New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-08

ly Charles ScribnerS Sons
In August Of last year. when Parliament had
risen. Major Evans-GordOn visited the Jewish
pale in Russia in order to observe the condi-
sions at home OF the immigrants whose hoard
sng in English cities confronts the country
with one OF its national problems. Afforded
ay n Plehve, then Minister Of the Interior,
such letters as could assist him with governors
and other officials, the author left St Peters
nurg for the pale lie visited Dvinsk, Riga
a-ibau vilna-one Of the most congested Of these
rities-Pinsk. from which detour was MADE
Into the interior Of the country; Warsaw. LOCI
scracow, Bucharest. Galatz and Lemberg. HIS
observations are recorded here with oetal'
but with a faculty for intelligent gener2Ilzlils'
and are preceded by description OF the prop
lem as IL presents its growing front IN the
15ast End Of London.
OF the relations between the peasantry and
the Jews IN Russia. the author says that on
.he whole the Jews are a benefit rather than
n menace. The towns where Jews are founa
SHOW as a rule a much healthier activity
ssharp bargains are 20 be expected, but that
she Jews behave much worse than would other
.lasses OF merchants similarly placed is
doubted In Riga, which is essentially German
sather than Russian, the trace IN agriculture
produce is largely in their hands Ihelr or
.anization throughout the empire is elaborate
and their information on the state Of the gen
srai market is remarkably exact
The means they adopt fer transmitting in
formation are typical one. recently olscoE ,
erred was the marking Of hierogiyphcs in chalk
son some part Of an outgoing train This elpher
gave the market price or other Up 10 a nlello
or agent stationed at distance he mao
saereiv n walk on 10 the platform when the
train came IN TO get all the Information ne
sequired- 1t was safer than let1er, DETER
and as rule. quicker than telegram, ana
:t had the additional merit Of costing nothing.
In Ifbau there is a good deal Of poverty and
JeH-s are under disabilities, but there is plenty
of space and air, and rents are low AT wilma
the ghetto could be studied in all its original
picturesque squalor. With all sympathy for the
circumstances OF the people there the author
could not see the advantage Of transferring
them 10 the East End. From such congested
towns, where the Jewish society is at Its low
est stratum comes the main immigration into
England. II is transferred from one place TO
-ge other. reproducing its conditions without
lettering itself and with great detriment and
danger TO the receiving nation. In his detour
:nt0 the country villages, the author found lit
tie evidence Of I'll feeling between peasants and
Jews. The peasants were ignorant supersti-
sious and lacking IN energy. They suffered the
handicap too, OF many holidays and saints
days. Of which l65. when no Orthodox Russian
may work are recognized by the State. But
these two classes Of Inhabitants get along well
enough together. working. though side by side.
sn different spheres. In Poland there are no
restrictions as TO the places in which Jews may
live. This freedom does not appear TO be OF
great advantage TO them The emancipation
Of the serfs has with the growth OF railways
taken from the Jews a monopoly OF transport
trade and the governments assumption Of the
1iQuor trade has caused them a financial set
hack. Fraudulent bankruptcy has become preva-
Dent IN many regions. TO the harm Of trade.
The freedom OF the press IN Galicia is used
TOR the constant denouncing Of the Jews. and
enti-Senitic prejudice runs high. In Ruma-
mia Il was evident that the charge that the
country had duped Europe in regard to its
naturalization promises was abundantly true
and that persecution was, If anything, pro-
gressive.
The book aims 20 draw picture OF signif-
cant facts rather than TO preach the moral
but stin the conclusion is urgently expressed
:n several places that immigration should be
much restricted. the ghettOs OF the cities broken
up and the clannish habits Of the new ar
rivals overcome far government may
do