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March 19, 1920 - Image 6

Resource type:
Text
Publication:
The Detroit Jewish Chronicle, 1920-03-19

Disclaimer: Computer generated plain text may have errors. Read more about this.

THE DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE

t

'

Ir

ity of the State to which it was ap- I p
plied to all persons born therein
"who do not claim to be subjects of
foreign States." The third paragraph
introduced an entirely new principle
in the shape of Minority Rights. This
was rendered necessary by the heter-
ogeneous character of the population
of almost all the projected new and
enlarged States, and the tendency of
the dominant races so to apply the
[Londe. Jewish tAronhir4
doctrine of Equal Rights as to turn
HE Report of the 13rito-Jewish nationality', and can not be shown to it into an engine of majority tyranny.
Delegation at the Peace Con- be claimed as nationals of a foreign
On December 13, 1918, the Secre-
ference, which has just been State, shall be entitled to full civil tary was instructed to proceed to
issued, is a document which and political rights as nationals of Paris and make the necessary pre-
will rank as one of the memorable the Kingdom of in accordance liminary arrangements for bringing
records in the annals of modern with the foregoing stipulations.
the case of the Jews before the Peace
Jewry. The Report (dated January
The correspondence on this subject Conference. Ile devoted himself, in
I, 1920) is signed by Sir Stuart only ended on July 28, 1914, less than the first place, to securing the co-op-
Samuel (President of the Board of
a week before the outbreak of the eration of 0th-a Jewish-bodies repre•
Deputies), Mr. C. G. hfontefiore
Great European War. Up to that sented in Paris. These consisted. at
(President of the Anglo-Jewish As-
time none of the territorial changes the time, only of the Alliance Israel-
sociation), Messrs. II. S. Q. Hen-
brought about by the wars of 1912 ite and the International Zionist Or-
riques and Joseph l'rag, and Mr.
and 1913 had come before the Great ganization. At the instance of Mr.
Lucien Wolf as Secretary. It de-
Powers for recognition. and conse- 1Volf, a conference of these bodies
scribes in lucid language the negotia-
quently no opportunity had arisen for was held on the evening of January
tions which the Joint Foreign Com-
the application of the new formula. 18th, 1919. The Alhance Israelite
mittee have been carrying on with
The outbreak and progress of the was represented by a specially elected
the Peace Conference at Paris, with
war naturally created fresh difficul- commission under the chairmanship
the object of "promoting adequate
ties. Russia was our loyal ally, and of ht- Eugene See, and the Zionist
measures for the emancipation of the
Organization and the Joint Commd-
Rumania was a possible ally.
Jews in all countries where they still
In these circumstances, the public tee by Mr. Nahum Sokulow and Mr.
labor under political, civil and eco-
Lucien W'olf, respectively. It was
nomic disabilities." It likewise sets raising of the Jewish question could
resolved to create a Central Bureau
forth the ultimate and successful out- only tend to create controversies
of
Delegation Secretaries with certain
with the Government of those coun-
come of those negotiations.
tries, and this might have weakened executive functions, and a deliberate
But in order to understand their
committee
of representatives of the
their whole-hearted military co-opera-
full import it is necessary to review
tion with their Western Allies. The delegation to which they might ad-
the labors which have continuously
Conjoint Committee felt that it was here as and when they arrived in
occupied the attention of the Con-
their duty at all costs to avert such Paris. Details of organization were
joint Committee ever since the Con-
a misfortune. Nevertheless, with the postponed, but it was resolved to pro-
gress of Berlin in 1878, which, among
ceed immediately with any work
other things, attempted to settle the concurrence of his Majesty's Govern- which the development of events
vexed question of Rumania's treat- ment, they made private efforts from might render urgently necessary.
time to time to obtain a mitigation
ment of her Jewish population.
of the sufferings of the Russian JOSS, Shortly after this, certain delegations
At that time the Jewish communi- especially in connection with the vk- from Eastern Europe began to arrive
ties of Russia, Rumania, the Balkan its to London of the Imperial Min- in Paris. They did not wholly ap-
Slates and the Ottoman Empire, in ister of Finance, Mr. Bark. These prove of the plans agreed upon, and
common with other racial and re- efforts resulted in August, 1915, in the result was that much time was
ligious minorities, suffered under
certain notable concessions. 1'11in:i- lost in sterile discussions relating to
severe civil and political disabilities,
nnately, their practical effect was precedence and organ:zation.
and were at times even subject to
The joint Delegation, which was
scarcely perceptible, and the ill-treat-
brutal persecutions. The Congress of
ment of the Jews, especially in the now strengthened by the addition of
Berlin, following the example of other
representatives
of the American Jew-
war zone, became worse than ever.
high international assemblies, sought
It was, however, only when this iii - ish Committee and t he Rome com-
a remedy for this lamentable situa-
treatment was found to be reacting mittee, in due course presented two
tion. Acting on the well-established
unfavorably on the cause of the En- memorials to the conference setting
adosna to 1.133110:) alp MI I aphstnid
