The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-12
B'NAI BIRTH PETITION
To THE CAR OF RUSSIA
Views of the Rabbi Of the Adath Israel
Congregation.

Referring to an editorial headed Our
Note to Russia. published in your issue
Of the I'd inst. beg TO oppose my
opinions TO those therein expressed
The course pursued by The Times az
regards the Kishinev matter is most
praiseworthy. In line with other fear
less American newspapers 1t has dis
played the keenest interest and most
hearty cooperation in behalf of the
greatest sufferers and martyrs of the
age.
Yet its pronounced objection to for
Warding the petition Of the B'nai Birth
10 the Russian government. as deter
mind by President Roosevelt. may
come like a surprise to most Of its read
ers, as it does to myself.
II the Kishinev barbarities have been
| justly condemned and stigmatized. as a
blot on human civilization" should not
this civilization make an effort to rem
edy the evil and lift out the unfortun-
ates from their Ditiable plight? True
sympathy is only that which does not
remain passive at the Indebtedness OF
humanity. but seeks for means and
ways to remove the source OF the
trouble.
Sympathy which is not accompanied
by active measures for the relief Of the
distressed IS a mere sham.
The Kishinev mishap is certainly ire
vocable- No amount OF expressed SYM
no ~ ,.-srf
from their untimeIy graves. or restore
comfort and ease 10 those whose life
has been made wretehed by a brutal
element let loose for a while from the
shackles of tyranny. in land OF dark
ness where man is taught from earliest
childhood TO hate and be hated, 10 op-
press and be Representatives, TO live
and let live
Let the past bury its dead: but what
dark future is held out before the
millions Of Jews still existing in Russia.
They are in no way secure against fresh
outbreaks and occurrences of brutalities
Of the Kishinev type,
So long as in the sight of the Russian
laws Jews are considered Outcasts. so
long as human rights and advantages OF
education are denied them; so long as
/ they are not permitted 10 hold any Office,
/ civil OF military. while they are bound
/ TO endure a tormenting and degrading
military service and readily shed their
blood for a so-called "fatherland;" SO
/ long as they are ENGAGED in the few
| congested districts and cannot go TO
dwell in the land according 70 human
needs and prospects: so long as the
anathema Of Jew-baiting newspapers
viii be continually heaped upon them,
and false accusations allowed 10 be cir
culated concerning ritual murder, pro-
fessional usury, exploitation. etc. just
so long the Russian populaee will never
cease TO look upon Jews as aliens and
degraded beings whose life and property
may be looted at any convenient time.
Under such conditions the recurrence
of "pogroms" are inevitable, No sane
man can hope for a cessation Of those
shocking outrages.
And since the civilized world is now
aware of the situation. it is absolutely
incumbent upon it 10 effect change in
the position of the 100000 people held
in actual slavery.
Why interfere in the internal affairs
of a friendly nation?" This IS the maia
point OF argument on the part Of those
opposed to the Presidents action in the
matter. 1t is true. We have no legal
right TO interfere in things we call the
exclusive possession Of others. How
ever, there are instances of the kind
where the moral right for our personal
I =. fg.~as
dut-.
supposing. at the home of a friendly
neighbor." the bitter CRY is heard OF
helpless wife beaten mercilessly at the
hands of a drunken husband: or an in
nocent child is struggling under the
murderous gatherings OF a beastly IA
Their actuated by the influence of liquor
or wild passion The laws may per-
chance pronounce the culprit his own
boss" and the victim his own prop
erty." And yet the world cannot be
governed by the mere dictates OF for
mality Mankind should often be
prompted by the principle of morality
without regard 10 precedent or custom.
Against such unseemly placidness there
is a Biblical injunction: stand not
Lidlel by the blood of thy neighbor!"
The American people all revere and
venerate the name Of its great martyr
President, Abraham Lincoln, who died
for the sake of a noble cause-a moral
duty. not a legal right; for the law"
may not have permitted him 10 en-
croach upon the property" OF friendly
neightors-the Confederates. cat least.
this was the argument OF many Our
moral support toward Cuba was no
legal right. The fntercession OF the
powers in China, Turkey. and other
places is enacted by similar motive
England just recently fought and
conquered two neighboring states in
South Africa. because they had en-
deavored 10 become their own
bosses. Withholding human right and
liberties from those who do not claim
their own descent and religion.
can therefore see no reason on
earth why the note Of the B'nai Birth
should not be forwarded. especially as
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