The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-05-23
AID FROM MONTGOMERY
SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR SUFFERERS
 OF KICHENEFF.
Rabbi Messing of Temple .Beth-or | Talks Interestingly of Condi- ' tions in Russia-Delighted V ith Response to Call.

The Jewish sufferers of the massacres at Kichneff have received liberal aid from Montgomery.
 All of this week soliciting committees have been at work and while the exact figures of the subscriptions cannot be se- cured 1t is understood that the Mont gomery Hebrews have done admirably for their stricken brethren.
 When seen last night. Rabbi A. J.. Messing of Kahl Montgomery said:
 ''The Jewish citizens of Montgomery responded nobly to the cry of their op- pressed brethren in far-of Bessarabia. The soliciting committee has not by any means finished its laboIs, but the results thus far indicate that the contribution from Montgomery will be as large, il not larger than that from any c.ty Of the same size in the country.
 The Relief Committee has made rigid practice not to solicit from any but Jews; yet 1t has been great surprise and delight to note the liberal way in which those of other creeds are volun- tarily sending in their subscriptions to the cause.
 The atrocieies at Kicheneff seem to have touched the common heart of Chris tendon with pity and compassion. Who knows but that this awakened conscience may lead to mighty protest. which shall be the beg ming of the end of Rus sian brutality?"
 In reference to the probable influx of Russian Jews to America ss a result of the massacres, Rabbi Messing said:
 Imperial ukases In Russia of August p and October 19. 1881. restricted the Jews right of residence to the town of the so-called Pale of Settlement and so pro- duced a pale within pale. The eGicts also prohibited the right to hold land and limited the number of Jewish stu dents in the colleges and universities. The fanatic population showed full per ception of the intention of the Govern ment. Serious riots were of daily occur renee during 1ss3 and 1884. Even as late as 1892 they were so numerous as to cause President Harrison in his message to Congress to speak of the concern ere ated In the United States by these con- ditions. Just as in 1881 and 1882 a vast migratory movement of world propor- tions was inaugurated by the victims of Slavic intolerance. So today I look for the same result from the present out ages. The Jews of America took care of vast hordes of Russian refugees twen- ty' years ago without asking assistance from outside sources; they will do the same today
 Speaking of the explanation given by Count Cassini. Russian Ambassador to the United State. of the massacres, Dr. Rabbi Ressing said:
 'The Ambassador at Washington as- cribes the present outrag ges to the strain ed relations between what he terms peas ants and money lenders. He also ayers that were the Hebrews an agricultural people the Kicheneff atrocities would never have occurred.
 Tn 1Si0, the Jews of Bessarabia, com posing II per cent of the entire popula- tion. applied to the Government for large tracts of land suitable for the founding of a model agricultural colony, purposing to pay due attention to all kinds of agri- cultural industries. The Government, act ing through General Feodorov, denied the petition on the ground that the laws of Russia prohibited Jews from acquiring unoccupied land. The proposed plan, therefore. was never realized.
 When the Russian Ambassador charges the Russian Hebrews with a disinclina- tion to agricultural pursuits, In the face of the fact that his Government denies them the privilege of engaging in such Industries. We are confronted with the old conditions of hard-hearted Pharaohs g command to make bricks without straws."
 Tt should be borne in mind' continued hapDl Messing, that Hebrews are not the only victims of oppression in the ter irotries of the Czar. Russia is Greek Catholic in religion. and all men of Pro- testant denominations. such as the Chris tian Standists, the Doukhobors, who have found refuge in Canada and the Dako- tas the partisans of such a liberal spirit as that represented by Count Tolstoi, as well as Roman Catholics and Jews form one brotherhood of sorrow. whose blood cries aloud from the ground. Russia has crushed the freedom-loving Films, and, even at this moment, the minions of the Czar are overrunning the plains of Manchuria.
 Tt is a battle between freedom and oppression, between liberty in republican forms and monarchy entrenched in the power of ancient fraud. It is a struggle between mcdiaevalism and modern ideals,