Deputy Ebner Says Many Jews in Bukowina Threatened with Expulsion

That many Jews in Bukowina, Roumania, are, from time to time, being threatened with expulsion because of the unsettled passport question, is daily brought to the attention of Jewish representatives in Roumania, says Deputy Mayer Ebner in an editorial in the “Ostjuedische Zeitung,”‘ which has reached this country.

In spite of the terms of the Peace Treaties, many people, but almost all of them Jews, are not regarded as Roumanian citizens, even if they are living within the borders since ten, twenty and even forty years, the editorial states. Thus, they are considered foreigners, and whereas the Jews concerned used to live in the old Austrian Empire, where there was no restriction of migration or settlement, those who resided in parts which now belong to Poland, are now requested to have Polish passports, on penalty of expulsion.

The Polish Consulate is willing to give such people Polish passports, but complying with this formality does not yet solve the question, according to Deputy Ebner. Maybe, there would not be much trouble for the one individual or the other, to regard himself as Pole (the majority, however, declines to do so), but the material consequences are more difficult for him, since he, by doing so, finally admits his foreignership and will become subject to all disadvantages and restrictions of foreigners. Though they may, at first glance, also as foreigners be protected, in truth they are under alien rights, have to ask for a residence permit, are restricted in professional questions, etc. There is a probability that, later on, they will no longer receive the permit, and sooner or later be threatened with definite expulsion.

Dr. Ebner announces an unbending fight against this injustice, though admitting that, for the time being, there is little hope for improvement in the near future, since all Governments in Roumania have denied rights to the “citizens by Peace Treaties.”