The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-05-19
CASSINI SAYS THE
JEWS ARE TO BLAME
Russian Ambassador Discusses
the Kishineff Trouble
TOO MUCH MONEY LENDING
He Says They Finally Wreck the Peas
ants Financially, and This Causes
the utbreaks-Upright Jews
Honored and Respected.

Washington, May 1s.-Count Cassini, the
Russian ambassador in a conversation to-
day with a representative Of the Asso-
ciated Press relative to the Jewish trou-
BILE in Russia said: There Is in Russia,
as in Germany and Austria, feeling
against certain of the Jews. The reason
for this unfriendly attitude is found in
the fact that the Jews will not work in
the field or engage In agriculture. They
prefer to be money lenders. Give a Jew
couple of dollars and he becomes a
banker and money broker. In this capaci-
ty he takes advantage OF the Russian
peasant, whom he soon has in his power,
and ultimately destroys 1t is when the
patience of the peasants is exhausted that
conflict between peasants and Jews &C.
ours. Ordinarily the Russian is very
patient man, but 1t is only natural that he
should entertain a feeling of resentment
for one who has wrought his ruin.
Nicholas Tried to Help Them.
Emperor Nicholas sought to help the
Jews by ordering the establishment of ag-
ricultural colonies in southern Russia,
hoping to induce the Jews to engage in
agricultural pursuits instead of money
lending, but the effort was not success
full, nor have other projects In the jew
ish states been successful. The situa-
ton In Russia, so far as the Jews are
concerned, Is this: 1t is the peasant
money lender and not the Russians
against the Jews. There is no feeling
against the Jew in Russia because of
religion. 1t Is as 1 have said-the Jew
ruins the PEASANTS with the result that
conflicts occur when the latter have
lost all their worldly possessions ana
have nothing to live upon
There are many good Jews and
they are respected. Jews are generally
appreciated In Russia, and the Jewish
artist Is honored. Jews also appear In
the financial world in Russia.
Way for Diplomatic Action.
1.-THE brief cablegram from ST. Peters,
burg this morning might open the way
Tor diplomatic action on the part of the
United States In this matter That state
ment said the Russian government had
forbidden the Jews to arm to defend
themselves with a deliberate purpose of
forcing them to immigrate to the United
States. for nowhere in Europe could they
find refuge. Such action would be similar
to that taken by the Roumanian gov
eminent when the state department laid
down the doctrine that the dumping of
hordes of emigrants likely to prove pau
pers upon our shores was obnoxious to
the United States.
1T is not known whether further in
structions have been sent to our embassy
at ST. Petersburg. So far the department
has before 1t only newspaper clippings
describing the Kishineff messages, and 1t
scarcely feels authorized to move upon
that basis, even If 1t had the power to
do so. Admitting a desire to investigate
in disregard of the formal assurance of
the Russian government to Ambassador
Mccormick, the department probably
would have to content itself with the
sworn statements of refugees from Kish-
ineff.
ITO procure information through the
American embassy or the American con-
suls In Russia probably would render our
diplomatic agents persona non grata in
case they should cast doubt upon official
statements.
Jews Afforded Protection.
THE Russian government affords the
same protection to the Jews that 1t does
to any other of its citizens and when a
riot occurs and Jews are attacked the
officials Immediately take steps to appre-
bend those who began the riot, and visit
severe punishment upon them. In the
past Russians have been punished severe
ly for attacks upon Jews. But notwith-
standing these conflicts the Jews continue
to do the very things which have been
responsible for the troubles which in
volve them"
Continuing the conversation the ambas-
sador says:
THE Russian readily assimilates with
the people of all other races and IL he
cannot assimilate with the Jew 1t is ap-
parent that the fault must lie with the
Jew and not with he Russian"
As to Ministerial Decree,
The ambassadors attention was called
to the statement contained IN press dis
patches from st. Petersburg today that
ministerial decree had been Issued for
bidding the Jews to arm themselves for
their own protection
IT have received no information re-
garding the nature of the decree" he
said, but know that when the facts
are made known 1t will appear differ
emily and will be shown that the decree
does not discriminate against the Jews
The fact that Lieutenant General
Raaben, the governor of Bessarabia has
been called to ST. Petersburg shows con-
clusively that the imperial authorities are
seriously regarding the Kishineff affair
and are taking prompt measures"
Can't Place Responsibility Yet.
Cleveland, O.. May 1S.-At today's con-
ference of the Independent Order of
B Nal B Rith the report of the commit
tee on the Kishineff massacrees set
forth that there was not enough data at
hand to place the responsibility at pres
ent. Although the outrages are deplored,
the best thing to be done at this time,
the committee thinks, is to continue
funds for the relief of the exiles who
may wish to come to the United States.
An expression of gratitude will be sent
to Secretary of State Hay for his interest
In behalf of the Roumanian Jews.
To Sell Thomas School.