Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1902-12-31
TELEPHoEEI.
MR.. HAYS TRIUMPH.

MIR. HAYS. TRIUMPH.
The action OF the Ronmanian Senate in
voting to extend the right of natural'za-
lion TO the down-troddcn Jews of that
souitry. is regarded in official circles in
Washington, it is stated, as a distinct
triumph for American diplomacy If it
means what it appears to mean. it is more
than that. 1t is a distinct triumph for
civilization and humanity. and all the
facts behind it considered, it evidences
potent moral influence of this country
with the great Powers of Europe.
The Rouman!an cnactments against the
Jews. under which the race has been sub
sected TO greater oppression and more
cruel outrages than it has experienced in
latter days. even in darkest Russia.
constitute a fragrant violation of the Berlin
treaty to which Great Britain, France,
Germany. Russia, Austria Hungary,
Turkey, and other countries were sigma
tory. Roumania eraded the obligations
the treaty imposed on her. as bearing on
the rights Of the Jews to equal civil and
political advantages. by CHASING them as
aliens. The forty-fourth article of the
treaty provided that differences Of reli-
zion should not be a ground for exclusion
"~s 4capacity in matters relating to civil
E-.Ts. and the entering Of the trades and
the professions, and that article, 1t was
thoroughly understood. was inserted in
order to protect the Jews and all others
not in the communion OF the orthodox
Greek church.
In her determinations against the Jews,
however Roumania said to them we pro-
scribe you and prosecute you, deny you
the opportunity to make livelihood, and
bar to you the paths of ambition, not on
account Of your religion, but because you
ire not of us as a. nation. a moro miscr-
able suhterfuge for the avoidance of keep
ing a pledge was never rcsorted to, and
MIR. Hay exposed that fact when i'll his
note Of August 18th. he characterized as
arbitrary and centrovertible' the premise
that the native Hebrews OF Roumania,
domiciled there for centuries, arc aliens"
But We have alluded to facts behind the
concession OF the Roumanian Senate.
which evidence a potent moral influence
of this country With the great Powers
of Europe. Mr. Hays rcmonstrance Of
the date just referred to, was not the be-
Ginning all of the efforts OF the State
Department TO ameliorate the condition
IF the Rou-nanian Jews. Our minister at
Athens also represents the interests Of the
United States in Bulgaria and Roun1ania-
sy the american Hebrew" the state
nont is now made that about a month
prior to Mr.. Hays address to the foreign
Powers the State Department sent to the
Bucharest government a proposal for a
naturalization treaty, and a strongly
worded protest against Roumanian OPP
preston Of her Jewish population. These
documents were transmitted through the
American minister at Athens. and the
reply of Roumania was both insolcnt and
defiant. The Roumanian minister Of for
eign affairs wrote that the proposition
would not be entertained, that the United
States had treated his country discount
eously, and in SO many words, we We're
told to mind our own business.
This determined Secretary Hay to ap.
,cal formally to the Powers that erected
soumania into kingdom, and endeavor
70 touch their conscieaces. The result Of
aat determination was his circular note
Z address, which. between the lines, re-
minded the signers OF the Berlin treaty
that in failing to take eognizance Of Rou-
raania's subterfuge, they were largely re-
sponEible FOR the cruelties she was prac-
icing on her Jewish population. Taken
In its broadcast scope. and interpreted by
the light of the relations of the Powers
TO Roumania and her autonomy. the note
placed the former on the defensive before
the worlds courts of civilization and hui
mainly.
Nor did the State Departments work
end with that proceeding. Mr.. Hays for
NAL presentation OF the case i'll writing,
was followed in some instances, at least,
by. our representatives at European courts
personally taking up the matter with the
Powers TO which they were accredited So
It has come about. 1t would appear, that
The State Department by skilfpl diplon-
ICY, quiet pcrsistency, and moral pres
rlre, has influenced the sponsors for Rou-
aania TO force the latter to DO justice to
Tho Jews. and thus achieved another great
slctory for humanity. progress, and relig-
.ous liberty. The conclusion is obvious
That the United States must have put in
notion agencies which compelled the ac-
Won that has been taken by the Roun,an-
an senate, and II is equally obvious that
= eEsncs4s were como OF the more
0tsafsai % the governments that were