Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-11-11
The Beiliss Verdict.

II i a matter for regret that the jury
in the Beiliss case at kiev. Russia. did
not render completely generating YER
diet az the close of the ritual murder
trial that has been profoundly interest
ing the civilized word for some time
past As far as the defendant himself
Is concerned the verdict is complete
acquittal. but the jury III answering the
questions categorically put by the court
declared that the slain boy was subject
ed to a peculiar blood-letting process
before being actually dispatched and that
the crime was committed IN a bric.lyard
owned and worked oy Jews Thus the
effect of the verdict. While freeing Bel
llss himself from responsibility. is to
charge the crime upon religionfsts and
fears are reasonably felt that this will
lead to demonstrations against the Jews
which may cost heavily in human lives
before they are suppressed.
There is reason to believe that no
substantial ground existed To-, any
charge whatsoever against the Jewish
people IL this case. Such testimony as
could be accepted as unintiuenced by Ill
terror motives by official pressure
pointed to what may be STYLED an ordi-
nary crime notwithstanding the unusual
character of the wounds inflicted. One
commentator. writing on the basis of
supposed frst-hand knowledge OF the
situation. alleges that the case had been
investigated and practically cleared up
completely by police agents when the
suggestion was made that 1t be utilized
to turn suspicion upon the Jews of Kiev
70,
anti-Jewish people Of that community,
In which religious hatreds are fierce. Ac-
cording to tais account all police officials
who had participated in the initial in
vestigation We're ordered to other posts
and new ones were put on the case with
the result of Beiliss' accusation. fortified
by a mass of apparently convicting
proof. The Indignation manifested in
this and other countries unquestionably
had an effect in Russia. 1t became APP
parent at once that this case could not
be fastened to the conclusion of Bellies
punishment without drawing upon that
country the condemnation of the civil
liked world That the verdict just rem
dered was due to respect for internd-
t'onal public opinion is apparent
No person not touched by fanatical
hatred believes that such practices as
We're alleged in the kiev case prevail
among the Jews. There are undoubtedly
instances OF deSeneracy. and crimes are
doubtless committed by persons who are
mentally unbalanced on religious ques-
tons, but this is not peculiar to one re-
ligion or another. 1t is a universal phe-
nomenon. Fortunately infrequent, and by
no means to be accepted as character
istic of any sect or people. Indeed. the
Jewish people on the contrary pc
culiarly law oding and subordinate to
government and regulation. They have
suffered centuries Of oppression with
patience that is one of the marveIs of
civilization. In Russia particularly have
they endured tyranny and repression
and persecution. with an amazing forti-
tude and steadfastness and restraint.
IL is the prayer of their friends that in
this situation they may be spared from
outbreaks and outrages and that the
Russian government. alive TO the sim
certify and earnestncss of the sympathy
which is felt elsewhere for its Jewish
subjects. viii take every possible pre-
caution TO protect them in their help
lessness,