Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1882-09-15

The persecution of the Jews in Russia
seems to be going on with unabated
fury. The indignant protests of the civ
illzed world have apparently had no
effect. On the contrary, the excuses
committed by fanatical or drunken mobs
IN Russian towns and villages are more
outrageous than ever. Only few days
ago atrocities were reported from the
neighborhOod of Odessa which DEFY be.
lief. The persecution seems to have
acquired almost the character of a war
OF determination. In some instances
me Russian Government appeared to
,n'erpose with some energy for the pro-
lection of the helpless Hebrews. But
shese efforts were too disjointed and
ansystematic to produce any restraining
effect upon the anti-.Jew movement at
large. When an outbreak at one place
seemed to be qualled, another one fol-
lowed not far Off against which no pre-
cautions had been taken at all. It is
Dut too probable that the measures for
the repression and prevention of these
outrages were undertaken by the Gov
ernment only in a half-hearted spirit,
for wh;lo it professed the best intentions
to protect the lives and property OF its
jewish subjects it turns out that at the
same time plan was discussed between
the Car and his Ministers to expel all
the jews from the territory of the Rus
SION Empire by sweeping act of expa-
triation.
This scheme is said to have been
stopped, much to the chagrin of its
principal advocate, General Ignatieff,
by the Minister of Finance, who thought
1t prudent to count the cost of the un-
dertaking before proceeding any fur
ther. 1t has been estimated that the
persecution of the Jews in Russia had
already caused loss in houses and
farming improvements and goods de-
stroyed and money taken away by emil
grants already amounting to f22 2,0OO,-
600, or about 800, 900, 900, not counting
the losses caused by the general disturb
ance of the laboring forces of society in
consequence of the riots. Considering
the extent which these destructive dis
turbances have assumed, this estimate
in money is probably far below the
mark. The conclusion drawn by the
Minister of Finance is that general
expulsion of the Jews from Russia would
result in a serious damage of the finan-
cial resources of the country and the
Government, and should not be thought
OF for these practical reasons.
But 1t is not money or money value
alone that Russia has lost through this
outbreak Of barbarous spirit. The
real loss can not be computed in money,
but will no doubt somo day be seriously
felt by Russia at some critical moment
n her future history. BY this war of
atrocities against the Jews, waged by
the Russian people, and the toleration,
if not actual connivance, it had on the
part of the Government, Russia has not
only forfeited in great measure the
good opinion and sympathy of the world
In general, but incurred the uncompro-
missing, undying resentment and active
hatred of one of the most thrifty, most
intelligent, most energetic and untiring,
most cohesive, and, in proportion to
their number, most powerful races of
people the world over. There is not
only no civilized country in which the
Jews do not WELD immense power on
the field of financial business, the largest
banking houses on earth being in their
hands, and most great financial opera
tions-of governments rs well as private
corporate bodies-depeEding upon their
cooperation and countenance, but there
is no country in which they do not ex-
ercise strong and subtle influence
upon public Opinion-an influence
which it is sometimes most difficult to
trace to its source when it is most po-
tent. Russia, with her interior troubles,
her disordered finances, her ungoverna-
BILE ambitions, her uncertain future,
could better afford to see her national
debt trebled, and to have chronic disa-
greement with any European power of
the first class, than to have the implaca-
BILE, sleepless enmity of ali that is of jew
ish blood untiringly working against her
in every country on the face of the earth,
with all the elements of power and
means of influence that race possesses.
This tho Russian Minister of Finance did
not take into account. 1t is q loss that
can not be expressed in figures, but it is
likely to come to book at time when
Russia can least afford to lose n friend
or have enemies anywhere. History has
its revenges, which are usually justly.
\. Evening Post.