[The purpose of the Digest is informative: Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval.–Editor.]
That the position of the Jews in Turkey is not very favorable at present owing to the spirit of exaggerated nationalism prevailing in that country today, is the information contained in the “Najer Folksblat,” a Yiddish paper of Lodz, Poland, in an acticle reporting the results of a visit to Turkey by Dr. Jacques Adler, German Jewish journalist.
“The position of the Jews in Constantinople is not good,” we read. “The nationalism of the new Turkey is directed especially against the Greeks and Armenians, but it strikes the Jews too. In the army and navy the higher positions are practically closed to the Jews.
“Especial hardship results from the economic crisis in Constantinople. The whole policy of the government regarding taxes and monopoly goods is now directed against the unfriendly metropolis and constitutes a blow to private business. A considerable emigration is in progress. The germs of anti-Semitism have made their way into the schools of higher education and the Turkish students, who have hitherto been tolerant, are now under the influence of anti-Jewish feelings.”
CHARLES W. ELIOT
The recent death of Charles W. Eliot is commented on by “The Daily Jewish Courier” of Chicago.
In its issue of August 25th the paper observes editorially:
“On more than one occasion Dr. Eliot spoke to the Jewish youth and about Jews in general. On such occasions he always distinguished himself with his broadmindedness, freedom from prejudice, and his deep insight into the psychology of minorities. His objection to the idea of America as a ‘melting pot’ is well known. ‘Standardization,’ he declared, kills personality. He desired that the races should preserve their individual qualities and cultures, while living side by side in peace.
“He died with much honor bestowed upon him which never deliberately sought but which naturally came to him and he was blessed in years, leaving behind him a monument of good deeds and noble lectures which will long survive in the memory of America.”
“BERLINER TAGEBLATT” ON PALESTINE
Criticism of the policy of limiting Jewish immigration in Palestine is voiced in the “Berliner Tageblatt” of recent date by its Palestine correspondent.
Describing the progress made by the Jews in the rebuilding of the country the correspondent remarks, into alia:
“The Jews are gradually being eliminated from the police force. The Jews are hindered in entering their own homeland. The result of all this is necessarily: Immigration has fallen from 1600 to 1500 per month, while the emigration has risen to 300 owing to the prevailing crisis. The net immigration equals the natural increase of the Arab population.”
FACILITIES GRANTED JEWISH EMIGRANTS FROM ROUMANIA, REPORT OF HIAS DECLARES
The American Consul at Bucharest has agreed to permit the inspection of Jewish emigrants by Jewish physicians of the former Polyclinic, Oze, a statement issued by the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society of America declared.
The Roumanian doctor who hitherto was the only one to examine Jewish emigrants before the Consul was very unfriendly to emigrants in general and particularly to the Jews, it was stated.
The emigrants are now examined by Jewish doctors who understand their language.
The Hias also obtained a concession in connection with the granting of visas. The American Consul has always demanded that every emigrant applying for a visa must bring a certificate from a shipping company stating that the voyage is fully prepaid to destination. The Consul refused to recognize tickets the emigrants bought from local representatives of shipping companies unless Hias gave a written guarantee that these tickets had been fully paid for. Most of the emigrants under the July quota had already bought their steamship tickets and faced a great hardship until Hias arranged to give the desired guarantee. This arrangement with the shipping companies has also led to the Hias exercising a certain control over the shipping agencies and thus protecting the emigrants against being exploited.
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.
