Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-22

Jews in Russia.
might escape From what 1 had heard, life in
the army appeared to me to offer worse time
than any l had yet experienced and looked
forward to it with absolute dread.
But there was way out l said "goodby"
very sorrOwfully to my parents and relations,
and we all wept Fundamentally at parting, be-
cause we did not dare to hope to meet again 1
left the house with feet like lead.
There We're a number Of other young men in
the village in the same plight myself Under
an escort We marched off to the nearest military
headquarters. We were a most unhappy party;
scarcely one Of us had the heart to speak, some
of the Christians seemed even more detected
than l.
On the way I discovered some of the tricks
that were used to escape service. Among our
party were some who had actually starved
themselves for months in the hope that their
emaciation and general weakness would lead
TO their rejection Others had mutilated them
selves by actually cutting off fingers. in order
TO make it impossible for them to handle gun.
These We're the only CHEEKY ones among us.
Many of us lay awake at night crying because
we knew we would not see our friends for the
next five years, and perhaps never again.
The next day were called one by one into
room where seven officers sat At table COW
cred with red cloth. Before them was box
with n large opening in the top. I entered,
trembling in every limb. Suddenly heard my
name called:
"Mendel Beilis!"
! stepped forward.
Here | am, your EXcelIency."
Approach and try your luck"
He Becomes Russian Soldier
| put my hand into the box, well knowing
that ! was stalking five years of my life against
one chance in ten thousand of my winning But
it had to be done. In those few moments my
thoughts indeed terrible. l trembled in
every limb as l Withdrew the tiny piece OF
paper which was to settle my fate / remem
Der well unroling it, and as my eyes lit on the
number-71-I realized my doom.
| n might
have stood a chance of being one of the for
tunate ones to be examined. He looked at me
and said to the officer present: Russia could
do with few more recruits of this size and
strength"
Because l was so big and strong they placed
me in one of the famous grenadier regiments.
l was the only jew in the regiment and there
was scarcely Il jew in the town of Twier, where
were stationed. Fortunately for me- those
around me had not acquired the habit of i'll
treating my race, and because of this | did not
suffer any of the ill-treatment to which had
been accustomed all my life on account Of my
being Jew.
In the army I had to get up at 4 a. m. and by
six had TO be fully dressed, spick and span,
for inspection After this had breakfast,
which consisted of black bread and tea Then
came military exercise until midday. when we
We're given our dinner, consisting Of soup made
with cabbage and potatoes with a little meat
floating in the middle. This is known
"Bnrsch"
By the time dinner was ready we were al
ways famiShed and there used to be a regular
fight to see who could get to the soup caudron
first. As l have never liked being mixed up in
a row it usually happened that my turn came
nearly last, and then there was very little meat
left for me.
During the five years I was always hungry
We were allowed three pounds of black bread
each per day, but l always having been used to
whittier bread found it almost impossible to d.
gest what was supplied to US. And 50 l used TO
take my portion into the town every day and
sell it for four konecks. With this | was able
to buy white bread. but. of course, a much
smaller quantity.
Some Of my friends have reproached me since
for eating the Christian food while in the army
But l have always answered: Il had nothing
else TO eat. so what was l to do?'
As 1t was l always hungry. I could not
buy Jewish meat because l had no money Our
pay was only twenty three kopecks a month
and out of this had to buy materials for keep
ing clean my uniforms. | did not want 10 eat
Christian food hut l could not hep myself
Others of my friends have blamed me for not
going to synagogue while in the army. I have
told them that if there is not a synagogue can
not go to it. did once ask an officer on a Jew