Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1902-09-22
BOYCOTTS ALL JEWS
Just What Roumania Has Done
in One Direction of Treaty
Violation.
DECLARES NATIVE JEWS ALIENS
For the Sole Purpose of ProscriptivS
Legslation-German Editor OPP
poses Hays Action.

Washington, Sept. 22.-In view OF
the disposition shown in some quarters
in Europe to question the prOpriety of
the interference of the United States
in behalf of the Roumanian Jews, and
having i'll mind Il statement from ROu-
manian authorities To the effect that
these Jews had declined agricultural
work, it may be of interest to note the
fact that the state department was par
ticularly careful to verify all the COM
plants that had reached here from
various sources respecting the harsh
ness of Roumanian laws. While the
Treaty of Berlin expressly forbade dis
elimination against any person i'll the
Balkan states on account of religion
the Roumanian government sought to
evade that clear provision by decreeing
that the 100000 Jews living in the
country were not citizens, and conse-
quently that their protection was not
contemplated by the treaty. Therefore,
without naming the Jews as the direct
object of hostile legislation, the Ruu-
manian government proceeded to enact
certain laws which the state depart
ment regarded as in deliberate viola
tiOn of the spirit of the treaty.
How the Trick Was Done.
For instance. one law provided that
no Jew should live in the agricultural
sections of the country. Another pro-
hibited Jews from engaging in agricul-
tural labor. Another forbade the Jews
to own farm lands. Finally a law de-
clared that any one who employed IL
jew should also employ no less than
two RuOmanianS, and this restriction
was prohibitiVe of Jewish labor in the
small establishments. Altogether the
working of these laws, as recited in
Secretary Hays circular note. was to
deprive the Jews in Roumania of near
ly all opportunity TO earn an honest liv-
ing and find honorable employment.
These facts will doubtless be enlarged
upon if the ROumanian government un-
dertakeS to impeach the statements
contained in the Jewish note.
OmciaI German View.
Berlin, Sept 22-The publication of
the text of the note of the United States
to the powers on the subject of the
treatment of ROumanian Jews, shows
ing to the German official view, shows
that the United States is acting Loyalty
towards the powers concerned in lay
ing its cards face up on the table,
and the official eye is now turned to-
ward Roumania. the newspapers here
having expressed the view that thenote
tacitly invites Germany to take the in
itiative. since the Berlin congress was
held under Germanys lead. The for
eign office separates itself from this
view. holding that Germany is in Il
position precisely similar TO that of the
other SignatUrieS. 1t is expected that
months will elapse before the several
cabinets reach Il decision on the sub
ject.
Thinks We Are on Our Base.
The Kreuz Zeitung conservative
SAYS: THE European states really do
not need American instruction regard
ing religious liberty and civilization.
The United States attempt to mix in
European affairs must be rejected all
the more decidedly since it was not
signer of the Berlin treaty and eSpe-
cially because the note involves the
cenSure that the signatOrieS lightly
ignored the treaty. We believe the
note will not have the slightest effect
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