tente Powers in neutral countries, forth the claims of Jews to civil and
is responsible for the good govern-
and especially in America. that the religious liberty in the various States,
ment of states created or enlarged by
committee departed from its reserve. whose affairs the conference had to
its authority, it inserted in the Treaty
As a consequence the committee decide upon, and formulating provi-
which issued front its deliberations
were invited in June, 1916, to place sions for the protection of the rights
Articles making the recognition of
their "considered views" before His of minorities. These claims and
the independence of Rumania, Serbia,
provisions were adopted by the
hlajesty's Government. Thereupon
Bulgaria and Montenegro, and the
the committee drew up a memoran- l'eace conference and duly embodied
autonomy of Eastern Roumelia, de-
in the various minority treaties which
dum embodying the following points:
pendent on the adoption by those
the conference agreed to.
I. Jews of Russia.—Abolition of
states of laws securing civil and re-
The treaty with Poland was par-
all political and civil disabilities dif-
ligious liberty and equality to all
ticularly important because it dealt
ferentiating them from their Christian
their subjects,. A similar provision
in effect with a Jewish community of
was accepted by Turkey, although fellow-countrymen.
3,500,000 souls—the largest Jewish
2. Jews of Ituniania.—Recognition
she had not been either created or
community in Europe. It, moreover,
enlarged by the Congress; but in the of the right to Rumanian nationality made special reference to Jews, guar-
case of Russia its application was of all Jews born in Rumania, and the anteeing them the observance of
Article
of
fulfillment
found impracticable, and even the immediate
their Sabbath and its respect by the
cession of Bessarabia was not made X1.13, of the Treaty of Berlin in re- public authorities. In the words of
gard
to
them.
subject to a like stipulation.
the report. "the Polish Treaty as-
3. Jews in Ceded Territories.—To sures to all Polish Jews the status
These Articles of the Treaty of
enjoy the same equal rights with their
of
Polish Nationals on the same foot-
Berlin were in identical terms. In
Christian co-nationals as by law they
ing as their Christian fellow-country-
view of subsequent events, the text
enjoy at present.
men; it assures to them the fullest
relating to Rumania is here quoted:
4. Jews in Palestine.—Aecount to equality of civil and political rights
X1.111. The High Contracting l'ar-
be taken of the historic interest Pal- and opportunities; it gives them com-
ties recognize the independence of
estine possesses for the Jewish com- plete religious liberty and autonomy;
Rumania, subject to the conditions set
munity; the Jewish population, to be it grants to them the control of their
forth in the two following Articles.
secured in the enjoyment of civil and communal institutions and an effec-
XLIV. In Rumania the difference
of religious creeds and confessions religious liberty, equal political rights tive protection of their cultural in-
shall not be alleged against any per- will, the rest of the population, reas- terests; it guarantees to them a lib-
onable facilities for immigration ,and eral treatment of these interests and
S011 as a ground for exclusion or in-
capacity in matters relating to the en- colonization, and such municipal priv- all necessary exemptions dictated by
joyment of civil and political rights, ileges in the towns and colonies in- them in the general machinery of
admission to public employments, habited by them as may be shown to State administration; and, finally, it
affords to these important rights a
functions, and honors, or the exercise be necessary.
Then, in March. 1917, the Russian protection which, so far as written
of the various professions and indus-
over- precaution go, should he adequate to
Imperial Government was
me in any locality whatsoever.
The freedom and outward exercises thrown, and the situation became assure their permanence."
of all forms of worship shall be as- largely changed in consequence,
Somewhat similar minority treaties
sired to all persons belonging to the while Rumania now saw itself &- were agreed to by other States, in-
Rumanian State, as well as to for- priced of its last powerful support on cluding Greece and Bulgaria. But for
enviers, and no hindrance shall be the Jewish Question. When the war a time Serbia and Rumania refused
offered either to the hierarchical or- came to a close in November. 1918, to sign. Many difficult negotiations
ganization of the different common- ithe committee decided on a iiew re' ensued. Ultimately, however, the
ions, or to their relations with their duction of the civil and religious lib- difficulties were overcome and "the
spiritual chiefs. Ierty of Berlin, enlarged and amended Rumanian Minority Treaty emerged
The subjects and citizens of all the to remedy the defects of those clauses from the l'eace Conference in a com-
Powers, traders or others, shall be'and to provide for new conditions pletely satisfactory shape. Every
treated in Rumania without distinc.'which had arisen in the interval. A point laid dotsm in the two memorials
lion of creed, on a footing of per- memorial embodying this formula of the Joint Delegation was gained in
feet equality. 1was addressed to His Majesty's Gov- a form which, for precision and com-
These stipulations were accepted eminent on December 2nd, 1918, in prehensiveness, leaves nothing to be
and executed without demur by all i which it was suggested that in tine desired. All Jews, 'habitually resi-
the States concerned except one. eventual Treaties of Peace it should dent' in the country at the time of the
