The recent anti-Jewish disturbances in several parts of Roumania are being openly discussed in the Roumanian press. The paper “L’Independence Roumayne,” the official paper of the Roumanian Foreigh Office, printed an article in which the Vienna office of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency is charged with spreading incorrect reports concerning the Jewish massacres in Roumania, while, the paper says, “only a few students in Bluj have jested with a few
Jewish passersby; and when the situation grew serious the police intervened immediately. Unfortunately the sensation seeking American public was satisfied at the expense of Roumania.”
The next day, the Roumanian paper “Adverul” printed an editorial in reply, stating:
“Vienna has committed certain exaggerations because no direct reports from Roumania were possible. However, the denial of the Roumanian Government will remain ineffectual because it denies flatly everything, while, as a matter of fact, sixty Jews were seriously wounded. They were thrown fro the windows of trains going at full speed. Trains were also kept for long periods at the various stations so that the drunken anti-Semites might have plenty of time for their doings. It is also true that during this time the Roumanian authorities did not extend any help to the attacked and maltreated Jews. No one lives now behind a Chinese wall, and the denial of the government is, therefore, in vain and a disgrace. It would be much better if the truth were admitted and the guilty ones punished, especially those officials who completely forgot their duty. On the other hand, the protest of the Jews abroad is entirely justified.”
The “Adverul” ends its editorial with the warning that should the disturbances be repeated, a catastrophe in Roumania would be unavoidable. It states that the events which took place in Klausenburg and in Bluj are umparelelled in the entire world, and that the denial of the government proves that either the government is not capable of enforcing the laws of the country, of that the hooligan elements are preparing to enter into opposition to the present government.
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.
