The Denver Jewish news. [volume] (Denver, Colo.) 1915-1925, 1920-09-29
A Jewish Voice in Rou-
mania's Legislature
DR.. STRAUCHER DEM NDS
EQUAL RIGHTS FOR JEWS, AND
SAYS JEWS WILL FIGHT
AGAINST ANTI-SEMITISM, Of
FICIAL AND OTHERWISE.
BY LEO WOLFSON
Copyright. 1920. by I. J. l.. b.

| in the Roumanian Parliament. The
parliamentary tribune" ever since
the beginning of Roumania's national
| existence the place from which cal
umnies and false accusations We're
hurled against the Jews, has now. for
the first time in its history, been as
ccnded by Jewish speaker.
In the hall in which the very word
Jew was so often held up to derision
and ridicule, a Jew spoke by right, as
Al member of the House And the anti
Semites and other enemies of the Jews,
members of the Parliament, with
gnashing teeth and foam at their
mouths. listened for a while to what
the "Jew" had to say, and then furi-
ously left the chamber raging, fool
iShly and helplessly, behaving as stup-
idly as they always had done.
1t was great day for the Jews
of Roumania. For the first time they
had their say-at least the beginning
of it. Many times more will the Rou-
manian Parliament have to listen to
Jewish speakers-and never perhaps
can the list of grievances be adequate
" stated. DIR. Straucher, the Deputy
of Czernowitz. Bukowiaa, now prov
ince of Roumania, had the honor of
raising the Jewish question in the Par
lament by means of an Interpolation
which he addressed to the Govern
ment. DIR. Straucher is veteran
sta tesman. having served in the Aus
trian Reichsrat for a number OF years,
and is fOrceful speaker. Altho he
labored under great difficulties. speak
ing in Roumanian, language which
is altogether new to him. and which
he has only recently acquired. he de-
livered an eloquent address. which
afterward brought him the warm con-
gratulations of his friends. The Jews
are indeed proud of his feat and Of
| the manner in which he presented and
pleaded their cause.
+ There was nething cringing OF apollo
getic in what he had to say. Manly
and with dignity, forceful and with
poise, in clear ringing voice. un-
afraid and conscious that right was
with him. DIR: Straucher delivered his
address. He spoke as the representa-
tive of the Bukowinian Jews and in
the name of the two Jewish Deputies
from Besarabin. Messrs Shor and
I.erner. fully realizing the great re-
sponsibility which rested upon him mt
that particular moment.
Bluntiy, without any evasions. he
went directly to the question and
tersely said: "The Roumnian Jews
had no rights. The Roumanian Jews
have always been exposed TO many
prosecutions aAd their status has been
one of shame and degradation. OPP
preston brings with 1t slavery: lib
erty carries with it democracy and
humanity. The days of slavery arc
gone and they are gone for the Jews
tco.' He then proceeded to chide the
House for the fact thar altho every
group or faction of Parliament had
spoken and attempted to formulate
programs. neither members of the ma
jority nor of the minority saw fit to
raise their voices on behalf of the
Jews. Rights and justice had been de-
manded for every one but the Jews.
and their rights were completely ignor-
ed Going on. he said:' IF the gov
ernmcnts of RoumaHia will go on the
old way and will not radically change
their attitude towards the Jews. they
win sin prayely not only tOwa rdS the
WIN 'i' ''' '.,,' =.