The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-18
Resolutions Adopted Calling on the
Government to Use Its influence
with Russia to End Inhumanities.
CARDINAL GIBBoNs's LETTER
EXPRESSES HORROR AT RECENT
MAssACREs AND PILLAGE.
Status of Affairs In Southeastern Rus
sfa-Jews Have Been Forbidden
to Defend Themselves.

NEW HAVEN, Conn.,, May T.-During
the course of the days proceedings at the
annual convention of the District No. 1. In
dependent Order of Bnai Birth. subscrip-
tions were called Cor to aid the Kischeneff,
Russia, sufferer, md more than $1,000 was
secured among the delegates. President j.
B. Kiien presented to the meeting mes
sage from National President Leo Levi, of
New York, concerning the Kischenen af-
fair. President Levi said
THE recent massacre of Jews at Kische-
neff has aroused great excitement and, as
usual when excitement prevails, errors OF
lasting influence are likely to be commit
ted. To the end that the B'nai Birth,
the great worldwide permanent represent
ative Jewish organization, may not here
after be embarrassed or crippled In Its USE
fulness, by mistakes in this crisis, l beg
through you to lay before the subordinate
lodges the following facts and considera-
ticns;
the executive committee, through one of its
members, Samuel Wolf, applied to our gov
ernment for official representation of
the reported event. containing a list Of VIC
tins, a statement of the relief required and
the manner in which 1T could be afforded
retary of State called for such report,
and under date of May 8, 1903. furnished
copy of the cable received from Ambassa-
dor Mccormick at st. Petersburg. 1t Is as
follows:
1t is authoritatively denied that there
is any want or suffering among Jews in
Russia and md aid sr OF any kind
In which Ii is made is appreciated, II ts
gratefully declined
.It will be observed that. contrary to
newspaper reports, the Russian govern
ment does not deny the outrages perpe-
trated.
"It may be that the government at st.
Petersburg has been misinformed as to
the events and situation in Bessarabia, but
after making all allowances for the Russian
view of her Jewish subjects we must not
conclude that the government itself Is In
sympathy with disorder. rioting, pillage
and murder simply because the victims are
Jews. 1t is neither fair nor wise to ex-
ecrate the government OF Russia because
mob.
''The situation demands permanent as
well as immediate relief Let us be care
full not to render the latter impossible.
IF the Russian authorities at st. Peters
burg misinformed, the immediate re-
lief required by the sufferers will be sup
piled from funds already provided and now
being raised by other organizations, COM
mittees and individuals. Each member Of
the order as an individual will determine
for himself whether and how much to con-
tribute in that direction.
THE certain result of the unsettled state
of affairs in southwestern Russia will be
increased emigration Of Jews to the United
States To aid them to independence along
lines now recognized thoroughly prac-
tical will be the task of the order as long
as that immigration continues. 1t prob
ably will be for years. The lodges should
gravely consider this aspect of the problem
and in addition to strengthening the hands
Of the executive committee by giving 1t
moral support, they should raise money to
be used locally for the relief of refugees
who may come or be sent to their respec-
tive localities.
'Al of the Jews in Russia, however can
not or will not emigrate. Their status
there will always present a grave problem.
Their fate will depend finally on the ruler
of the Russian empire. To his sense of
justice and to the humane spirit which he
has so often manifested the Jews must look
for protection, when ignorance, prejudice
| and lawlessness assail them"