The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-15
RUSSIAN JEW QUESTION
ALMOST INCREDIBLE SITUATION RE
PORTED IN CzAR's COUNTRY.
Jewish Wards OF Government Suffer-
ing from Cold, Starvation and
Persecution.

ST. PETERSBURG, Feb S.-Horrible n
the news from the territorial ghetto. known
as the Settlement District, whittier, several
years ago. the Russian government sent all
Jews not possessed OF city real estate or
established commercial institutions. The
people Were dumped there TO starve: such
is the plain truth, as read between the lines
of the governments own organs.
The government orders its Hebrew wards
TO repair TO the several miserable towns
set aside for their reception; to attempt 10
go TO the villages or farms means knout OF
Siberia. These towns are under military
rule, all the officials are army officers. rele-
gated TO these undesirable garrisons for
some fault crime; for to be sent TO the
ghetto settlement is punishment few self
respecting officers care TO incur.
Excluded from agricultural pursuits, the
Jews were told that, on account OF their
religion they must not expect 10 be en-
ployed on public works or to compete with
others for government contracts. To en-
gage in craftsmanship is also against the rule:
they must not be tailors. shoemakefs. ma
sons or goldsmiths; they must not be serv-
ants; they must not dig the ground even for
a Christian master.
forbids them to eat any but kocher meat.
But as their only prospective customers.
their brothers in faith. have not the means
to buy meat what use was there in estab-
fishing butcheries? Rum-sellers they may
be, too-rum is one OF the chief sources OF
revenue to the Russian state-but Chris
tians were forbidden to buy Of them. and
Jews do not drink-even IL they have the
money.
Those possessed of funds were permitted
TO open small hanks. after depositing a
fortune with the Governor-who might
drink 1t up, or gamble it away. at his own
sweet pleasure-for the Jew has no right to
ask a receipt from Russian noble
Thus 1t came to pass that the Settlement
District gradually changed into a large
Jewish cemetery-cemetery Of hope and
ambition at first. The winter about to
close made IL charnel house as well.
THE WINTERS FAMINE.
Since November last over 5000 Jewish
wards of the Russian government deported
to the Settlement District have died Of hun
ger and frost Occasionally, when their
situation found an echo in the foreign
press. the government dispatched few
carloads of flour for their beneht. Then
some 30 per cent. of the Jewish wards got a
bellyfull once or twice. while the rest were
ordered to stop their clamor lest they fore
go all right to government aid.
The disappointed majority waited with
lamblike patience and when the next relief
train arrived got several pieces of wood
| each The government had decided to
warm its wards inside as well as out. but
not simultaneously. While 20 per cent
were fed 70 per cent. starved and froze.
And at the next turn the hungering 70 per
| cent. got firewood. but nothing for their
pots. I'm two weeks there will be -four
flour for the frozen 90 per cent. and MOTH
| ing for the half-frozen and wholly starved
| 20 per cent.
| Such are Russian government methods In
| dealing with a people IT DISTINGUISHED and
| drove from their homes for their religions
sake
| Here is an extract from the Government
| Gazette of Kovenskija:
THE Jews of the settlement districts
| continue to evade the laws framed for their
special benefit, some by making a virtue
of the prevailing cold. which allows them
| and their children to die of frost. others
| by dying of hunger. owing to lack of work"
The Official Gazette of the government
| of Kovna says in an extraordinary edi-
tion printed by authority"
1.-THE committee organized to aid the
starving Jews in the Settlement District ia
unable to act on account of lack OF funds.
though his Excelency, the Governor. Is
straining every point to help the people
| The committee, therefore. appeals TO all
! subjects OF the government OF Kovna to
send money and warm clothing without
delay, the lives of thousands and again
| thousands are threatened. Indeed, the He
brews in the Settlement District are dying
like flies from hunger and frost. Succoi
must be swift to be of use"
Wilma paper. the title of which in Eng
lish is Northwest" sent correspondent
to the settlement district. He wires as
| follows:
CRY FOR BREAD.
| wherever 1 go I am followed by the
| cry for bread. / started out with a wagon
| full at 6 this morning and at had not q
morsel left, though 1 gave only to women
and children. protecting my goods with
drawn pistol.
"All the money I had IL gone and I was
obliged to send this telegram collect Wire
| more at once, or / will have TO pawn my
| watch to get out OF this cursed country.
| At any rate, will not proceed in my In
vestigations unless you give me the means
to appease the hungry crowds meet
everywhere. Babies die like flies all
through the stricken districts, and rich
foreign Jews organized special babies re-
lief corps. which distribute food that serves
| as a substitute for mothers milk. camp
lazarettos will be established when the
weather permits
"A healthy man who was carrying away
| his sick wife on his back said: If you can
| promise me, surely promise me. one meal
won't complain. and you may kill me when
| it's over This was sad enough but the
silent scenes. witnessed at the passing OF
the children. rent my heart. May the Lord
grant that the recollection may be effaced
from my mind. Deathly pale. expression
less. apathetic faces. Mortified faces. So
weak were these little ones that they can
| not keep up their heads.
MANY commit petty crimes I'm the hope
of securing a berth in jail. but the au-
! thorities are too wary 10 feed unoidden
mouths and refuse to accept their pleas.
Excluded from industry and artisanship.
from public works and even from the right
to till the soil, IL looks IL these Jews
were foredoomed 10 die OF starvation ere
| they foot into the district