The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-05-24
NOT ALLOWED TO BUY LAND.
why the Jews Do Not Become Agricul-
turists I'm Russia.
Washington Post.

washington rust
DIR. II. NJ. Cohen. late captain in the Vol
unteer Medical Corps OF the Army. and who
has recently returned from the philippines,
Is well informed as to conditions in Russia
He combatS some OF the statements mace
by Count CaSSini.
.sThe claim set forth by the Russian am
bassador." said Dr. Cohen, last evening
that the real cause for the recent outrages
at Kishenef can be found in the fact that
the Jews will not work in the fields or en-
gage in agriculture, certainly cannot bear
substantiation. Any one conversant with the
facts can tell you that the Jews in Russia
are not permitted to buy land, nor are they
allowed to live on sites suitable for agri-
cultural purposes. That typically Russian
institution, the Ghetto, is made the limit of
the prosecuted Jews field Of labor. The gov
eminent confines him to this most con-
= aested and filthy portion of the towns and
CITIES, and takes from him the right to buy
- cultivate land. How can he, under such
restrictions. become farmer? That the
Russian Jew, under proper condition, can
engage successfully In agriculture is evil
denced by many instances on our own free
shores. The colony of former Russian Jews
recently established in New Jersey, demon
strates that they can and will till the land
II permitted TO do So
Many former Russian Jews scattered
over the entire country as successful farm
ers clearly proves that If given the oppor-
tunity, they may become good agrieuitur-
lists.
Nor can the Russian Jew be accused of
being entirely a money lender. The fact of
the matter Is that only an enthusiastically
small proportion engage in that business.
THE average Russian peasant farmer
brings his products into town, and as soon
as ne disposes of them, proceeds to ex-
change his hard-earned 'rubles for an ex-
cess OF votka or vile Russian liquor. After
his debauch he returns TO his family with
bad head and none of the necessaries for
his wife and children, and none of the i'm
PIGMENTS so much needed on the farm. He
soon hunts up some Jew who, perhaps, as
result of his industry. has been able to &C
emulate small sum, and asks for loan.
With this he pays his hands and gets his
plot of land in condition for a good crop.
Wien The harvest is at an end and he
again takes his products into town. and
having disposed OF them repeats his former
debauch, and once more appeals TO the ac-
cormodating Jew for loan.
The Jew. If he has the money to spare.
cannot refuse. as he is met by the argument
that, unless the farmer can bring out an
other crop. the original loan cannot be re-
paid, and so the Russian becomes hope
lessly In debt TO the Jew.
'"rhen. perhaps. arrives the Russian East
er- The bigoted portion OF the clergy, hav-
ing gathered together In the church his
feelings and passions of the ignorant listen
ers TO the utmost, and having finally
reached the climax, he exclaims. And so
have they crucided your Christ, and so go
We and cruelty them. The inflamed mob
makes rush for the exit of the church,
ready and eager to follow out the command
or their pastor. But, fortunately, the cler-
gyman at this point stops them, and calls
out. Turn back, turn back We must for
give them. for Christ has commanded it,
Or perhaps some one starts rumor of the
old 'blood-service' canard- In all this the de-
bauched and impoverished peasant recog-
nizes his opportunity to wipe out his in
debtedness TO his Jew banker How well he
takes advantage of this is only recent his
tory. Blood, once tasted by the Russian
peasant. as with the Russian wolf makes
him for more, and. thanks to the ac-
quiescence OF the authorities, keeps the hor-
rible work up until he thoroughly satiates
himself.
Count Cassni admits there are good
Jews. There are, doubt, good Russians
and Ii Is TO this class that the world must
look To change the heart of Russia.