The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-05-18
APPEAL To RUSSIA
SHOULD BE MADE ON BEHALF OF
THE JEWS.
PRESIDENT OF B'NAI BIRTH
SAYS DENUNCIATTONS SHOULD NOT
BE EMPLOYED.

to Heed Else Than an Appeal.
CrueIties Will BE Followed by
Greater Immigration to the
United states-B'Nai FIRTH APP
peaIed to to De Prepared to Aid
the Russian jews who Come to
This Country for safety.
New Haven. Conn, May 17.-During
the days proceedings at the annual
convention of District No. /, Independ-
ent Order of BNai Birth, subscrip-
tions were called for to aid the Kischi-
neff (Russia) sufferers, and more than
81, 900 was secured among the delegates,
about 40 of whom were present.
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 Kischineff affair. The
statement from President Levi was as
follows:
1.-THE recent massacre of Jews at I<is-
chineff has aroused great excitement,
and as usual when eXcitment prevail
ed errors of lasting influence are like
ly to be committed. To the end that
the B'Nai Birth, the great worldwide
permanent representative Jewish or
ganization may not be hereafter em-
barrassed or crippled in it's usefulness,
by mistakes in this crisis, beg through
you to lay before the subordinate
lodges the following facts and consid-
erations:
Applied for "a Report.
when the massacre was first report
ed the Executive Committee, through
one of it's members, Hon. Samuel Wolf,
applied to our government for an OIL
cial report of the reported event, con-
tanning list of victims, statement of
the relief required and the manner in
which it could be afforded without
giving offense to Russia. The Secre-
tary of State cabled for such report
and under date of May 8, 1903, fur
nished a copy of the eSblegram re-
ceived from Ambassador Mccormick at
St Petersburg. 1t is as follows:
ut is authoritativeIy 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
ut will be observed that contrary to
newspaper reports, the Russian govern
ment does not deny the outrages perpe-
| trated 1t is further to he remember
ed that there has been published an Of
| fetal 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 sup
press and punish any outbreaks against
the Jews.
Government May Not COndOne.
ut may be that the government at
st. Petersburg has been misinformed as
to the events and situation in Bessa-
rabia, but after making all allowances
for the Russian view of Jewish sub
jects 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 execrate
the government of Russia because of
the murderous brutality of frenzied
mob. Russia is powerful enough to
treat with disdain any criticisms that
are directed against her. She is not
likely to treat with consideration any
appeal for justice when it Is coupled
with denunciation.
1.-THE situation demands permanent
as we'll as immediate relief. Let us be
careful not to render the latter impos-
sible.
IF the Russian authorities at ST.
Petersburg are misinformed. the imme-
date relief required by the sufferers
will be supplied from funds already
provided and now being raised by other
organizations, committees and individ-
uals Each member of the order as
an individual will determine for him
self whether and how much to con-.
tribute in that direction.
VIII Increase Immigration.
"The certain result of the unsettled
state of affairs in Southwestern Rus
STA will be increased immigration of
Jews to the United States. To aid
them into independence along lines now
recognized as thoroughly practical will
be the task of the order as long as that
immigration continues. 1t probably
will be for years. The lodges should
consider gravely this aspect of the
problem, and in addition to strengthen
ing the hands of the Executive Com
mittee by giving it moral support, they
should raise money to be used locary
for the relief of refugees who may
come or be sent to their respective To-
calities.
Gan of the Jews in Russia. however.
cannot or will not emigrate. Their
status there will always present. 4.
grave problem. They will depend final
ly on the ruler of the Russian Empire
To his sense of justice and to the hui
name spirit which he has so often man
ifested, the Jews must look for pro-
lection, when ignorance, prejudice and
lawlessness assail them.
''In the prevailing excitement let us
preserve our calm, keeping in mind
the future, as well as the present. Let
us do nothing and say nothing that
will cut us off from the right to make
a dignifed and manly appeal In the
name Of humanity to the dignity and
manhood Of the Car. When the Exec
utive Committee of the order convanes
this summer. such an appeal will be
considered. together with plans for
having It Endorsed by the general pub
lie and properly presented. Fraternal-
ly yours, Leo N. Levi. President"
MANY AppEAf E0p