Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-05-18
THE B'NAR BIRTH
Subscribes Over S11O0 for Jew
ish Sufferers in Russia.
Pres, Levi Makes Statement on Re-
cent Atrocities at Kisshineff.
Russia Denies Them, but Appearances
Are Against Her.

New Haven, Conn, May 17.-During
the course of the days proceedings in
the annual convention of District No. |,
independent Order of B'Nai BIRTH,
subscriptions were called for to aid the
kiShnef, Russia, sufferers, and more
than $110O was promptly secured among
the delegates, about 40 of whom We're
present This district comprises the
states of New York, MaSSac husettS,
Rhode Island, Connecticut and The Do
minion of Canada, President J. b.
Klein read his annual report of the
work of the lodges in the district, after
which he presented to the meeting a
message from National President Leo
n Levi of New York, concerning the
Kishnieff affair The statement from
President Levi follows:
THE recent massacre of Jews at
KishincM has aroused great excitement
and as usual when excitement prevails,
errors of lasting influence are likely 10
be committed. To the end that the
B'Nai B'Rith--the great Worldwide,
permanent representative Jewish or
ganization-may not be hereafter en-
barrassed or crippled in its usefulness
by mistakes in this crisis, beg through
you to lay before the subordinate lodges
the following facts and considerations:
when the massacre was first report
ed the executive committee, through
one of its members, Hon. Samuel Wolf,
applied to our government for an o1li-
cial report of the reported event, con-
tanning a list of victims, statement
of the relief required and the manner
in which it could be afforded without
giving offence to Russia. The secretary
of state cabled for such a report, and
under date of May g. 1908, furnished
copy of the cablegram received from
Ambassador Mccormick at ST. Peters
burg. 1t is as follows:
"It is authoritatively denied that
there is any want or suffering among
Jews in southwestern Russia, and aid
of any kind is unnecessary. While the
offer and spirit in which it is made is
appreciated, it is gratefully declined
1T will be observed that contrary 10
newspaper reports, the Russian gov
eminent does not deny the outrageS
perpetrated. 1t is further to be remem-
bered that there has been published an
official report of the massacre by the
Russian authorities, according to which
it was of the most serious nature.
Moreover. we must not overlook the or
der of the Car to his officers to SUI
press and punish any outbreaks against
the Jews.
1T may be that the government at st.
Petersburg has been misirformcd as to
the events and situation in BessarDa-
ria. 1t is neither fair nor wise to exc
crate the government of Russia be
cause of the murderous brutality of q
fren2icG mob.
THE situation demands permanent as
we'll as immediate relief. Let us be
careful not to render the latter impos-
sblc.
THE certain result of the unsettled
state Of affairs in southwestern Russia
will be increased immigration of Jews
to the United States.
"All of the Jews in Russia, however,
cannot or will not emigratc. Their sta
tus there will always present a grave
problem. Their fate will depend finally
apon the ruler of the Russian empire
10 his sense Of justice and to the hu-
name spirit which he has so often man
Tested, the Jews must look for protec-
ton when ignorance, prejudice and
laWlrssnCsS assail them.
"In the prevailing excitement let us
preserve our calm, keeping in mind tn"
future as well as the present. Let us
do nothing and say nothing that will
cut us off from the right to make
Gignificd and manly appeal in the name
of humanity to the dignity and man
hood of The Gar. When the eNccutiV"
committee Of the order conVenes. this
summer, such an appeal will be consid-
cred. together With plans for having it
endorsed by the general public and
properly presented
"Fraternally yours.
Leo. n. Levi. President"
The following officers were elected:
President, Jacob Il. Klein of Bridge
port first vice president, Charles Hart
man of New York; second vice prcsi-
dent. Adam Wcincr of New York; sec
rotary. S. Hamburger of New York;
treasurer, solomon SulZberger of New
York.