New-York tribune., 1914-11-28

Dear Mr. Zangwill.
When I first saw the report a few
weeks ago IN o German newspaper that
YOU had addressed an appeal 20 the
Jews of America that they should man
fest their sympathies with Russia in
the present war / regarded II simply
as one more of the many legends that
have in recent times found currency in
serious newspapers. Il appeared TO noe
just as incredible as so many other
sensational stories. such as that the
German Kaiser had been made a pris-
gner By the Crown Prince and shat all
the Social Democratic Deputies Of the
Reichstag had been shot for opposing
the war. I steadfastly refused 90 be-
Ieve that you had committed an action
so Numerically opposed 20 the IDEAS
and convictions you have expressed IN
all your books and speeches; but, ln-
fortunately, ! have found such repeated
confirmation Of this action Ia both the
Continental and American press that
my disbelief has az last been dispelled,
and l realize, TO my grief and dlsap-
pointment, that you have indeed com
mitted step that gives the Tie 20 the
whole Of your l.fe's work
You have asked the Jews Of America,
and indeed of all neutral countries, 20
express their sympathy for Russia he
cause you have received am assurance
from Sir Edward Grey that he will use
his influence at the end of this war, in
the event of a victory of the Triple En-
tente, 20 secure the emancipation o.
the Jews ln Russia. Never have /
heard OF such a singular appeal on the
part of jew, and that, too, on The part
of one who has enjoyed the reputation
of leader ln Jewry. The appeal l- as
extraordinary as the ground upon which
it is based. Had YOU been utterly
ignorant of the history of the jews ln
Russia, Of the persecution and deg
radiation and of the rameless perl,s %
which they are exposed on the part Cf
all who are dressed n d little brief
authority IN that land. one might
understand your desire as au English
man 20 advocate the cause OF Eng
lands ally, although only q few weeks
previously you athorred the idea Of
England being allied 90 Russia.
But you, who are acquainted. as few
Jews IN modern times are. with all The
shame, the misery and the horror OF
the III treatment Of our fellow jews ln
the Russian Empir-; you, who have
heard from the lips of SO many Jewish
fugitves how their homes have been
plundered, their synag0gues pOi.Ited
and their wives and daughters dis
honored by the myrmidons Of the
Gar; you. who have publicly de-
nounced In thrilling speeches the state
organized progroms 20 which thou
sands of our brothers and sisters have
fallen vict.ms-that you should now
plead the cause of the government that
has wrought such unparalleled cruelty
and terror 10 our people ls my .efy
before which | stand perpleNed. 1ou
know that the screw OF persecution has
been turned even tighter since the ac-
cession of Nicholas H. You know tnat
the Pale Of Settlement In which the
Jews are confined, exploited and OPP
pressed, with the periodic outbreak oI
massacres, is the nearest semolance 10
hell that can be found on Gods eartn.
You know, too, that the Car or RUSSIA
has aided and promoted the leaders OF
the Union of Russian Men, who have ti-
ganlzed most of the progroms 4A..a5
the last ten years. And yet you are s0
blind 20 these facts as 70 claim ic"isn
sympathy for the responsible author eI
al. this misery. You would icA me
hand that beats us. You nave tr.el
yourself, courageously but 10 vain' Tor
the last nine years TO fnd new home
In some distant land for the hundred
thousand Jews who are compelled every
year 70 shake of the dust OF Russia,