The Press., 1902-09-25
WASHINGTON LETTER.
washington, Sept. %. 1902.

Inc uOCo WniCu Cn0 secretary OL St6to
has addressed to those European powers
which are signatories to the treaty of Ber-
lin, protesting at the cruel and unjust
treatment of the Jews by the government
OF Roumania, In absolute violation of the
provisions of that treaty, must prove a
source of qualification to every fair mind
ed citizen Of this country. The condition
Of these unfortunate people, numbering
entire population, Is not only deplorable,
but 1t is disgrace to the civilization of
Europe. AT the same time 1t is doubtful
II this government would have felt a,l-
thorized to take this step, were 1t not for
the fact that American immigration Is
being seriously affected by the persecu-
ton, thus dire ctingly interesting the
United States In the affair. While the
dictates of humanity would seem to amply
warrant the step taken by Secretary Hay,
the policy of the United States has been,
and is, to avoid, in so far as may be, all
international complications, especially In
so far as they affect other continents, but
In this instance the proscriptive laws en-
forced by Roumania against so large a
portion of Its population, are operating to
drive to the shores of the United States a
class of people whom the secretary de-
scribes as necessarily likely to become q
burden to the community on which the
fugitives may be cast.
| That there Is precedent for the action
of the secretary may not be generally
known, but it Is matter of history that
so long ago as 1872 the treatment of the
Jews In Roumania, then under Turkish
dominion, called forth protest from the
United States, q protest which may at
least be regarded as having been con-
tributory factor In producing that senti-
ment which led eventually to the cove
nant known as the treaty of Berlin, adopt
ed six years later, and which, 1t was an
ticipated, would serve to ameliorate the
insufferable conditions then existing This
1t did temporarily, but subsequently a
strong anti-semitic feeling developed
among the Roumania authorities, result
Ing in the conditions against which the
United States now protests.
Space will not permit the graphic de-
scription which the secretary gives OF
these conditions, but the following Is i'm.
portant. He says: "Granting that In
better and more healthful surroundings
the morbid conditions will eventually
change for good, such emigration Qhat oil
the oppressed jews) Is necessarily, for q
time, q burden to the community on which
the fugitives may be cast. Selfreliance
and the knowledge and ability that evolve
the power Of self-support must be devel.
Oped, and. at the same time, avenues oi
employment must be opened In quarters
where competition Is already keen and
opportunities scarce. The teachings oi
history and the experience Of our own ma.
tion show that the Jews possess In 6
high degree the mental and moral qualifi
cations of conscientious citizenship. NJ
class of immigrants Is more welcome tt
our shores when coming equipped in mint
for entrance upon the struggle for bread
and inspirited with the high purpose t.
give the best service Of heart and brail
to the land which they adopt of their owl
free will. But when they come as out
casts, made doubly paupers by physica
and moral oppression In their native land
, and thrown upon the long suffering gener
osity of a more favored community, thei
migration lacks the essential condition.
: which make alien immigration either &C
ceptable or beneficial"
} 1t Is further gratifying to note that al
i. ready the state department is receiving
, assurances from its foreign representa-
> tives that the position of this governmen
Is properly understood and generally ap
proved by the nations appealed to, an
l the reports received would seem to wal
3 rant the belief that once more the Unite
, States will have to its credit an interposi
/ tion which has resulted In material bene
t fit to the cause of humanity.
President Roosevelt Is now In the west
? and the political leaders are watchin
l with intense interest the effect of hi
9 speeches on the people of that section
o Since the important conference held a
? Oyster Bay last week, it has become def
nitely known that Mr.. Roosevelt will re
pudiate the idea advanced by the demo
: Gratis, and 1t is claimed by some member
Of his own party that reduction of tn
tariff on trust made goods is prope