The Reform Advocate (Chicago, Illinois) (June 23, 1900)
Distress In Roumania .
Owing to the failure of the crops , the Jews in the country districts of Roumania are absolutely starving .
Although the government has established relief works , it is forbidden to give Jews employment .
The children are dying in large numbers , and the young men are emigrating , leaving the families without any means of support behind them .
The Jews are regarded as strangers , and since 1878 only 200 have received the right of naturalization . There are altogether 250,000 Jews in Roumania , and an appeal is being made on their behalf .
The following facts illustrate the present situation in Roumania : On Saturday , May 19th , ninety-four young men left Berlad to tramp to Hamburg , where they will embark for America . The whole Jewish population of the town turned out , accompanied them some distance out of the town , and the parting scenes were most affecting . Farewell addresses were delivered by Rabbi Dr . Friedman and Herr Kundwitsch .
On the 25th ult , the party reached Jassy , but they were not allowed by the prefect to enter the town . The Jewish inhabitants thereupon turned out to greet the wanderers , and distributed 1,000 francs amongst them besides necessities . The emigrants , wearing sandals and carrying long sticks, with their possessions in knapsacks , presented a striking appearance .
Last week forty Jews left Galatz for America , and sixty went to Cyprus . Fifteen families and twenty young men left Braila for America . From Poloesti twenty families have emigrated to America , from Bucharest sixty families have gone to the same destination . These latter were “seen off” by 5,000 persons .
Apart from the foregoing , the prefect of Jassy issued in two days ninety-eight passes with the ”never return” clause .
An emigration society has been organized in Braila , where twenty families are leaving for London . In Crajova , between fifty and sixty young men have determined to leave for America , and as they have no funds , they will tramp to Hamburg .
Another party of tramp emigrants has been organized in Galatz , where 100 young men , students , workmen , and shop assistants , will also make for Hamburg . —London Jewish World , June 8 .