THE JEW IN AMERICA.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7949, 26 January 1906, Page 3

THE JEW IN AMERICA.

Professor Abram S. Isaacs gives a very pleasant account of the Jew id America in the North American Review. He says that the first Jews arrived in the New World in 1654, but he claims that it was largely owing to the Jews that America was discovered by Columbus: "The dose ooiinection between the Jows ,and the discovery of America has row fairly been proved. It was* known that several men of Jewish birth accompanied the Genoese, among them Luis de Torres, his interpreter; while his Jewish patron, Santangel, received from Oolnmbus the first account of his discovery. Not ODly did astronomical works and scientific instruments prepared by Jews assist him greatly, but it was men of Jewish descent who finally succeeded in securing for him Queen Isabella's favour. In addition, the confiscated property of the unfortunate Jews was utilised for the expenses of t*e seoon,d voy-' age of Columbus." Professor Isaacs declares that the Jews in America have always been distinguished by energy, persistence and public spirit. The American atmosphere suits the Jew. He is active in business, but he has not amassed great fortunes. Neither does he seem to have devoted himself to agriculture. He has distinguished himself by enterprise in striking out new lines of industry, and he has created the department store. He has great breadth of view. He is intensely patriotic—the most American of Americans. His most valuable trait is his love of education. But he is ceasing to be a Jew. .