New-York tribune., 1902-09-19
REmANI4 ND TIE JEWS.

Some OF the nobiest traditions Of American
diplomacy and of American governmental acton
are recalled by Secretary Hays message to the
great powers of Europe in behalf of the perse-
cuted Jews of Rumania The United States is
on this very day regarding with earnest sym
natby the commemoration of the centenary of
Kossuths BIRTH and in connection Herewith is
reca ling grateful memories Of the mission OF
the Mississippi Just ffty-one years ago this
month For Hungary, for Greece, for Crete, for
Bulgaria. the American voice, official or popu-
lar has consistently been heard whenever occa-
sion has demanded IN the name of justice and
freedom and the rights of man. To-day, per
hans more inpressively than ever before, this
country makes moral intervention in the affairs
of another State in that same much troubled
southeastern corner of Europe. Technically it
protests against being made the dumping ground
of exiled paupersm. Morally it protests against
n vicious and Illegal system by which, because
of religious hatreds an ancient race, ever dis
tingrished for its industry and thrift is arti-
ficialIv impoverished and degraded almost below
the semblance and far below the natural and
ipalienabIe rights OF our common and universal
humanity.
The persecution of Jews in Europe and Asia
has long been a sadly familiar theme 1t is by
no means unknown in Germany 1t has con-
vuIsed France welngh to madness and reTolu-
tion II has heen marked in Austria Hungary
with dreadful excesses. 1t has filed the recent
history Of Russia with unmentionable horrors.
Ar +he nrespnt time the mania RACES with most
violence in the comparatively new and other
wise great and progressive Kingdom OF Ru-
mania We have hitherto, in an article pub
lished in these columns on June 26 last eX-
plained in detail the pretences under which the
campaign is waged by the Rumanlan HoVerh-
mont and the artifce to which that govern
rnent resorts 10 circumvent the plain provisions
Of the Treaty of Berlin. These are again set
forth convincinCly in Secretary Hays circular
letter. which we published yesterday. They
form an Indictment of the Rumanian Govern
1nen+ which surely cannot be ignored. either at
Bucharest or at the capital of any of the powers
which were PARTIES to the Treaty OF Berlin
In anv case such remonstrance could scarce
" fail 10 produce a profound effect In the
present case apart from its moral force II mas
an especial technical force This arises from
the circumstances Of Rumanlas origin. IhaI
kingdom was created by the Treaty or berhn,
and is subject to the provisions and require
ments Of that treaty. That treaty Is It's Charter,
the terms of which 1t cannot violate without
forfeittng IFS own title TO independent existence.
That treaty expressly provides that tnere shali
be n discrimination religious GROUNDS, elIner
In civil or industrial affairs against any of the
people Of Rumania In accepting her status as
n kingdom from the makers Of that treaty Ru-
mania morally and legally pledged herselr TO
make no such discrimination. More than that,
the signatory powers similarly bound them
selves to see to It that she made none 1hey
are responsible not only for Rumania's exist
ence but also for her maintenance OF relSlous
liberty. It is on that ground that secretary
Hay makes his appeal 10 the powers or Europe
In speaking strongly IN behalf or persecuted
Jews who are not American citizens, ana
who have no claim on US save that or common
humanity. Secretary Hay makes no sensational
new departure" but follows well denned and
worthy line of precedents. More than sixty
years ago Mr. Forsyth, then Secretary OF state,
instructed the American Charge d dAnalres at
Constantinople to interpose his good offices in
behalf of the pers 4cuted Jews at Damascus and
elsewhere in the Turkish Empire. Mr.. Freling-
huysen, Secretary of State in 1SS2, expressed TO
the Russian Government the hope OF the United
States that il would cause the persecution or
Jews in Russia to cease Mr.. Evarts. Secretary
Of State In 1879 speaking Of this same kingdom
Of Rumania. declared that while the miuga-
'tion of the persecution Of the Hebrew race
could not he made sine qua non to the estab
| 1ishment OF official relations with that coun-
| try, yet il may be made the subject OF kindly
| Representations prior to the establishment OF