(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Jacob Landau, managing director of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, on his way back from Palestine was held at the Roumanian port, Constanza, by the Roumanian authorities and was refused permission to enter the country in revenge for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency having circulated throughout the world press the reports concerning the continuous anti-Jewish excesses in Roumania.
Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Landau had his passport properly vised by the Roumanian authorities, he was refused permission to land and was taken back to the steamer Marie, where he was held practically under arrest, guarded by two soldiers during the entire day and through the night. His Roumanian friends were prohibited from boarding the steamer and permission to send telegrams was also denied him. Mr. Landau finally received permission to despatch a telegram to General Averescu, Prime Minister of Roumania, protesting against his arrest.
In the meantime he was taken to the steamer Asia which was about to sail for Constantinople.
At the last moment before sailing he was suddenly informed that he might proceed to Bucharest.
Mr. Landau’s release was brought about by the efforts of Samuel C. Lamport, prominent New York merchant and communal worker, who was his fellow traveller on the steamer from Palestine. Mr. Lamport intervened with the United States Ambassador in Roumania, William C. Culbertson, and with the American Consul in Bucharest, E. Palmer. The latter urged the police authorities of Constanza to release Mr. Landau, stating that otherwise the embassy would make representations to the Roumanian government.
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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.
