No. 32.
Mr. Kasson
to Mr. Evarts.
Vienna, June 5, 1878. (Received June 20.)
Sir: The United States Government has on different occasions interested itself in the question of protecting American Jews traveling or residing in Roumania, and has expressed its sympathy with the oppressed condition of the race in that country. Preliminary to a report which I am preparing respecting the establishment of treaty relations between the United States and Roumania, whose independence, it is expected, the congress about to assemble will recognize, I beg leave to bring to your attention the question of securing the object in which so many of our compatriots take a deep interest.
In anticipation of Roumanian independence, Germany commenced negotiations with the Roumanian Government for a commercial treaty. According to information received here, the hostility of the latter to the recognition of equal rights for Jews of a foreign nationality with those of other citizens or subjects of the same nationality would have practically proscribed a portion of the German subjects. For that reason the proposed treaty was not accepted by Germany.
There is little conception in America of the tenacity of the prejudice against that race in Roumania, and of the contempt and occasional violence and wrong to which this prejudice leads, as well as to the legal deprivation of the ordinary privileges of good citizenship.
It would be to the honor of the United States Government if it could initiate a plan by which at once the condition of American Hebrews resident or traveling in Roumania, and the condition of natives of the same race, could be ameliorated and their equality before the law at least partially assured.
The European congress is about to assemble, and will be asked to recognize the independence of Roumania. Would there be any just objection to the United States Government offering on its part, if the European powers would on their part make the same condition, to recognize the independence of that country, and to enter into treaty stipulations with its government, only upon the fundamental preliminary agreements:
- 1.
- That all citizens or subjects of any such foreign nationality shall, irrespective of race or religious belief, be entitled to equal rights and protection under the treaty and under their laws.
- 2.
- That all subjects or citizens under the jurisdiction of the Roumanian Government shall, irrespective of their race or religious belief, have equal rights of trade and commerce with the citizens or subjects of the [Page 43] foreign governments making such treaty; equal rights in the purchase, consumption, barter, or sale of the products of such foreign country, and in sales of Roumanian products to such aliens; equal rights to make contracts with the citizens or subjects of such foreign government, and to be equally protected by the laws in the exercise of the rights so secured.
To this extent, at least, it seems foreign governments would be justified by international law and the law of self-interest; while they would at the same time give effect to the humane instinct of all truly civilized and Christian nations. The persecuting and oppressive spirit is so strong in Roumania against the Jews that it requires united action by liberal and constitutional governments, as well as an appeal to the strongest desires of the Roumanian people, which are just now to be permitted to enter the family of nations, to bring relief and emancipation to this proscribed race.
Your own judgment will improve, doubtless, the form of action above suggested; but it will be sufficient, I hope, to attract your attention to a question, the favorable solution of which would greatly gratify the American people, and evoke especial gratitude from that race which has found in the United States absolute legal equality and security, and the occasion of the congress is most favorable for giving it effect, if approved.
I have, &c.,