The Washington times., 1916-01-21

So effective was the plea of nT. ]. L.
Maenes. Of New York city, for the re-
lief Of Hebrew war sufferers before the
crowd that packed the Eighth Street
Temple last night, fund amounting
to approximately $lO.CtO was raised
within a few minutes after his stirrlng
plea ended.
The giving wns spontaneous and gem
erous. Men Wed with each other for
place on the floor to announce gifts,
and when the announcements had
been made and a collection of envel-
opes began, bills and silver fell on the
platform. Several gitts Of $3.50 were
received from various individuals and
there was a stampede to set the floor
to announce gifts ranging from $50 to
$3.50.
One man shouted. 'I'll double mine
and make 1t $500 in behalf of my wife"
and another doubled his contribution.
When the collection OF envelopes had
been made, the donations were immedi-
ately removed. Bills of all dGnomina-
tions. gold, silver, we're strewn over the
platform. Jewelry and trinkets for
feited by the women for the aid of the
cause fell from the envelopes. One man
gave his weeks wages. Another man
gave $50, and stated that he would give
an equal amount every month until the
war was ended. Tears fell freely from
the ewes of some of the women during
the course of DR.. Magnes' speech, and
even the eyes OF old men glistened as
Dr. Magnes told of the terrible condi-
lions of the Hebrews in Russia, result
ing from political and religious oppres-
sion.
Or. MaEnes pictured the plight of the
Hebrews. Hundreds OF thousands. he
said, had been forced from their homes
on a DAYS notice. The more fortunate
were shipped as freight or cattle from
province to province. arriving and then
having to leave because the governor of
the province would not accept them.
The less fortunate were driven into the
swamps to die. for the truth of which
DR.. Magnes said he had proof and would
furnish It II asked.
DIR. Magnes delivered a singing in
dlctment against the Russian govern
ment. and asked under what law the
alleged crimes of few people have
brought punishment to a whole race.
An official statement was made and
scattered broadcast that the Hebrews
had betrayed the Russians to the Ger
mans, he said. The story was told that
when the Germans were about to &C.
cupy the city all the Hebrews hid In
their cellars. and when the Germans
came told them where the Russians had
gone. DR.. Magnes said that previously
all but nine Hebrews In the city had
been driven out. The huts Of only one
of these had a cellar and that there
| was no one hiding in 1t, he asserted.
DIR. Magnes stated that there are Al
| present 200, 900 Hebrews in the Russian
army fighting for a nation which does
| not recognize them as its children. The
other Russians in the army, said DR.
Magnes. were sometimes set against
| their fellow-soldiers. the Hebrews and
| that when the soldiers would enter a
village the Hebrew soldiers would b.
! forced to watch the murder of theil
people.
Dr. Magnes told the story Of an Amer.
| lean Hebrew boy who left his freedom
and privileges here to fight for Russia
! to which country his people owed &C
little but had sacrificed so much. lie
| said that when the boy had lost his
| right arm and fell behind, he was de.
MED medical attention at one OF the
| Russian hospitals, because IL was If
district where the Hebrew were moi
| allowed
A letter from President Wilson wa.
read by DR.. Simon which follows:
81 hope you will express to those
| present my deep and abiding sym.
| pathy with the great objects of the
| committee. The whole world must
| have been stirred by the needs and
suffering Of those who have beer
woefully afflicted by this present war
and 1 hope there will be a great
outpouring OF generous help to them.