THE PLIGHT OF THE JEWS IN RUMANIA.
By S.
PARTLY out of sympathy for the oppressed Jews in Rumania and partly out of a feeling of duty toward his own country, Secretary of State Hay has protested to the “powers of Europe” against Rumania’s treatment of the Jews, who tho domiciled there for generations, are still looked upon by both the laws and people of Rumania as aliens and men without a country. The Rumanian laws speak of them as the “unprotected aliens.” Other aliens residing in Rumania are regarded as “protected aliens,” by virtue of the fact that they owe allegiance to other governments, and those other governments would protect them in their rights. But these Jews have no country, and because they have none, Rumania has made their lot as hard as she could without condemning them to perpetual imprisonment or capital punishment. The reason that they have no country is because Rumania has denied them the privilege of citizenship or the protection of the law. Because they have been thus oppressed, the civilized in every nation have sympathized with them; but the oppression which they have suffered there has made it impossible for them to make of themselves citizens desirable to any enlightened and civilized country. This is no fault of theirs, and still the majority of such immigrants are bound to be a burden upon any country to which they may go. These are the grounds of the secretary’s protest to the powers. Rumania was formerly a province of Turkey, but was recognized as an independent nation by the treaty of Berlin which ended the last Russo-Turkish war. That treaty is a part of the constitution of Rumania, and the “powers” of Europe were to see that its provisions were enforced. By that treaty the inhabitants, no matter of what race or religion, were guaranteed equal rights. But Rumania has paid no attention to these provisions, and the “powers” that signed the treaty have made no attempt to enforce them. If they should attempt now to enforce the provision which would bring relief to the Jews, they would have to enforce also other provisions which they dare not now touch, such as the provision for the dismantling of certain fortifications. To enforce this, would doubtless open anew the Balkan question, and none of the powers of Europe are yet ready for the embroglio which would be almost bound to follow that step. Mr. Hay requested the “powers” to enforce the provisions of the treaty, as, by their signing the treaty, they had agreed to do. There is a feeling on all sides that they dare not do it if they felt so disposed. This strengthens Rumania in her position, and instead of complying with America’s wishes, she retaliates by making the conditions of the Hebrews still harder. They will not now be allowed to emigrate without paying a considerable tax, and the government is said to be planning to grant them no passports for emigration to the United States. This eliminates America from the question entirely; for her protests now can only be on the ground of humanity, and Rumania has steeled herself against all such protests. It thus appears that Mr. Hay’s note to the “powers” has not helped the Jews, and the result has been a sorer plight for them than that in which they were already. England has seconded America’s plea for these oppressed peoples, but the other powers have decided not to interfere, and the increased burdens heaped upon the Rumanian Jews must cause a feeling of deepest regret in every heart where a love of justice and humanity continues to reside. Special legislation, legislation in favor of one class as against another, wears everywhere and always the badge of injustice. The Christian can neither vote for nor advocate legislation of such character. It is such laws that have made religious persecution possible, and stained the history of our own country as well as that of other nations and other times.