The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-11-08
WAR STRIKES SHACKLES
FROM JEWS IN RUSSIA
Long Subjects of Car May Now Take Position to
Which Merits Entitle Them in the Development
of Russian National Life

Washington. u. c.. Nov THE
patriotism of Russian Jews In rallying
Ito the Russian flag in the present
war has been made the subject of
study by Charles II. Sheriff., ex-Amer-
lean minister TO the Argentine Mr..
Sherrilrs interest In the subject was
aroused by the desperate efforts made
by a young Russian Jew OF his ac-
auaintanca who was in England when
the war broke out, to get back to
Russia to Join the Hussar regiment
In which he was Junior officer. Mr..
Sheriff. said tonight:
When the war broke out a young
Russian Jew. the youngest OF three
brothers found himself in London, cut
off from all chance Of returning home
by the shortest route, which was, OF
course through Germany. The only
way to join the Russian Hussar regi-
ment, of which he WAS junior officer,
was the long. roundabout route via
Bergen. He set off at once, but by
the time he got to Petrograd his regi-
ment was already at the front. and he
! Was told he must content himself with
serving In it's reserve battalion near
the ca pital. He was greatly distressed
by this order, and at fret 1t seemed
impossible 10 get 1t changed. even
tnOuEn MS eIu[St AEVtitcT faas S1iNUd
with distinction in the Russian Diplo-
matte Service
'sThanka however, to his family's
| friendship with a certain important
Russian general, plus the patriotic
| persistence of the young Jewish Of
ficer. he was presently allowed to go
to the front. and just before i left
London there came q jubilant telegram
stating that he was ut last with his
own corps again. Although he was
not permitted to say SO in his tele-
gram. 1t subsequently proved that he
had caught up with his regiment in
time to participate in the taking of
Isemberg. something to remember all
the rest OF his life.
Il became SO much interested in the
red -biooded patriotism of this gallant
young Jew that / was moved to make
| further inquiries into what stand other
| young Russian Jews were taking in
regard to the present war. as well as
what their older co-religionists and
compatriots were doing. The result
| OF this inquiry was to me very sur
| prising. ] use the word surprising
! advisediy for at first blush a foreigner
would wonder what possible interest
q Jew could take in a war SO en-
| phatically and unanimously approved
| by the Greek Church a church which,
| rightly or wrongly, the Jews have
blamed for their failure to enjoy am
pier political rights in Russia And.
| remember. this war IL for Russian
| pea SAINT and noble alike. holy wsr,
Brothers In Patriotism.
However that may be. the sur
| prising fact remains that evon the
most orthodox member of the Rus
! sian Church Is no more enthusiastic
/ about this war than are his Jewish
compatriots. At last these two reli-
gious antipodes have found something
! in common tn both--a bond of SYM
pathy--and there Is kindled in both
OF them the same fire of patriotism.
| lighted though 1t be by brands from
Ldifferent affairs. War Is working out
Iamong them the same phenomenon as
came about during our Spanish war,
when once and for all time there was
! healed the breach between our North
and South--a hlaSe OF patriotism melt
ing stiff prejudice of long standing
and welding together edges long sepa-
rated.
| "One has to know and to talk with
| but few Russians to realize what a
change has already come over Russian
| public opinion a. result OF this
wAr-a change which makes for new
and greater cohesion in their body
| polite. q change which evidences 1T
| self in many ways, not only In this
appreciation Of Jewish loyalty to ma
| tionality. but also in the even moro
unexpected support lent to the gov
eminent by such irreconcilables AZ
certain OF the tcrrorists and by sun
dry evolutionary leaders who have
hitherto ltved In Grille and carried on
from forelg1 parts their active cam
paign asAinst this very government
they are now supTorting.
'And what WI be the Political eff
feet OF this Ursat change. Its effects
are beginning 70 be seen, Already in
Russia this war hAA provided an in
spring tsattmohy to tho patriotism OF
som ethine o NV In thaf country ~
10 set q. now hl8-water mark for the
tide surging on 70 general participation
| in governments, The next DumA to b
elNcted will, thanks to this CHANGE
Inevitably be more representative Of
| all the people, and therefore cannot
help taking definite steps for further
recognition OF the rights Of the masses
who thus, give evidence Of their 10y
atty.
ALREADY, as the. result OF this war.
there exists = new and = broader Rus
sian public opinion and Russia which
| 10 taking e0vefpnsentalsoc1io ns~ APPROX
ca by the governed. And whom : great
forward m0vcm~'es like this ono comes.
~ come 1t must in the history Of every
couutry. who ssh benefit tho most
~ ~ IL ~ hoppfff that ClsS~ ~ ffu