Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-04-19
THE JEWS IN RUSSIA.
Treated With Contempt and Cruelty
by Followers Of the Gar.
When ReproacheS. Russia Tells Other Powers
10 Mind Their Own Business.

Washington, April 1S.-Our late minis
ter to Russia. Prof. Andrew d. White, has
contributed to the files of the state depart
ment a comprehensive essay on the condi-
tions OF the Israelites in Russia, and the
effects OF their forced emigration to the
United States. Soon after the beginning
of the resent administration, Secretary
Gresham cent dispatch to our minister
at st. Petersburg, stating that representa-
tions were made here that the Russian
government was about to enforce an edict
against the Jews which would result in
large emigration of destitute people OF
that class to the United States. and d.
rectipg tho minister to ascertain the facts
and report as speedily as possible the
terms of the edict and its possible effect
Minister White replied that there had
been no new edict banishing lsraelites
from Poland but tho old cdicts had re-
Gently been enforced in various parts Of
the empire with increased severity.
Mr.. White, in his report, says there are
about 8 600, 900 Israelites in Russia, form
ing, 1t is claimed. more than half the en-
tire Jewish race. These arc packed to-
cethcr in the cities and villages Of what
was formerly Poland and the adjacent
In exclamation of the question raised
abroad, as to the strangeness of the ma
tion's wish to cxpel people who In other
parts OF the world, have amassed so much
wealth. tho fact Is stated that but very
small fraction Of them In Russia are
wealthy; and few even In comfortable cir
cumstances. The vast majority of them
arc In poverty and very considerable part
inc ha pf
ton.
Even in the parts of the empire where
the Israclites are the most free they are
not allowed to hold property in land or
take a mortgage on land, or to farm the
land, and Of late they have been to large
extent prevented from living on farms,
and have been thrown into cities and viii
lagos.
The Jewish manufactures have at times,
even under the preseht reign, been frp-
pied by laws and regulations forb dins
them to employ Christian workmen, bat
these arc understood to be not now IN
force. A few Israelites are allowed to be
come engineers and they are allowed to
hold per cent. of the positions of army
surgeons, aud no more. AS rule they
nre debarred from discharging any pubic
functions of Importance.
In reference to the claim that the Jews
are restricted because they lend money to
tho peasants at enormous rates OF in
terest, Minister White points out that in
dividuals In parts of Russia where no
Jews are permitted, made loans at much
higher rate than the jews ever ventured
to charge.
Another charge against the Jews treated
by Mr.. White, is the allegation that al
though Emperor Alexander II had shown
himself more kindly disposed toward the
Israelitcs than any of his predecessors, the
proportion of Israclites implicated in vari-
Gus movements against him, especially in
the Nihlistic movements. and in tho final
plot which led to his assassination, was far
beyond the numerical proportion of their
race in Russia to tho entire population
This feeling, says Mr.. White, was at the
bottom OF the cruel prosecutions of the
Israeltes by the peasants just after the
death of the lato Emperor, and had much
to do with the prejudices of various per-
sonages Of high influence as we'll as of the
vast mass of the people which still exist
After reviewing the other charges
against the prosecuted people Mr.. White
sums up by saying: The whole present
condition of things is rather the outcome
Of great complicated mass of causes, in
volving racial antiquities reInombranccs
Of financial seryitudc vague inherited
prejudices, with myths and legends like
those of tho middle ages,
The present policy regarding the Israel
ties Mr. White states. is driving them
out of tho country in great masses, princi-
pally to the United States and Argentine
Republic. He points out that the present
attempted classification Of the Cars
dominions is partly responsible for the
Jewish persecution.
Any discussion regarding the change is
generally met by the statement that Rus
sian questions are largely misrepresentcd
by the press of western Europe; that Eng
land does or allows worse things in her
Irish evictions and in her opium traffic,
and the United States in lynch law pro
ceedings and treatment of the Chinese,
than any done or allowed in Russia; and
that Russia is competent to take charge
Of her own internal policy and that other
powers will do we'll to mind their own
business
Mr.. White predicts that reaction can
not be long deferred.