In a statement to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency today, Carol Davila, Roumanian Minister to the United States, praised highly the late Maurice Blank, the Jewish banker of Roumania, who was generally known as the Rothschild of Roumania.
In his statement M. Davila said that “with the death of Maurice Blank one of the greatest personalities of Roumanian finance and grand and imposing figure has disappeared. During a period of nearly 70 years he developed an untiring activity, raising the Bank which bears his name from a modest enterprise to one of the most important financial institutions in Roumania. Endowed with a prudent, but nevertheless generous and penetrating spirit, he participated in all outstanding economic initiatives, among which may be mentioned the construction of one of the first railroads built with Roumanian capital and by Roumanian engineers.
“In 1899 and again in 1907 when Roumanian finances passed through a severe crisis, Maurice Blank’s firm attitude exercised a decisive influence in quieting down public opinion and contributed largely to clearing up the situation.
“That he should have succeeded in commanding the respect and admiration of the public and the friendship and confidence of statesmen and kings, like King Carol and King Ferdinand, is all the more remarkable as he achieved that position of eminence at a time when Jews did not, as they now do, enjoy full political equality. There is no doubt that to his personality is due, to a very large extent, the understanding between Jews and Christians in Roumania, thanks to which the Jews now enjoy full political and civil rights.
“Personally I have known him well and have always been impressed not only by his upright and loyal character, but especially by his high patriotic spirit. Roumania regrets the disappearance of this noble figure.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
