Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-11-04
RELIEF FOR THE. JEWS
Significance Of a Recent Dis
patch From Berlin.
NEW LOAN TO RUSSIA
IT MEANS THE ABOLITION OF
SOME RESTRICTIONS.
Oppression Under the Government Of
the CART is Believed That Pledges
of Reform Have Been Given.
By WILLIAM E. CURTIS.

By WILLIAM E. CURTIS.
Written for The Evening Star and Chicago Record
Herald.
A recent dispatch from Berlin tells us
that Herr Ernst Won Mendelssohn, an
eminent Jewish banker of that city, has
had audience with the car and that it is
generally understood that he signed a
contract for a loan of $27O. OOO. 900 to the
Russian government. which rs guaran-
teed by the Rothschilds. but will not be
fioated until January or February of next
year.
The dispatch means very little, or else
1t means a great deal And, il it is true.
the Russian government has CHANGED to
make very important notifications in the
restrictions now imposed upon Jewish
subjects. Diplomatists and financiers have
been confidently expecting an announce
ment that changes in the Russian policy
had been ordered. but it was supposed
that such an announcement would pre-
cede the negotiation Of loan.
Concessions to the Jews.
1t has been thoroughly understood in
every banking house in Europe and
finances Of Europe would not permit the
was willing to treat their brethren like
the rest Of mankind. The whole Jewish
world has been alert to every incident Of
the war with Japan. because 1t believes
that the consequences must be Of vital
Importance to 1t. 1t realizes, like every
one else, that Russia's endurance and,
success is largely a question OF finance
and that sooner or later she wiz be COM
PEELED to make concessions in order to.
borrow the funds necessary to carry on
the conflict.
1t is easy for both Japan and Russia to
issue paper money to meet all obligations
bought outside their territorial limits
must be paid for in gold. 1t has been
known that the Russian war chest was
being rapidly exhausted and that the
government would be compelled to appeal
for financial assistance abroad. The
French people, under the influence of the
French government, have provided the
car with money up to this time, but the
his credit, and his financiers have been
compelled to look elsewhere They have
tried the bankers Of London, Berlin,
Frankfort. Vienna. and other money CEN
ters Of Europe, and have sent agents to
New York to sound American bankers,
without receiving any encouragement.
Everywhere they have met with the same
reception and have been notified that
Russia could not borrow dollar as long
as she prosecuted the Jews. Their only
hope was in the personal influence of the
German kaiser. If he could be induced to
intervene and persuade the Jewish bank
erS Of Europe to make loan the neceSsi-t
ties of Russia might be relieved, and that
probably has occurred But 1t may be &C
cepted as absolutely certain that reforms
In the laws Of Russia affecting the Jew
tsh, population have been promised If
they have not actually been ordered.
The Gear Seeks Information.
When the war broke out the Russian peo-
pie were astonshed at the rapid develop
ment of public sentiment in the United
States. Sympathy with Japan seemed al
most universal. The only friends they
found were those who had business or per-
not understand it. Russia had been an
hereditary friend and ally Of the United
States. She had stood by us when we were
In trouble, and expected that we would
stand by her under similar circumstances.
Hence he sent Prince Ukthomsky, per-
sonal friend, the president of the Russo,
Chinese Bank and proprietor of one of the
leading newspapers of st. Petersburg to
this country to ascertain the cause of hos
tility toward Russia and the sympathy for
Japan. The prince spent several months
was followed by M. Leroy Beaulieu, a
French statesman and historian. who has
intimate relation with Russia and has writ
ten history of the Russian empire. He
made an extended tour and is supposed to
have gathered much important information
Mr.. Routkowsky the financial agent of
Russia In the United States. was recalled
and replaced by Gregory Vilenkine an able
and charming young gentleman one of the
richest Jewish citizens of Russia, and con-
nected by marriage with one of the most
influential Jewish banking families in New
York. London and Frankfort Mr. Vilen-
kline has the honor of being the first Jew
ever appointed to a diplomatic position by
the Russian government, and the sgnif-
cance of his selection just at this time was
fully appreciated by the Jewish bankers of
Europe, as well as these in the United
States. Mr.. Vilenkine and his family are
said to be Orthodox Jews of the strietest
sect, enjoying the full confidence of the
Russian government and of every one who
knows them. He appeared in New York
early In the fall and. of course. was cordial
ly received by Jewish society. He had fire.
4uent and familiar conferences with many
of the prominent members of his race and
he. too, obtained great deal of important
Information, which was the same. as that
obtained by Prince Ukthomsky and NJ Lee
roy Beaulieu. The car no longer wonders
why the American people are unfriendly to
Russia He understands that the sympathy
of this republic can be expected by no ma
ton that permits such barbarities as the
massacre at Kishineff and the other perse-
cutlons and massacres of unoffending Jews.
The Gear Informed.
There has recently been published a little
volume entitled 1.-The Voice Of America on
Kishinefr." being compilation of public
addresses, sermons, resolutions of conven-
lions ana Otner aSSemDlageS, newspaper
editorials, magazine articles and other ex-
pressions of public and private sentiment
by the people of the United States regard
ing recent atrocities committed upon the
Jews In Russia. 1t was complied and
edited by DR.. Cyrus Adler of the Smith
sonian Institution. 1t also contains briefs
of the protest meetings held In seventy-two
American cities and a copy of the petition
from the people Of the United States asking
the emperor to prevent further religious
prosecutions. You will remember that the
car refused to receive the petition 1t was
never offered him officially, but In order
that he might know Its contents before he
decided to receive it or not, the entire text
was transmitted to our embassy in st.
Petersburg. in telegram written by the
Presidents own hand. instructing our
charge to inquire informally whether his
imperial majesty the Emperor of Russia
would receive such respectful petition re-
lating to the persecution of the Jews. The
minister Of foreign relations at st. Peters
burg replied that his majesty could not
receive 1t formally, but he had read it all
the same, and that alone ought to have
made 1t clear to him why the Russians
have not received any support or sympathy
from this direction during the war with
Tor