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