The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-05-19
CITY NEWS.
BAND BOYS TO HELP.
Journal Newsboys' Band to Give
Benefit for Kishinef Massacre
Survivors.
Max Kohen, Who Formerly Resided
at Kishinef, Explains Condi-
tions There.

An important contribution toward the
local fund for the relief of the survivors
of the recent Jewish massacre at Kish-
inef, Russia. will be the proceeds from
a concert given by The Journal Newsboys'
band on Sunday afternoon, May 81, at the
Lyceum theater. The band has always
included in its number many boys of He
brew extraction who have been among the
best musicians In the organization. When
the startling news came from Russia, to-
gether with the word that thousands were
left homeless and starving, these members
of the band Immediately conceived the
Idea Of doing something to assist the
work of relief. The other members of the
organization readily agreed to this prop
0sition and the representatives of the re-
lief committee of Minneapolis Hebrews
gave the plan their warmest approval. A
similar Endorsement was quickly forth
coming from the management of the Ly
ceun theater, which agreed to give the
use Of the theater on the afternoon de-
sired at a figure which is equivalent to
q substantial contribution to the cause.
An elaborate program will be presented
and the old time popularity of the band.
together with the peculiarly urgent neces-
sites of the cause, will insure a crowded
house. In addition to the band numbers
there will be vocal solos and other special
features which will soon be announced by
Professor G.. c. Heintzemann, director Of
the band
The officers of the Hebrew relief com
mittee have given this concert their most
cordial approval and will cooperate with
the boys iE the sale of tickets. OF this
committee Rev. s. N Deinard is chair
man. Rabbi SLIDER treasurer and Meyer
Bank secretary.
Former Resident Of kishinef.
One Of the most energetic workers for
the success Of this benefit is Max Kohen
Of 227 We shirrfon a. IL iS :
culfarly interested in this affair because
until he was II years of age he was a
resident Of the very district recently the
scene Of the atrocities. His father oper-
ated large tobacco plantation in the
province Of Bessarabia until forced by
severe anti-Semitic laws to surrender his
holdings and come to this country.
The Jews Of that province are good
workers and would gladly be farmers if
the Russians would only let Them said
Mr.. Kohen this morning There were
many of them near Kishinef situated as
was my father and successfully operating
farms. Then laws were passed prohibit
ing any Jew from owning land within
fifty miles of frontier and also prohib-
tting any Hebrew from living in any town
OF less than a certain number of inhabi-
tants. This forced the Jews to give up
their land at any sacrifice and to be-
come residents Of the larger towns, where
IIiGS were oOllSeu 10 go INTO business, as
that was the only thing left open to them.
would not want any Better neighbors
than the ordinary Russian peasants with
Whom came in contact during my boy
hood on the plantation.
THE trouble back of this recent mas
sacre, however, originated in revolving
crime unjustly charged to the Jews A
large estate had been left to several Cen
tile heirs to be divided only when the
youngest, boy of Is, should come of
age. From a Jewish newspaper learn
that this boy was deliberately murdered
by some Of the other heirs in order that
they might not have to wait six years for
their share of the money. This crime was
committed 5ust about the time of the
Jewish Passover and the murderers de-
Hberately circulated the report that the
boy had been killed by the Hebrews as a
sacrifice for their feast. This report was
later officially disproved but among the
ignorant. populace it was generally be-
l1eved and was taken advantage of by
the anti-Semitics as a pretext for in
flaming the populace to bloodshed"