Speech #630084163

The result was that not only was the fulfillment of Article XLVI of the convention of Paris rendered impossible. but the whole influence of the mercantile electorate was employed to obtain the imposition of fresh disabilities upon the Jews and to inflame the religious and racial prejudices of the populace against them. Instead of gradually emancipating them in accordance with the provisions of the convention of Paris. even their status as nonChristian MoldoWallachs. acknowledged in that instrument. was denied them. They were assimilated by the civil code of 1864 to aliens. though admitted by the code to be indigenes. and were made dependent on a difficult and tedious process of naturalization for their acquisition of political rights . Even the privilege was withdrawn from them by the constitution of 1866. which declared (Art. VII) that only Christians may obtain naturalization. Consequently Article XLVI of the convention of Paris remained a dead letter." In the meantime the Jews of Roumania were more bitterly oppressed than ever. New laws discriminating against them were passed. riots and massacres were renewed with greater fury.