Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-04
HELP OF CONGRESS
lmplored by American Hebrews for
Their Russian Brethren.
RUSSIA MAY NOT BE IN EARNEST.
But Even the Probability Of Million
Men Being Expelled
S IRRITATING HEBREW CIRCLES

There is considerable irritation felt in
local Hebrew circles over the reported ex-
pulsion of the Hebrews from Russia.
Morris Rosenthal, the wholesale liquor
dealer, went to New York last night on
business. While there he will make dill
gent inquiries regarding the matter and
learn, if possible, all that is being done In
the metropolis and throughout the country
to relieve the suffering Hebrews in Russia,
1t was announced that a meeting would
be held in one of the synagogues yesterday
afternoon to take action on the stringent
measures adopted by the Russian Govern
ment. but the meeting did not materialize.
MIR. Rosenthal was seen at his home on
Wylie avenue. He did not know how the
report that a meeting was to be held became
circulated, as, SO far as he knew, no meeting
is contemplated t...,r.,e
'Pittsburg," said he, ''is too small COM
munIty to take the initiatory steps in this
matter. 1t is true something must be done;
and something will be done. The Hebrews
of America will not stand idly by and allow
their Russian brethren to be imposed upon,
without protesting. But New York, Phila-
delphia and Chicago are all much larger
cities and have larger Hebrew populations
than Pittsburg, and we must wait until we
see what is to be done in those cities before
making move here. - .
A PLAN OF ACTION.
ST think the plan of action that will be
adopted will be in the shape of combined
effort, all over the country. New York,
which is now practically the headquarters
of the Hebrew race, will be made the central
point, where able men will have charge OF
the movement. Circulars will be sent to all
churches and societies in the country,
requesting them to meet and discuss
what measures will be best to adopt
for the relief Of the European Hebrews.
1t is probable that Congress will
be asked to interfere with the move in Rus
sia, and ask the Government there not to
carry out their contemplated application Of
the edicts of 1882. This plan has worked
successfully in relation to other foreign mat
ters and I believe it could be repeated.
There will not be anything done in Pitts
burg, however, until New York takes the
lead, and cannot tell how soon that will
be-"
Mr.Jacob Fink, President of one of the local
hebrew DenenclA societies, was also seen.
Mr.. Fink has already interested himself in
the matter by writing to Josiah Cohen, who
is now. in Europe on a pleasure tour, re-
questing him to make thorough investiga-
tion of affairs in Russia before returning.
Mr.. Cohen is, expected to be well enough
informed on the subject to be of great value
to the movement in America.
THE SITUATION SERIOUS.
'I don't believe" said Mr.. Fink, "that
Russia will enforce the edicts strictly, but
then we cannot be sure, and must guard
against possibilities. If we are active we
may prevent the proportion of Hebrew
scholars, admitted to Russian schools, from
being reduced from to 21z per cent, or
the 16 governments in which our people are
permitted to live cut down to six.
''The situation is very serious one. The
rich men of st. Petersburg are responsible
for the whole thing, and if they have their
way, NO. Hebrew will be, permitted to own
land or hire it for agricultural purposes; to
hold shares in or work mines; to enter
the army; to practice medicine or
law; to be an engineer or enter
any of the other professions They Will
also be debarred from holding posts under
the Government. The enforcement of the
edicts will simply mean the expulsion of
over 100000 Hebrews from the country.
The American Government can stop this
injustice, which all the other European
countries are opposed to- and think Con-
gress will be asked to take a hand"