New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-01-23
4yTI-JEWIsH DIsCRIMINATTON.

II is much to be regretted that there was or
that there seemed TO be occasion for the Union
of American Hebrew Congregations at Phila-
delphia the other day TO discuss the subject OF
eoual protection Of American citizens regardless
OF creed or race, and to adopt resolutions pro-
testing against the course of some Foreign
governments in refusing to honor American
passports when issued to Jews The SUBJECT mas
long been a troublesome one and cause OF
much controversy between our government ana
others. particularly Russia and Rumania The
Motley of our government has, of course, never
been uncertain 1t was adequately expressed
bv Secretary Hay nearly seven years ago. when
he said referring to anti-Jewish discrimination;
This government can lose no opportunity 10
"controvert such a distinction. wherever 1t may
appear. 1t can admit no such discrimination
among its own citizens, and can never assent
"that n foreign state of its own yolition. can
"appIy a religious test to debar any American
Citizen from the favor due to all"
That decIara ton of policy, it is interesting 10
observe. was addressed to the American Min
lister to Rumania, and through him to the gov
eminent OF that kingdom. Our controversies on
the subject have chiefly been with Russia, and
il is against the discrimination which is said
still to be practised by that power that the pro-
test to which have referred is particularly
directed Russia has indeed carried her anti
Jewish discrimination so far as TO cause her
consuls TO exercise it on American soil by refus
ing here in New York, to wise passports issued
by the United States TO its citizens of the jew
sh faith and by refusing authorization to
legal documents for use in Russia in which
Jews are interested. The academic reply of the
Russian government that while it does thus
discriminate against Jews alone it does not do
so because they are Jews, since 1.-The broadcast
spirit of liberation for all cults forms the very
"basis of Russian laws" has never been re-
garded as convincing, and Russia is still looked
upon as the chief offender against the principle
of equal treaty rights for all Americans.
1t is, nevertheless, Of Importance to remem-
Der that Russia is by no means alone In anti
Jewish discrimination, and that, strangely
enough, that abhorrent practice is manifested
by some of the very countries in which logically
ii should be least expected. We have already
referred TO Rumania. That country, while it
was vet merely Moldavia and Wallachia suf
fered much from Turkish oppression on grounds
of race and creed. an experience which should
give it sympathy with the oppressed yet ever
since it gained its independence it has exer-
cised the most arbitrary injustice toward its
Jewish subjects. Finland, too, nOby struggling
against Russian aggressions and designs upon
her autonomy, is reported to be treating Jews
with harshness and driving them into exile. 1t
has long been observed that racial and religious
animosities and prejudices are the hardest of
all to overcome and it may be many years be-
fore they are eliminated from the laws and
customs of all nations. But the United States,
at least, will not cease to insist that its citi-
zens, no matter what their creed or race shall
enjoy the equal protection Of its laws and Of
its treaties.