Arizona republican., 1903-05-22
Russian Oppression of the Jews.

The reports of the massacres of Jews by the Russians at Kishineff, Bessara- bia, have shocked the civilized world. As was to be expected, the Russian government seeks to minimize the ex- tent of the outrages, but unfortunately the sickenng stories have been toe well substantiated for disbelief. To the off, cial application made by the United States government for the admission of relief funds for the benefit of the suf ferers, the czar's government replied that there was no such suffering as had been reported, and no occasion for re- lief. Count Cassini. the Russian am- bassador ar Washington. while at- tempting to put the best face possible on the situation, virtually admits the truth of the reports in these words:
 T am sure that the reports have been grossly exaggerated. The most drastic measures have been taken by the Rus sian government to prevent repetitions of the troubles, and the government all ways has done all that is possible to prevent them. The governors of prov inces have been ordered to exert them selves to the utmost to preserve order. and have been informed that they will be held responsible for the peace of their provinces. The guilty, as appre- hended. win be dealt with to the full extent of the law"
 And an Associated Press dispatch from St. Petersburg-duly censored by the Russian government, of course says that "the majority of the persons arrested for taking part in the anti Semitic outrages at Kishineff have been tried and sentenced to varying punish ments." The news would be more sat isfying to the American people if they could have better information as to the nature of the punishment neted out. There Is too much reason to expect that any punishment which the Russian au- thorities may infilct will be merely nominal. The present czar is probably the most enlightened ruler Russia evr had. but contrary to popular belief, he is not as powerful as the bureaucracy which rules in his name. And official Russian the provinces, at least-is about what it was in the days of Peter
 
 the throne he began by granting some liberties to the Jews-permission to buy land in certain localities. and other concessions which the persecuted race had not dreamed of. But the bureau crats were sullenly opposed to the czar's liberal tendencies, and have done all they could to thwart his reforms. And the masses, of course, required merely a nod from petty officials in order to break out in riots against the hated Jew.
 In reply to Count Cassini's state ments. Jewish rabbi of Portland said, on Tuesday:
 As a native of Russia, was an eyewitness of fully twenty-five of these mascacres and riots. and had never yet seen measures taken by the authorities to queu the riots until the Jews were piundered, killed and their wives and daughters outraged before their very eyes. The fact $ that not the Jews ruin the peasant, but the taxes-the severe means by which these taxes are extracted from the peasants by the government, as also the silent taxes (bribes) paid to the Russian pet ty officers and other similar imposi- tions.''
 The American government can, of course. do nothing in the premises. So far as has been ascertained. not one of the victims of the Kishineff massacres was an American, and the administra- tion is barred from interfering official ly. It is gratifying in the extreme, however. to note that the American people Of all races and creeds are re- spending with heartfelt liberality to the call for funds. Americans know that in this country the Jew is one of our best citizens, and in times of public calamity and distress the American Jews have been among the first to give substantial help wherever needed. It is most natural, therefore, for the peo- pie of all classes quickly to express their sympathy for the suffering Jews of Russia.
 AS to what may be accomplished by money and protests from this country, Rabbi Joseph Silverman of New York eloquently said few days ago:
 "The nations of the world cannot with impunity look silently upon the barbarous outrages that were recently practlsed in Russia. Mankind must cry out in protest against all such fero- cious onslaughts upon an unoffending people. If there is slavery in any part of the globe. no one is wholly free; and If there are prosecutions, criminal and fanatical, and wanton destruction Of life and property in any part of the world, then no one is safe. Self-preser- vation alone would dictate demon stration of disapproval on the part Of America, England and other free na-