Rumania raised difficulties, and a long be applied to all new and enlarged signing of the treaty become ipso
diplomatic struggle ensued. Owing, States. Taking Poland as a typical facto, and without the requirement of
to d.ssensions among the Great Pow-,example, the proposed text ran as any formality, full Rumanian citi-
zens."
eventuallylfollows:
ers, a compromise
Was
Besides watching the minority
agreed upon with her by which shed All persons born in the territories
treaties and contributing to their re-
was allowed to fulfill her obligations forming the new republic of Poland
gradually, but without any time-limit. who do not claim to be subjects of duction and negoiation, within the
foreign States, and all subjects of the measure of their resources and oppor-
She never fulfilled them.
tunities, the Joint Delegation have
Thus two European Jewish ques- States to which these territories for-
performed a great deal of miscel-
tions still remained unsolved—the merly belonged. who are permanently
laneous work. Much of it belonged
Russian and the Rumanian. They domiciled in those territories, and
constituted, however, the major part who do not desire tee retain their to the normal preoccupations of the
Joint Committee, whose activities be-
of the problem as it had existed pre- present nationality, shall he deemed
v'ously to the Congress of Berlin, for to he citizens of the Polish State, and came necessarily transferred to Paris
the Jews affected numbered at the shall enjoy equal distinction of race. during the nine months' stay of the
secretary in that city. Two branches
Cme upwards of 4,000,000, of whom language or religion.
I The freedom and outward exercise were, however, closely concerned with
3h" millions were in Russia.
the labors of the Peace Conference.
So that in attempting to find sotto of all forms of worship shall be as-
One related to the Palestine ques-
lions for these questions the Conjoint slued to all persons belonging to the
tion. While recognizing the preferen-
Committee were confronted by politi- Polish State. as well as to foreign-
tial claim of the Zionist Organiza-
cal difficulties of a very formidable ors, and no hindrance shall be offer- tion to be heard on this important
kind. In Russia they were virtually ed either to the hierarchial organiza-
question, the delegation did not abdi-
helpless, while Rumania was success-,tion of the different communions or
cate the right of the Anglo-Jewish
folly evading her treaty obligations to their relations with their spiritual
community: as a whole to place its
by resorting to a subterfuge. She chiefs.
views before the Peace Conference
All religious and cultural minorities
proceeded to declare her own native
Acting under their direction, Mr.
Jews to be foreigners, and so made in Poland shall he secured in the au-
Lucien Wolf presented to the con-
their acquisition of civil and polit- tonomous management of their re- ference on April 14, 1919, the "State-
ical rights dependent upon naturali- ligious, education, charitable and ment of Policy of the Palestine Ques-
nation, which was very rarely granted. other cultural institutions, provided tion" adopted by the Board of Depu-
The re-opening of the Eastern always that the Polish language shall ties and the Council of the Anglo-
Question in 1908 furnished an oppor-,be made an obligatory subject of in- Jewish Association on March 23rd
tunity of ventilating the grievances of struction in their schools.
and 30th, respectively. The delega-
the Rumanian Jews and from that! Differences of race or religious tion have also been happy to act on
lime upwards the Conjoint Commit- creed shall not be alleged against any behalf of the English Zionist Fed-
tee were constantly bringing the mat- person as a ground for exclusion or eration in transmitting to the con-
ter before the attention of His Maj-,incapacity, in matters relating to ad- ference (July 3rd) an important peti-
esty's Government. Encouraged by ,mission to public employment, func• tion on the same question signed by
the sympathetic attitude of the For- I tions, and honrs, or to public schools. 77,039 Jews of the United Kingdom
eign Secretary (Sir Edward Grey),'universities, educational endowments
The consideration of these docu-
the committee took care to provide:' and the exercise of the various pro. ments has been postponed until the
Against any repetition of the ova- fessions and industries in any locality treaty with Turkey and the annexed
sion' of the clauses as contrived by whatever.
mandates come up for settlement.
Rumania. and on March 12, 1914, pro-j The subjects and citizens of all the Meanwhile they have been duly ac-
posed that in any reaffirmation of Powers, traders or others shall he knowledged by the secretariat gen-
these clauses which might be render- treated in Poland without distinction eral of the conference, and the Zionist
erl necessary by the territorial changes of creed, on a footing of perfect petition elicited from Ntr. Balfour a
resulting from the two Balkan wars,!equality.
warns letter of personal sympathy
the following paragraph should bet This formula. as will he seen, differ- addressed to Mr. Wolf.
added to them: !ed from the similar provisions in the
The other branch of the miscel-
All persons of whatever religious 'Treaty of Berlin in two main respects laneous work was concerned with the y
belief born or residing in the tern- I The first paragraph effectually pogroms reported from Eastern Eu-
tortes annexed to —, in virtue of closed the loophole by which Ru- rope
rope in the early days of the con-
the Treaties of London and Bucha-!mania had evaded the old Treaty.
.
(Continued On Page 10.)
rest, and who do not claim a foreign inasmuch as it accorded the national-

