The San Francisco call., 1903-01-06
AMERICAN INFLUENCE.
w HEN Secretary Hay issued his note of pro-
NV test against the i'll treatment OF Jews by the
Government OF Roumania il was met bY

Nv test against the i'll treatment OF Jews by the
Government OF Roumania it met by
a burst OF mockery from the press OF Continental
Europe Even in this country the belief prevailed
that the hardly OF more value than the blast
OF a trumpet blown against the wind Skeptical peo-
pie asked in derision what power the United States
had enforce the protest and what our Government
would do in case Roumana either ignored or de-
fed it.
The questions of the skeptics hard to answer.
1t seemed impossible to get the concert OF Europe to
back our leadership in the matter and it looked as
il Roumania could go her way with npunity. OF
all the powers OF Europe Great Britain only gave an
openly favorable consideration to the note and that
was because the British islands like the United
States, being made place OF refuge for the
poverty stricken exiles from their Roumanian homes
1t appears, however, that our influence with
Europe is much greater than showed on the surface,
or after ALL sufficient pressure has been put upon the
Roumanian Government to extort promise at least
OF reform and a pledge do something in the way
OF justice to the Jewish element OF the Roumanian
population.
Late reports from Europe announce that the Rou-
manan Senate has agreed to law conferring citizen
ship upon Jews residing in the country That act
goes far redress most OF the wrongs complained
of, for the unjust laws under which the Jews have
been suffering in the past are not directed against
the Jews as such, but against aliens" SO long as
the Jews were denied citizenship they were treated
as aliens and all the harsh laws were enforced
against them Now that they are to be admitted to
citizenship it is believed that the OF their evil
situation has been passed.
1t is to be noted moreover that even the aliens in
the country viii be better treated hereafter In sub
hitting the reform measures to the Senate the spokes
for the Ministry is reported to have said "It is
inexpedient discriminate against foreigners The
laws must be applied inpartiay TO everybody 1t
must be demonstrated that Roumania is tolerant"
While no direct information the subject is forth
coming it is evident that the powers that guaranteed
the independence OF Roumana must have been moved
by the note OF Secretary Hay to demonstrate with
the Roumanian Government. We have thus a proof
Of our influence in the European concert and is not
at all likely that shall again hear of derision
from any responsible quarter when Government
speaks in the name OF humanity to protest against
injustice in any part OF the globe
Another significant illustration OF prestige as
world power is to be found in the letter OF Baron
d d'Estournelles, member OF The Hague court. con
graduating President Roosevelt upon giving recogn
ton to the court and compelling European powers
to accept it as tribunal OF arbitration with Vene-
zuela.
In the report OF his letter which has been made
public the Baron is quoted saying: "By silent
senile understanding the Governments thought to
abandon The Hague tribunal. On the morrow OF its
official creation it about perish through illwil
when you to protest against the attempt, which
was threatening the, liberties OF the world. <
The initiative OF the United States compared with
the paralysis OF Europe is sign OF the times which
a European must have the courage to recognize.
Honor to your Government which has understood
that amid the general abstention had to
awaken the others from their lethargy and lead them
forward in the way OF justice and progress"
1t thus appears that Government has scored
notable triumphs in the interest Of international
justice and international peace We stand as the pro-
tector OF the oppressed Jews of Roumana and Of the
integrity Of Venezuela while at the same time assr-
ing to European claimants against Castros Govern
ment full measure of remedy for all wrongs they
may have suffered at his hands Our position as a
world power is fully established in every quarter
of the globe and every patriot may note with salts
faction that the power has been exercised solely for
the right and for justice.