Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-16
The Kishinef Horrors.

The statements of a fugitive from the
Inflated Russian town of Kishineff, de-
scribing the anti-Semitic riots which re-
Gently occurred there marked by an afro
cious massacre have aroused public indig-
nation in this country to high pitch, and
contributions are being generously mace IN
all quarters to a fund for the relief of the
stricken Jews Of that place, who, II Is
reported are destitute in consequence Oh
murders and pillaging by the Russian
Christians. Some phases of the massacre
as described by this eyewitness are almost
too horrible for belief. The details of the
slaughter are sickening, yet there Is rea-
son to credit the statements. for they agree
in the main with the general understand
ing of the intense anti-Jewish sentiment
which prevails in some quarters OF Rus
STA.
Diplomatic inquiries instituted by the
State Department through Ambassador
Mccormick at st. Petersburg have re-
suited in polite denial by the Russian
government that the Jews of kishinen are
in need of funds. No word has been
asked and therefore none received on the
score of the riots and massacre. That is
subject which lies at present beyond the
Jurisdiction of this government. No Ameri-
can citizen has been slain. as far as
known. and the affair is not yet within
the sphere of international agitation. Yet
the horrors of K,shneff properly form
subject of worldwide discussion. and they
will contribute heavily to the anti-Russian
sentiment which prevails in certain coun-
tries. 1t is certain that unless the St
% Petersburg authorities take firm hold of
the situation and punish the perpetrators
of the atrocities without favor or discrim-
ination a bitter anti-Russian spirit will be
engendered in the United States.
There is no question in this country of
prejudice for or against the Jews when
such abomina lions are reported. Without
regard for creeds the people unite their
voices in protest. The day for persecution
because of religion has gone. Any govern
ment which will calmly observe the slaugh-
ter of it's people because of their beliefs
and refuse to adopt measures of prevention
and punishment is regarded unfit for
power. In Armenia for many years out
RACES have been perpetrated upon Chris
tians by the Mosems practically at the
instigation of the sultan. and the Christian
powers have raised only a feeble voice in
protest. Today a condition exists in some
parts of the sultan's domains which war
rants united action by all Europe. Yet for
political reasons the governments refrain
from doing that which the people almost
untedly demand.
The practical problem now to be solved
in this Kishneff affair is to relieve those
who. despite the denials of the Russian
government, known to be suffering
from the results of the atrocities. The
widows and orphans, made such by
the butchers. must be succored. Fam
lilies desiring to escape from cruel op-
preston and danger must be aided For
these purposes money is needed, and there
is ample assurance that whatever is given
will be honestly and wisely expended. The
United States has many problems of it's
own to solve and today is embarrassed
by the vast crowd of immigrants who are
knocking for admission. but it will not
refuse in this hour of distress to open its
gates to those for whom the cars gov
ernment apparently affords no protection.