New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-04
JEWISH HOPES IN THE WAR
Ottoman Promises To Be Wei
coined with Faith and Joy.

To the Editor Of The Tribune.
Sir: In your issue Of Thursday, Novsa-
Der Is, you state that an announcement va
made by the Turkish Embassy to the sfsss
that Jews will receive certain advantages
and exemptions within the Ottoman Empire
and that tsess consist of Exceptional facIl-
ties for having access to Ottoman soil, hs
acquisition Of Ottoman nationality and hs
immunity, for Q certain period, from pay.
ment Of taxes and military service that
rights, exemptions and privileges which fos'
merly were accorded by the Ottoman govern
ment exclusively to Mahometan Immigrants
coming to Turkey will now be granted 10
immigrants processing q religion other thsa
the Mahometan." You then go on to qusts
the opinion expressed by the Rev. Dr. Mao
rice II. Harris, in an interview, stating hn
the special privileges now promised BY as
Ottoman Empire to those Of other faiths does
not mean much to me. I regard it as moth
ing more than expedi.nt Of war" And
the spirit Of the interview Is to cast snsf
upon this announcement and 10 express dt
trust Of it.
am very much shocked by Or. Harriss
reception Of this announcement II may
mean nothing to him, but I can assure hin
il means very much to Jews who will svsu
themselves of these exemptions. And
means very much to Jews all over the word
who are watching every such ANNOUNCEMENT
made in the course of this terrible war. Thai
DR.. Harris should speak so disparsgingly Of
the announcement of the Ottoman Empire
merely shows that as an American nstufai-
lied Englishmap his sympathies with ne
Allies have proved stronger than his usual
interest in his Jewish coreligionists. FOR
myself, as a neutral American, | hail tbs
announcement with joy, and I accept II IN
good faith. l do not hesitate TO say that u
a neutral, my chief interest in this terrps
barbaric war, the result Of race hstreds ana
brutal commercial rivalries, is in what II ma!
bring about Of emancipation for my %.
pressed coreligionists in Eastern lands
hailed with Joy the announcement, SONS
months ago, that one of the conditions fo'
world peace which the great belligerent Ger
many laid down was the worldwide ree0s
milton of Jewish rights. It was signihean'
that few days afterward the cable brousa'
the message that even in Russia oa'''
Rosen, addressing the National CouneN-
pleaded for the granting Of political risnS
and the removal of disabilities from the !e'A
l even hailed that announcement with hope
though nothing has, as yet, resulted from y
And equally welcome, with optimistic isi'N
the announcement Of the Ottoman Empire
1t is, in my opinion, the duty Of the Jew
to make every effort to obtain civil and p''
litical liberties and rights for the jew
wherever they are, to encourage every prom
Use, with faith in it and not to sneer 81 i
Furthermore, DR.. Harris ought to know ina
the history Of the Jews for the last i've nuh'
dred years proves that again and again Wv
Turkish Empire showed itself more ho'p''
table to Jews than many a Christian MARION,
The refugees from Spain found shelter aho
an asylum In the Turkish Empire. In tn''
century the Jews were better treated IN LUZ
key than In Russia, the great ally OF MS -
tive land. There is, therefore, no reason 70 w
partisanship' so mislead one as 20 ques''''
the sincerity and the good will OF the WV
man Empire. As . neutral my sympatn,.'
are very mixed. And ss n man feel 70.
humiliation Of the thought that the two no"
advanced peoples In Western civilization ~
lighting because Of commercial rivalries'
q Jew I hope and pray for the time WIZ
national animosities will be no more, rses
prejudiees will come to an end and the 'es.
all over the world, In Turkey and In kuss's
and in Rumsnia and wherever they may NM
will obtain equal rights sueh ;.
they enjoy now in civilized lands, and ao''s
all In America. I trust 10 the conscience =.
the nations, l encourage its awakening oy ~
faith in II, and as a neutral | take the woN
of all of them. SAMUEL SCHULMAN