The sun., 1916-08-28
MAIL HELD UP SINCE
WAR NOW ARRIVING
100000 Letters Received
Here From Occupied Prov
inceS of Russia.

Mail from thousands OF persons
stranded since the war bean in the oc-
cupied provinces OF Russia-Russian ro-
land, Gal!cia. Lithuania-many " the
letters from families who have been un-
able to communicate with relatives for
" years, is arriving here in large guam
titles for distribution by the Hebrew
Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society OF
a.9 East Broadway. II was said yes
terday thai, more than loo, 600 letters
have been received In ,ne last few weeks.
A batch Of So 5000 arrived two days ago.
Many OF them te,! ritiful stories Of
hardships n p~rivat!ons. Almost all
ask for financial assistance, They come
from Jews. Poles. LithuanthiaEs and
others. The arrival OF the letters is the
result OF an arrangement made several
months ago by Isidore Hershield. repre-
sentative OF the society. who went abroad
to negotiate with the foreign govern
ments concerned.
Under his arrarcement the German
authorities controlling certain Russian
provinces have provided for proper COM
munication by issuing form postal cards
and rules under which they may be writ
ten upon. 1t IL distinctly stipulated that
the communications shall be confined
strictly to questions OF health or sick
ness, deaths (without mentioning the
cause) and requests for financial assist
ance. IL needed.
Through the arrival OF THE vast guam
tity of mail many persons In his coun-
try lave been apprised OF the circum-
stances OF their friends in the Old coun-
try.
An instance OF this was reported at the
society's headquarters yesterday. NJ.
Iayitf NJ prnvilanra II haa haep
seeking news OF his father-in-law since
the beginning Of the war. Hundreds Of
dollars were spent cabling representa-
tives and consuls abroad TO locate the
man. but in vain. Yesterday in looking
over the mail which had arrived agents
Of the society discovered a postal from
the man-Abe Sesnitzki. IS years old. II
was poetmarked Kovcl. and merely stated
that he wac well. but needed money.
The note was Immediately turned over
to Levitt in Providence. This Is only
one Of many such cases.
As fast as the letters arrive they are
being distributed to the persons named
In the communications. with Instructions
how to answer them. Not all the per-
sons named reside in New York. nor
even in the United States. Under the
arrangement. however, the letters must
come through the Sheltering Society in
New York and then be forwarded.
The Polish wife Of a laborer in Will
mingtop. Del, wrote to her husband
II am well and 80 are two OF u chill
dren. but two other children. Felix and
Stefcia. died. as did my sister Marcy
sici. have received 100 marks, but
need more help. Heartfelt greetings.
your wife. Juzefca Serowicia."
The woman was not permitted to COM
municate further details. Another let
ter came addressed TO Ed Hurdy. Strand
Theatre building. as follows:
DEAR BROTHER AND SISTER: re-
gret to inform you hat our lear father
died on February 2S. Mother IL also
sick. Your brother. Kuba." The note
was postmarked Lode.
Occasionally a letter will slip by the
censors unopened. givlns more. intimate
details OF conditions. One received yes
terday from a small town In Russian
Poland told Of the burning OF a Jewish
synagogue and the massacre OF a score
Of persons there. Another was adj
dressed to a relative who has since gone
abroad In search Of the writer and hap.
pened TO be within 100 miles Of the place
where the note came from.