Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-25
Jews Were Disarned,

The police then undertook to disarm the
Jews. Forty building laborers collected in
the busiest part of Roumianzovskaya street
and stopped and beat every passing Jew.
This gang was encouraged by Assistant
Police Captain Charnolonsky and Rural
Police Commander Yelensky.
The gang dubbed Berg Keyesh to death
in the presence Of these officers and after
the victim had been removed to the hos
pital the officers continued an amicabIe
conversation with the murderers none OF
whom was arrested. The Jews rallied in
force at Konnaya Square at o'clock in
the afternoon, when the military fired on
them, killing three and wounding others
Presumably ON the governors instruc-
tons the military employed their firearms
against the pogromshiks in the eau
casus," killing three. This action and niKht-
fall put an end to the pogrom.
-Four hundred peasants arrived in Gomel
early the following day CTuesday). but
were easily driven away by the military
A few houses were pillaged that day and
two more on Wednesday. after which no
disorders occurred until September 49, when
fruit gardener named Zvagelsky was bar
borously slaughtered by thieves Other
Jews killed were Piatelsky. murdered by
peasants in the village of Verouimo. five
miles distant. where he had taken refuge
with his wife. who has become insane. and
in Gomel itself Davidoff. Kevesh, Leikin
and Elpern dubbed to death by the mill
tary or the mob. and Kagansky and Ober-
man. shot and baypneted. Sixty-four Jews
were registered as wounded. and probably
forty others left the city without being reg
istered. 4.4 -.
Thousands Fleeing.
During the week following the riots all
the trains leaving the city were crowded
with thousand Jewish families. The
Christian dead numbered five Of whom the
troops shot three. Ten Christians are re-
corded as wounded.
The Jewish committee claims to be able
to identify nfnetY-five .pogromshiks, but
only about twenty-five Christians have been
arrested. including one telegraph official
Over fifty Jews were arrested for carving
weapons or conspiring against the police.
The Associated Press correspondent visit
ed the devastated districts. which embrace
about a third of the city. The victims all
told the same tale of an alliance between
the pogromshiks and the authorities. and
complained that the latter had not inyestf-
gated their losses. In two synagogues the
windows were smashed and the holy scrolls
torn up. A rich merchant had his safe RI
ned and lost his piano. money and all NOV
ables. The victims. however. were mainly
poor people. They accuse a large number
of military and civil officials. including a
Judge and a priest. of aiding and abetting
the plunderers by encouraging the rioters or
ordering the police and military to club and
bayonet the Jews. On the other hand
scores OF Christians. many of them promi-
nent citizens did their best to protect and
hide the Jewish refugees.
Fears are expressed that the coming mar
ket days. September 81 and %, NAV wit
ent attitude of the military Is disquieting,
Last night the soldiers playfully clicked
their rifles at Jewish woman and then
laughed boisterously at their fright.