Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1913-02-07
Jewish Might
Felt Abroad?
Mystery Is Connected With
Journey of Banker to
Land of Gar

The recent departure of Levy Mayer,
wealthy Jewish banker Of Chicago, on
secret financial mission to Russia
has revived the question Of Russian at
titude toward the Jews and has given
rise to much speculation as to the real
import of the mission. Whether it has
to do with the general well-being of
his Russian countrymen or is connected
with the possible troubles arising from
Balkan difficulties is a matter of con-
lecture.
In no other country where the Jews
are numerous has the treatment of
them been fraught with so much cruelty
and inhumanity. More intelligent than
the average Russian but less strong
physically, they have been beaten,
robbed, ravished, massacred and driven
from the rural districts into closely
crowded cities and towns where the
means of sustenance are so meager that
for many of them the starvation line
is at hand all the time. Disease, vice,
hunger and squalor make their cities
the curse of Russia, but the govern
ment does nothing to remedy the condi-
tions, for the mistaken notion prevails
that the integrity of the nation is
threatened in the growing Jewish pop
ulation. Much as Russia respects the
military genius of the Jap, the menace
of the Jewish cradle is feared far
more. That is why the May laws of
1882, restricting Jewish settlement to
the cities and towns, were enforced in
1890.
So fearful is Russia of the influence
of the Jews that she has repeatedly re-
fused admittance to prominent Ameri-
can Jews who wished to travel there.
In fact she allowed the abrogation of
her commercial treaty of 1882 with this
country rather than alter her policy
toward the Jews. She makes no dis
tinction as to wealth, so great is her
fear that assistance or enlightenment
will come to those within her borders.
Yet she is always ready and willing
to use the jews money.
Should serious difficulties arise out
of the Balkan dispute Russia would
find herself unprepared financially to
hold her own beside Austria and Ger
many. Many times in the past money
has been furnished the government by
Jewish bankers to defray the expenses
of campaigns, and there seems consid-
cradle reason to believe that the pres,
ent mission of Mr.. Mayer may be vi
tally connected with this matter. In
order to avoid the strict passport regu-
lations arrangements were completed
for a meeting in Paris with Curtis
Guild, American ambassador, and a sub
sequent journey across the border as a
member of the diplomats party. This
gives additional Importance to the mis-.
sion when it is remembered that such
prominent American Jews as julius Ro-
senwald and Nelson Morris of Chicago.
failed of admittance few years ago.
Should the Jews in crucial moment
see fit to withhold financial aid from
Russia that country would find herself
in serious difficulties. Yet in spite of
this she has made no pretenses at recti-
flying abuses within her borders. The
Jewish population Of the world is in
creasing rapidly. They are very sue
cessful in business way and are gath
ering power financially with remark
able rapidity. Confident that their
race will some day regain the position
it held 1000 years ago, they are quietly
accumulating strength, though scat
tered over the entire world, and where
given the ballot, will some day make
their influence felt. In fact, it is free
ly predicted that some day there will
be great movement toward common
center and the Jewish nation will once
more assume its integrity. Peaceable
and opposed to warfare, they will use
the weapons of business to accomplish
their end, which might come out of an
opportunity of Withholding financial
aid from such power as Russia. To
see her greatest enemy defeated for
lack of funds would be indeed great
victory.
In the light of past events it is not
surprising then that prominent Jewish
bankers should be called upon to as
sist an embarrassed government. It is
no more surprising that the Jews
should welcome the opportunity, for
they are looking far into the future.
Intelligent, quick, loyal to racial ira
ditions, they are unit in promoting
the welfare of their race. One day
they will cease to be looked upon as
money-grasping people and will receive
the respect for their industry that is
their due.