Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-07-21

DeIWeen Ln9 AL
lies. but even another war to follow the
present one.
BY far the most serious basis for dis.
agreement between the Allied nations
Is the ambition of Russia to annex Con-
stantinople and the rest of Turkey in
Europe. 1t seems that every Russian Is
born into the world with the idea that
Turkey belongs, by divine right, to Rus.
sia. Through the Dardanelles Russia
sees the necessity for the passage of her
wheat ships, and 1t does not occur to her
that her trade rights would be amply
conserved by making the strait neutral,
ruled, as 1t logically should be, by COM
mission formed of Representatives of all
the Powers. This situation is the Damo.
clean sword that hangs over the Anglo.
Russian entente. for England will never
willingly relinquish to the Car the "key
to Europe" The rights of the English.
speaking world. in the event of an inn
passe between Sir Edward Grey and the
Cars Government. will be to a great
extent in the hands of Mr.. EllSus IL the
war is brought to a termination during
his Enthusiastically. The United States
may well be the deciding factor in the
diplomacy to determine the status of
Turkey after the war; in no other field
could our mediation be more necessary to
bring about lasting peace.
Mr. Elkus was Mr.. Morgenthau's choice
for this post. In many respects the facts
in the biographies of the two men are
similar. Both are Jews of foreign parent.
age, bred in the law schools and business
life Of New York. and have attained polit-
ical and philanthropic prominence In the
life of the metropolis. Both are intensely
practical and exponents of horse,sense
In the intricate science of dlplo-
macy. Both have risen from the ranks.
Mr.. Elkus is 4s years old. He is tho
son Of Isaac and Julia Elkus, who came
from Germany TO Mobile. and later to
New York. In 1888 he was admitted b.
the bar and began practicing as a clerk In
the firm OF which eight years later he
became Junior partner-James, SchelI &
Elkus. When the others passed away he
became the senior partner. the firm name
changing to Elkus. Gleason Proskauer.
He Is counsel for many merchants in New
York city and as such has been constantly
engaged In important commercial litiga-
tion of sort that requires the keenest
acumen. For that reason, perhaps. his
historical and practical treatise. Secret
Liens and Reputed Ownership" has ao-
quired a reputation in field OF peculiar
difficulty.
For four years he has devoted much OF
his personal attention to the position OF
counsel for the New York State Factory
Investigation Commission, and has draft
ed more than 80 model bills for the inn
provement OF Industrial conditions.
Regent of the University OF the State OF
New York since 1911. and honorary recip-
lent or the degree OF Doctor of Civil
Laws from st. Lawrence University in
1919. and vice president OF the Free Syna-
gogue, where Stephen Wise breaches a
gospel for all religions and vice president
OF the Hebrew Technical School fer Girls,
where girls from the tenements are bred
into useful mothers and citizens, a trustee
OF the Baron de Hirseh Fund, and presi-
dent or the Jewish chautauqua Society.
there is no doubt OF the cultural standing
Of the man IN the New York community.
He Is identified as director or member
with virtually every philanthropic- asso-
citation OF his race. although his sympa-
thies, like those OF Mr.. Morgenthau. are.
as Is Characteristic OF his people. very
widespread. tolerant and sincere.
Mr.. Elkus is an independent Democrat
and supported Mr.. Wilson strongly In the
campaign OF 1912. He was one OF the
New York delegates at the Baltimore con-
vention to vote for Wilson from the start.
He had charge OF the tarin exhibits com.
mittee in 1912. A noteworthy achieve.
ment Of Mr.. Elkus was In connection with
his work as special United States At.
tOrney IN the prosecution OF bankruptcy
frauds, in-which he established the prsc-
edent that perjury IN bankruptcy Pre-
oeedinfs L punishable summarlly e con
tempt.