The Washington times., 1916-01-21

So effective was the plea of nr. j. l..
Masncs. 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 *l0CtO was r1ised
within a few minutes after his stirring
plea ended.
The giving wns spontaneous and grn-
erous. Men We'd with each other for
place on the floor to announce gifts,
and whcn the announcements had
been made and q collection Of envel-
opes began, bills and silver fell on the
platform. Several gifts OF $3.50 were
received from various individuals ard
there was q stampede to get the aoor
to announce gifts ranging from $50 to
$3.50.
One man shouted. "Ill double mine
and make it $500 in behalf Of my wife,
and another doubled his contribution.
When the collection OF envelopes had
been made, the donations were imnedi-
ately removed. Bills of all dcnomina-
tions, gold. silver were 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 coual amount every month until the
war was ended. Tears fell freely from
the eyes of some of the women during
the course of DR.. Magncs' speech. and
even the eyes of old men Glistened as
DR.. Magnes told of the terrible condi-
tions of the Hebrews in Russia. result
ing from political and religious oppres-
sion.
DIR. Magnes pictured the plight OF the
Hebrews. Hundreds Of thousands. he
said. had been forced from their homes
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 If asked.
br. Magnes delivered a stinging in
dictmcnt against the Russian govern
ment and asked under what law the
alleged crimes OF a few people have
brought punishment to 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 tha t
when the Germans were about TO oc-
cupy the city all the Hebrews hid in
their cellars. and when the Germans
came told them where the Russians had
| gone. Or. Magncs said that previously y
all but nine Hebrews in the city had
been driven ont. The huts Of only one
| OF these had cellar. and that there
was no one hiding in It. he asserted
DR.. Magnes stated that there are Al
present 10000 Hebrews in the Russian
! army lighting for nation which does
not recognize them as its children. The
other Russians in the army, said Dr.
| Magncs. were sometimes set against
| their fellow-soldiers, the Hebrews, and
| that when the soldiers would enter a
village the Hebrew soldiers would be
| forced to watch the murder of their
! people
Dr. Magnes told the story Of an Amer
| ican Hebrew boy who lefa his freedom
and privileges here to fight for Russia
to which country MS people owed 30
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 it was in
! a district where the Hebrew were not
| allowed
| A letter from President Wilson was
| read by DR.. Simon which follows:
| IL 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 been
woefully afflicted by this present war
| and I hope there will be great
outpouring OF generous help to them u