Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-09-21
TELEPHONES.
SECRETARY HAYS PROTEST.


All Of the Great Powers Of Europe were
narties signatory to the treaty OF Berlin
which gave Roumania its charter OF IN
dependence, and contrary to general e1-
mediation, none ofTthem have shown any
inclination to resent Secretary Hays pro-
test in behalf of the down-trodden ana
friEhtfully prosecuted Roumanian Jews.
So far from this, save for fanatical anti
Semitic organs that trade on stimulating
senseless prejudice against the race. the
tone Of the papers OF two of the con-
tinental sponsors indicates clearly that
the governments of those sponsors sy1npa-
tnize with Mr.. Hays note; while 1t is
stated that the British Foreign Office
has already taken steps formally rein
forcing it.
The continental countries in which the
protest has been we'll received by the in
spired and senai-inspireu press, are Ger
many ana Austria, but Vienna special
says that although lit is admitted there
that the position of the United States is
Just one. it is argued that the conditions
tn the Balkans at the time Of the sign
Ing of the Berlin treaty and now are two
entirely different things. That however,
is aside from the question of responsible
ity, and the obligations of the contract
made between the signatory Powers and
Roumania in the interest of humanity
and religious, civil and political rights.
Article a. of the Treaty Of Berlin, de-
clares that in "Roumania the distinctions
of religious belief are to be as in ar
ticle hve" thus as to this matter plac-
Ing Roumania on the same basis as Bull
garia. And article reads:
The following arrangements shall form
the basis of the public law of Bulgaria:
Distinction of religious belief or confess
eion shall not operate against any one
rs reason of exclusion or incapacity in
What concerns the enjoyment of civil and
political rights. admission to public en-
Joy1nent, functions or honors, or the eN
ercise of different professions or indus
tries in whatever locality 1t may be.
The liberty Of the pubic profession of all
creeds shall be assured to all the re-
as to strangers, and no trammels will
be imposed on the hierarchic organiza-
tions of the different communions or their
relations with their. spiritual chief
In granting Roumania its charter of
independence, the Powers assumed be-
fore the world the responsibility Of see
ing that these stipulations were observed,
on1 An 4prr POW, orfo in occa,+3,r }hA
charter, assumed an obligation to carry
them out in good faith. But hardly had
the emancipated province been proclaimed
a Kingdom ere, by and With the con-
sent Of the government was instituted
systematic persecution OF the Jews. which
has continued to this day. and Increased
in the cruelty Of its features until the
sufferings Of the race in Roumania have
been as great as they have ever been
Darkest Russia" Under one pretenso
or another. and by resort to various in
famous subterfuges. the Roumanian au-
thorities have violated every pledge they
gave the Powers and on the other hand
the latter have shamelessly ignored or
shlrhed the guarantee tney gave human
ity and civilization when they opened tn
way for the erection Of Roumanian
Kingdom. The changed conditions in the
Balkans do not relieve any party to
the contract from the obligation to en-
lure the Romanian Jews the enjoyment OF
the rights enumerated in article S, and
against the horrible oppression and mer-
CHESS ostracism from the domain OF in
dustry to which they have been for years
and are now being subjected No such
suggestion as that which comes from
Vienna can afford the Powers an excuse
for further neglecting their duty of spon-
sorship. That duty is to force Roumania
to ameliorate the condition of Its Jewish
subjects. if the government fails to do
SO voluntarily. 1t lies In compelling the
kingdom. II necessary, to live up to both
the spirit and the letter of article s. SO
that the Ropmanian jews may have an
equal opportunity with all other people OF
the country for making living, and may
rise in all vacations and professions. as
their co-re,igionists have risen wherever
hey have been free from persecution.
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