The Denver Jewish news., 1919-07-09


should become citizens en- bloc. A re-
cent law. which claimed to have Sc
corded citizenship to them is shame.
1t also requires Individual naturaliza-
ton coupled with conditions impos-
sible Of performance and its operation
i limited to period Of three months.
The rights enttnaerated in Clauses
and 3 constitute the minima of those
which are essential to the. enjoyment
Of freedom by the inhabitants Of the
lands under consideration. :
Especially important is Clause =
which relates to Language rights IN
States composed of Heterogeneous peo-
pies who have passionateiy clung to
their own tongues for centuries and
who if deprived of the right to employ
them would be thereby subjected to
grave hardships and disabilities.
2. Clauses 8, @ and Z contain guar
antics essential to national minority
rights. These various lands which are
not like those of Western Europe com
posed of homogeneous populations al
ways. have been and-if conflict and
warfare is to be avoided in them
must continue to be practically fed
erations of nationalities which together
form the State.
The alternative to the grant of ma
tional minority rights to these consti-
tuent nationalities is. their domiha-
ton by the majority nationalities This
would inevitably result not only in the
crushing out of the minority but In
continuous warfare which is apt once
more to involve all Europe and Amer
lea in internecine conflict
without these minority rights. Jews.
Ukrsinians, Lithuanians and others
within the new Polish. Rumanian and
ctlIer. States would incur the danger
Of the annihilation of their ancient
civilization, the destruction of their
schools and the suppression of their
languages. In q word, they would be
compelled to submit to complete alb
sorpti0n.
The cultural rights specified in
Cfauses require for their prescrva-
tion that the several minOrities at
fccted may, as provided by Clause ..
share proportionally in the public
funds devoted to the purposes therein
specified. Otherwise the minority
groups would be compelled to eontri-
hute thru taxation to the support Of
schools and the other cultural institu-
tions OF the majority and at the same
| time would be constrained by the urge
Of national scIf-prescrvation to sup
port with their own funds their own
schools and cultural institutions.
But clauses and 9 alone would
lot assure full security and protection
for the Individual and national rights
set forth which, in these circum-
stances are dependent on the exercise
Of the political rights of national min
GRITTY representation. as provided by
Clause T.. By that guaranty only can
the other rights sought to be confer
red be defended and viadicated peace
ably. lawfully and effectively. Genu-
inc patriotic citizenship will he furtl.-
cred by such a measure and that mai-
tual district which inevitably breeds
war would be averted.
Article 8 touches subject which
both form the standpoint Of religious
liberty and economic equality is Of
primary Importance. 1t relates to what
Is known as the Sabbath question and
applies to those who regard day
other than Sunday as their day Of rest.
The Jews. for example. constitute ap-
proximately fourteen per cent of the
population of Poland. They observe
Saturday. We're they precluded ffoii
pursuing their secular affairs on Sun
,Iay they would be deprived of one
sixth of their economic power. That
would place them at cruel disadvant-
nye in the struggle for existence. That
they shall not be compelled to desc
| crate the day which they and their nm
ccstors have treasured as holy for cen
turtles, is a principle equally in con
formity with every consideration Of
! Justice.
The establishment of the League of
Nations affords international sanction
for the rights thus conferred, A tffb-
tinal will be thereby assured for the
enforcement of the obligations which
1 are to be automatically ASSUMED by
the several new and enlarged States
> On behalf of the nine million Jews
of the lands which are now to be re-
constituted politically, we ask that this
Charter of Liberty be granted to them