The Peace Conference
And the Jewish Question

Official Report of Delegation of Jews of British Empire on the
Minority Treaties.

I

4

4

I

To Buyers
of
Furniture

N

N

\TRADErACCEPT

PLAN

-

-

30 Weeks to Pay! No Interest!

Prices Same as Cash!

A Simple System,

Explained Simply

Question: What is the Standard Plan?

Answer: It is a new and dignified system
of selling furniture on time.

Q. Is it like the "installment plan?"

A. No. It is like the system of trade accept-
ance which merchants use in buying goods.

Q. How long does it give me to pay?

A. Thirty weeks.

Q. Are there any extra charges or do I pay
for this privilege?

A. There are no extra charges, no inter-
est, no investigation fees, no red tape. The
The same prices apply as if you paid cash.

Q. What kind of furniture can I buy on
this system?

A. The best that is made: Berkey &
Gay, Karpen Bros., Sligh, Luce, Widdicomb,
Royal, Grand Rapids, etc.

Q. Where can I buy on the Standard Plan. 7

A. The Standard Plan, as far as Detroit is
concerned, is exclusive with the Robinson-
Cohen Store.

-Cohen Co.

COMPLETE HOME FURNISHERS

CORNER ./ HIGH and HASTINGS

FIVE BLOCKS EAST WOODWARD

FIVE BLOCKS NORTH
THE DOOR.

of GRAM?

NORTH -BOUND rOURTEENTH CARS PASS

Closed Saturdays.

Open Evenings and Sundays

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