New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-10-05


managed 10 acquire an altogether exceptional
degree Of influence over the Sultan. In England
there are several Jews who are members Of the
Privy Council Of the Sovereign notable among
them being Lord RothschiId. Some Of the mem
hers Of the Housa cf Lords likewise profess the
Hebrew faith. The late Sir Charles Jessel, Mas
ter Of the Ros-a judicial office only second in
Importance and rank 10 that of the Lord Chief
Justice-was Jew. as are several Of the present
occupants Of the English bench. and there is no
doubt that had not Sir Charles Jessel's career
heen brought 10 premature close nv untimely
death he would have eventually been raised 20
the position Of Lord Chief Justice and in all
prohah ility 70 the Office Of Lord High Chancellor
and ~ Keeper Of the Kings Conscience
For nowadays there is nothing on the English
statute books 20 prevent a jew from occupying
the woolssck Some or the most capable OF
Englaud's colonial administrators are Orthodox
Hebrews. the entire Gold Coast dependency. for
instance. being subject TO the rule Of a singular
Is able Governor ~ the name OF Major Matthew
Nathan. who numbers among his aides-de-camp
several officers of crack regiments Of the Eng
Iish army whose families date back 10 the
Crusades. Jews figure. indeed. largely in thee
English army. and quite number OF them dis
tlugulshed fhem@elves by their bravery during
the recent south African war In such man
uer as 20 cali for special recognition on the part
% tho King No discrimination is made AZ the
White House between jew and Gentle. The
Hebrew who happens 10 be an eminent citizen
is just as certain Of % courteous welcome on the
part OF the Chief Magistrate Of the JniteI States
as any of his Christian associates. and I'm the
same way Hebrew names NOW frequently appear
or tho lists ~ the most favored guests Of King
Edward and queen Alexandra at Windsor
Castle AZ BalmoraI ana al Sandringham.
There are few more enlightened sovereigns in
the ola World than King Victor Emmanuel and
ne has lately given another illustration OF his
breadth ~ view by appointing General otto
leughi 10 the post 81 Minister Of War. The gen
eral Is not only 81 Hebrew birth. hut also Of
Jewish creed. and 50 far as I know. il is the
first occasion Of processing member OF this
particular faith being appointed by a Great
Power ~ Europe 10 "A leading Cabinet office
II speaks we'll for King Humbert too. that the
general was one of his favorite aides-de- camp.
and that ne selected him 10 act for a time as
military governor 10 his only son. the present
monarch Of united Italy
In Austria Hungary. where aristocratic preju-
dices against thu Hebrews are supposed to be
stronger than in Germany. there are no less
than 2OIo officers processing the Jewish faith
serving i'm the army. one Of them. Major Gen
eral Won Porges has recently been appointed TO
the command Of the great fortress of Pre-
zemysl, which. owing To the position which il
occupies on the Russian frontier Of Austria may
be said To constitute the most important Of all
the keys Of the Dual Empire. When. a short
time ago, the old Grand Duke Michael of Russia
celebrated the iftieth anniversary Of his en-
trance into the Muscovite army. a deputatiou
OF officers Of the Austrian regiment of which he
is the colonel in chief proceeded to St. Peters
burg by orders Of Emperor Francis Joseph 10
convey 10 him the congratulations of The Aus
trian army. At the head of the deputation was
the commanding officer of the regiment. Colonel
Baron Won Schwetzer a protesting Jew. and
before returning TO Vienna he received the honor
OF private audience with the Gar who con-
ferred on him a high Russian order
The most distinguished Jewish officer Of the
Austrian army that have ever known is old
General Baron Won Eiss for a number of years
the commanding officer of the Brunn garrison
and particular favorite of the Emperor Con-
| splcuous among the orders with which his breast
was covered was the great gold medal for con-
spicuous and extraordinary gaIIantry on the
battlefield This grand old officer was slated at
one moment for the Cross of the Order of Maria
Iheresia' which is only granted for some alto
gether exceptional feat of daring i'm war II
Is the most rare military distinction I'm the old
World. and the care with which IL is conferred
may be gathered that there to-day but six
officers of the Austrian army who are entitled
TO wear ii. Unfortunately the statutes of this
order which was founded by the great Emnress
Maria Theresa. restrict its membership To
CHRISTIANS. and General Eiss was Informed
that, having been unanimously elected bv the
Chapter of the order the proposal of the
Emperor, the decoration would be conferred a.,
| him II he would consent to become a convert 10
Christianity. Called upon thus to choose he
tween the grandest prize of the military, nrofas-
sion and apostasy. the gallant old soldier pra
ferred 10 sacrifice the distinction rather thu, 10
sacrifice his religion. and there is not an or7cer
| In the whole Austrian army from the Emnaro
down TO the lowest suhaltern. who does no,
honor him for his loyalty to his creed II was M
supply the place of the cross OF Maria 7rbarsst,
that Francis Joseph presented aim Win ~.
gold medal which he wears and which hrs a,
inscription to the effect that II is "fo- ,,rsnr.
uous and extraordinary valor on the nattIs-
field"
Let me add that the Emperor like kim, IA
ward. has several Jews among the members ~
| his Privy Council, both Albert and Nathaniel
Rothschild having been promoted to that dig