Roumanian Jews of America Protest to Roumanian Ambassador Against Anti-jewish Excesses and Official

The protest of Roumanian Jews in America against the recent anti-Jewish excesses in Roumania and the denials issued by the representatives of the Roumanian government concerning the accuracy of the reports transmitted by the Jewish Telegraphic Agency concerning these events was expressed in the form of an open letter addressed to George Cretziano, Roumanian Minister at Washington.

The “Jewish Daily Bulletin” published, several days ago, the text of the denial issued by the Roumanian Minister. This denial is rebuked in the open letter, which is signed by Leo Wolfson, president of the United Roumanian Jews of America, and Herman Speier, executive secretary. The letter reads as follows:

“We respectfully bring to your attention the following:

“Alarming and shocking news, with reference to the treatment of the Jews in Roumania, have reached us during the last few weeks.

“We had hoped that the present government would keep its pledges to maintain order and to protect the life and property of its Jewish citizens. We must note, however, with sorrow in our hearts, that not only has it failed to do so, but it has actually pursued a policy, which is directly responsible for the tragic and deplorable events which have recently taken place.

“In Cernauti, a Jewish student, David Falik, was in a cowardly and brutal manner murdered in a hall of justice, while on trial for a misdemeanor before a Roumanian Tribunal. The murderer was a Roumanian University student, who came specially from Iasi to commit the crime. It was as cold, deliberate and premeditated a murder as was ever committed. The conscience of the country should have been shocked and aroused at this atrocious crime. The government should have taken the sternest measures to punish the assassin and those who instigated him. Instead, the murderer is being proclaimed a national hero, a super patriot, and is petted and adulated. He, too, will no doubt be freed as was the murderer of the police officer Manciu. What opinion can the civilized world have of such stultification, mockery and travesty of justice?

“The state of affairs which led to the murder must also be laid at the door of the government. Its policy towards Jewish students who sought admission to the University is indefensible. The examinations were unfair and deliberately framed with a view to ‘flunk’ the Jewish students. As was intended, over 75 per cent of those who took the examinations failed. When the students and their parents protested against the introduction in this indirect way of the infamous ‘numerus clausus’ they were arrested, tried and punished. In this case Roumanian justice was swift. So many guilty offenders against the peace and order of the country remain untried and unpunished. Defenders of their rights, fighters against oppression and persecution, they were quickly made to feel the penalty of the laws. The actions of the government with reference to the examinations and the subsequent events constitute a flagrant violation of the rights of the Jews as Roumanian citizens, as guaranteed to them by the treaties of Versailles and St. Germain. Roumania ill repays her Jews the many sacrifices of blood and fortune, which they have brought upon the altar of their country.

“Then, the Congress of the Roumanian University students took place. Disregarding the poisonous propaganda it spread, the many falsehoods and vile calumnies it uttered, from previous experiences, the government should have known that it usually ends with manifestations against the Jews. Measures should have been taken to protect the Jews–a pitiable enough situation. The government, however, did nothing. The results have added a black page to Roumanian history and another heartrending chapter to the history of the Jews.

“Pogroms took place in Kishineff and Calarasi, and manifestations and devastations in other cities. Bands of Roumanian students perpetrated these atrocities, and the authorities stopped them only after their destructive work was done. Once more Jewish blood was spilled on the pavements of the streets of Kishineff. Once more, under the present regime Jewish men, women and children were beaten and maltreated. Jewish stores were looted and robbed. Jewish houses were damaged, window panes smashed. Even synagogues were not spared by the vandals. Trains are being stopped and Jewish passengers, after being beaten and robbed are actually thrown off them.

“Pogroms–mob attacks against the Jews, instigated by or made with the connivance or approval of the government, used to be a Russian institution in the dark days of Czardom rule. Now we have a pogrom–yes, a pogrom in the real Russian style, perpetrated by Roumanian hoodlums under a Roumanian regime. We say, deliberately, that the Kishineff pogrom of 1926 and the excesses which were instigated by the so-called students could not have taken place if the government had done its simple duty. To its everlasting shame it had not done it, and history will hold it responsible for this crime against the Jews.

“We, as American citizens born in Roumania, who have always taken a deep interest in Roumania and her welfare, feel ashamed that such cruel, tragic events could take place there. Our heart goes out in sympathy to our poor, unfortunate brethren in Roumania. We believe it to be our solemn duty to give expression to our indignation and protest against the pogroms, outrages and devastations of which our brethren are the victims. We condemn publicly the government of Roumania and charge it with being directly responsible for the crimes committed against the Jews.

“We call upon all men and women of America and the civilized world, who love freedom, justice and fair play to give expression of their own righteous indignation and protest against the Government of Roumania.

“These, Your Excellency, are the facts about the situation of the Jews in Roumania, and not the official version which you kindly conveyed to us.”

Confirmation of the reports of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency concerning the events in Roumania is also contained in a statement issued from the headquarters of the American Jewish Congress. The American Jewish Congress declares, on the basis of cable advices received from the Committee of Jewish Delegations in Paris, that “an inquiry made by the Committee of Delegations has not only confirmed the report of the outrages committed, but has revealed the tragic and perilous condition of the Jews of Roumania.”

Another cable received by the American Jewish Congress from Paris states that Deputy Stern, representative of Bukowina in the Roumanian parliament, stated that “The Jewish Telegraphic Agency has told the whole truth.”

CORRECTION

An error occurred in yesterday’s report of the results of the Hakoah Soccer Team in the games for the championship of the Austrian Football League.

Instead of stating that the Hakoah had been successful in the final game, the report should have read: In the last few games of the Austrian Football League, the Hakoah was undefeated and has acquired a higher position toward the championship than it had attained by this time last year.

The Keren Hayesod Women’s League Bazaar was opened Saturday night at the Waldorf Astoria, New York.