story Of the Jews
And what are they doing to-day, the descend
ants OF the captives sculptured there on Tituss
arch?
Scattered all over the earth. we fnd the Jews
to-day playing a more or less important role in
the destinies OF the nations among which they
live.
Fully three-quarters OF all the Jews Of the
world, or about eight million, have found their
permanent abode in Russia, Austria and the
Balkan States In Russia the Jewish question
Is not merely one Of religion and economics. but
also OF race and nationality. The whole fabric
OF Russia's power is built on racial national
and religious basis. uninterruptedly developed
for many centuries. The introduction OF "a
heterogeneous Jewish element into Russian ma
fionsi life was bound 20 meet with violent
repuise from the sovereign sutocratic power. as
well as from the people. The only European
country (excepting Turkey and the Netherlands)
which during the Middle Ages gave the Jews
sufficient 0reatnlng space was lnt lcihiti
dom OF Poland When. with the partition OF
Poland this great and solid mass. constituting
almost one-haif of the worlds Jewry. became
subject 70 Russia the latter had at once 70
erapple with question for the solution OF
which Il was less prepared than any other civil
nzed country Hence the adoption in rapid sue
cession on the part OF the autocracy, Of such
extreme and Numerically opposed policies as
was that Of enforced assimilation under Car
Nicholas on the one hand and Of cruel ex-
rlusion under his recent successors on the other
In Asiatic Russia there are forty-seven thou
sand Jews chiefly descendants OF such as have
been settled from time immemorfal in Caucasia
and Bokhara when these were still in the hands
Of ancient Scythians, Persians and Mongols
Being indigenous long before they came under
Russian sway. the latter power is wisely treat
Ing them on an equality with the other natives
Of its comparatively recent acquisitions In
strange contrast 10 fits conduct toward the Jews
OF Holy Russia proper.
IN SOUTHEASTERN EUROPE.
II was under the guiding spirit of Dsraeli's
diplomacy that the recognition OF the independ-
enoe of the small Danubian principalities. Great
ed by the treaty OF Berlin in 1878. was con-
eitioned upon the full emancipation and enfran-
rhisernent OF their Jews. While Servia and Bull
Earia, with their twenty thousand and FIVE thou
their pledge in granting them equal rights the
forty-fourth article OF the Berlin treaty re-
u1ained a dead letter in Rumania. There anti
semitisrn is assuming its acutest forms. Its
organized movement started early as 1862
on the alleged ground that rich Rumanian Jews
did not contribute toward the raising OF an
army to tight against Turkish supremacy.
In Greece too the situation OF the Jews is
unsettled. Modern Pan-Hellenism is hybrid
creature. born OF dream OF its devotees TO re-
vtve ancient classic Pan -Hellenism, originally
sathered by English liberalism for commercial
and ideal reasons and subsequently aided and
abetted by Pan-Savists who have learned 70
look upon IL useful and helpful annex TO
their own imperialistic aspirations. Two Of these
elements the classic dreamers and the Pan-slav-
fist psrti.ans in Greece. decidedly anti-Jew-
ish. whereas the Anelophiles are more friendly
disposed from combined motives OF expediency.
justice and humanity The six thousand Jews
OF Greece Cthe majority OF whom live in Corfu.
are politically enfranchised since 1s49.
In Austria Hungary. owing 10 the noble spirit
and enlightened mind Of Emperor Joseph
II, the emancipation began 70 dawn
for the Jews as early as 1883. decade before
the outbreak OF the French Revolution. In that
year Joseph II abolished the ''Leibzoll." ig-
nominious poll tax, universally. extorted from
Jews in medieval christendona 90 brand them as
pariahs and outcasts. With the early demise
OF the Emperor and the beginning OF the reac-
fionary movement in Central Europe. following
close upon the Napoieonc era, the political lib
GRAFTON Of the Jews was suspended until 1867.
when their last disabilities were removed by
the cooperation OF a liberal government and a
popular representative Diet though already in
iszs Austrian Diet. created and moved by
the revolutionary wave ~ IN. ,traes had elec,sd