Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-11-23
HEBREW IS BOUNDED
Roumania Endeavors to
Drive Out Race.
NO STANDING UNDER LAW
Aid Given to Cause Of Liberty Is
Forgotten.
FEW TRADES OPEN TO THEM
Must Serve in Army, But Cannot Be
Ofncers-Still They Prosper.
Secretary Hays Protest.
w TRADES OPEN TO THEM
BY WILLIAM Z. CURTIS

written Tor The Star and the Chicago Record
Herald.
In no couAtry have the Hebrews SUI.
fered more brutal and relentless persecu
ton than in Roumania. AS elsewhere, ii
has been more from economic than from
religious motives
1t is true that synagogues have been
plundered and pol, uted; laws have been
passed and regulations have been framed
to hinder believers from performing their
rites of worship. On holy days, Good
Friday and anniversaries of the saints
fanatical MODS have often attacked
quarters in which Hebrew families have
lived.
These have been mere incidents in a
general campaign that has continued for
a thousand years for the purpose of dis
abling the Hebrews from competition with
his Christian rivals in commerce, indus
try and the professions. That is the Sc
cret of all the Heorew persecution in Rus
STA today and everywhere eise that this
remarkable race suffers from dlScrim-
ination under the laws and the preJudices
OF society.
Hebrews Early Settlers.
There Is no doubt that Hebrews were
among the earliest inhabitants of Rou-
manian territory. After the destruction
Of Jerusalem and the dispersion of its in
habitants by the Roman Emperor Titus
many families found their way into what
are now Roumania, Hungary and Aus
tria. Many more followed the Roman
sions, who occupied THIS country hun
dred years after the Christian era, and
settled in different places favorable to
their trade.
They were treated with favor in early
days. Many became rich and influential,
but shared the lot of the whole popula-
ton, which was subjected to the caprice
and the tyranny of the semi baroarous
rulers who succeeded each other upon
the throne
Hebrews were conspicuous in the pro-
LESSONS, as well as in finance and trade.
They often occupied high places under
the government and were honored with
the confidence of kings, as we'll as that
Of the public generally.
They played an important role in state
affairs. But all men of wealth suffered
blackmail in those days and were the
prey Of greedy and impecunious princes.
It was not until the development Of
civilization in the eighteenth century that
the Hebrew population was singled out
for special attention. Then they were
Not until the eighteenth century were
they deprived of any rights that other
men enjoyed in commerce and trade.
Hebrews were allowed to live in all the
cities. vi lagos and market towns. and to
engage in all the crafts and lines Of
commerce. They were permitted to join
the guilds Of ar isans and merchants on
an equal footing with Christians. Their
skill. ability and sagacity enabled them
to acquire special privileges, favors and
influence.
They were engaged in all of the pro-
LESSONS. They were physicians, lawyers,
bankers. merchants. manufacturers. dis
tillers and goldsmiths. Their representa-
tives were found in every occupation.
Nineteenth Century Persecution.
For various reasons during the earlier
part Of the nineteenth century the He
brews were accused Of crimes and con.
spiracies. In 1921 a tremendous storm
broke out against them.
Their homes We pillaged and burned,
their business houses were looted. Men
and even women and children We're ston-
ed in the streets. No protection was
given them in the courts or by the po-
lice.
Taxes were doubled. They were for
hidden to engage In ce. tain trades or
live in ce tain towns and cities. They
were compelled to wear q distinctive CO.'S
tune.
They were arrested on trivial pretexts
and compelled to pay heavy fines. Prop
erty owners were p ohib.ted from renting
shops and stores and houses to hem.
But when the revolution OF 10 s broke
out the Hebrews took active part in 1t,
literally to the calse Of
liberty. and were among the leaders OF
the movement which accomplished so
much for the freedom of the pc ople Their
services were recognized at the time.
No sooner was the kingdom of Rou-
mania recognized in 1865 than a meth
odical and thorough system Of perseou-
ton was adopted. howeve-. which has
continu until the present day. 1t has
been intended to drive the Hebrew popu-
lation. which numbers about a quarter
Of million. from Roumania. to deprive
them of their property and savings. and
to relieve the native membe- 8 of the pro-
LESSONS and occupat Ons from rivals
with whom they cannot compete.
The motive. as l have sa d, is purely
business. Religion has not been offered
even as q pretext.
Constitution of 1865.
One Of the first acts Of King Carol