The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1917-01-26
RUSSIAN TREATY
is RECALLED BY
COMING BANQUET
Diplomats, Scholars and the
State Executives to Greet
Siberian Exile.

Bridgeport is soon to be the scene
| of meeting which has International
aspect, based on an incident in dip
lomatic intercourse between the Unit
ed States and Russia which has almost
passed from sight during % elapsed
years, but which, had it's effect upon
all humanity and closely united the
two nations.
On Christmas eve, in the year 1888,
Herman Kempinski of this city was
arrested in Konin, Russia, charged
with evading Russian military duty.
He was an American citizen and had
gone to Russia to visit his aged pa
rents when apprehended and ordered
transported to Siberia.
Through the efforts of Bridgeport's
most respected citizens many of
whom have since passed away, Abra-s
ham lodge B'nai Birth of which in
ternationa1 order he was a member,
and notably Simon Wolf Jewish
philanthropist and humanitarian of
national repute, the interest of the
late James G. Blaine, secretary of
state was enlisted to bring about
through diplomatic intercourse his re-
lease.
grocery merchant, and one of Bridge
ports respected citizens resides calm
ly in the midst of his family at 80
Elmwood avenue, sincerely grateful
and loyal to the country of his adop-
ton which rescued him from the ST.
berian prison horrors. But he has
never been able\ to meet all the men
whose efforts for his release invoked
the diplomacy, of America and Russia
and confirmed the existing treaty to
a degree that forever ended the in
9carceration of natura1ized Americans
in the great domain of the Car.
At the forthcoming 50th anniver-1
sary of Abraham Lodge No. 80, I. o.
p. B., plans have been laid to have
every surviving participant in the in
ternational incident present. The list
includes notable diplomats, executives
of state, philanthropists Of national
prominence, international heads of
the great Jewish order lawyers and
citizens of Bridgeport. The meeting
promises to be notably affecting, as
we'll as historical to the lodge which
can record the achievement as it's
own.
In recalling the wide prominence
Kempinski attracted in Bridgeport !
Cleveland's defeat and President Har-
rison's election, prominent member
Of B'nai Birth said to-day:
"The Kempinski, incident which had
it's origin and denouement in Bridge
port is not only tribute to American
diplomacy, the power of the Order
iaIa l~
but brought forth the noble motives of
Simon Wolf one Of Americas fore
most humanitarians and the forceful
genius of Jacob Klein then rising
lawyer in the community.
"Kempinslxi had come to Bridgeport
from Russia in 1872. Three years
later he became a member of Abra-
ham lodge. AS early as 1883 he had
declared his intention of becoming an
American citizen. Five years later I
in the local common pleas court he
renowned allegiance to the EMPEROR
of Russia and was granted full citizen
ship papers,
"A sad letter from his aged parents
requesting to see him once more be- !
fore death parted them forever took
him and his family to the land of
his birth. Secret service agents ar
rested him on Christmas eve, 1888. He
was ordered transported to Siberia for
pleaded his American citizenship, and
failure to report for military duty. He
was told that such plea was of no
avail. His family communicated
with Abraham Lodge. Attorney Klein !
then an active member of the Order !
here protested in the name of the Or /
der to the State department. Be-
cause Kempinski had travelled
through Germany, District No. 8 III
o. y. B., in that country made addi-
tional representations to Russia. ST.
mon Wolf, former consul to Egvpt I
residing in Washington 4 added his I
wide influence. The late Patrick
Coughlin, then mayor of Bridgeport !
headed a petition to Secretary Blaine /
signed by Bridgeports foremost men. |
asking for his release. The Amer
lean legation at St. Petersburg pet
rograd) acted but were informed |
.Kempinski had renowned his allegi- |
ance to the United States. The dip
lomatic relations were severely strain
ed when indubitab1e proof was found |
that Kempinski was still an American
citizen. Russia receded from her for
mer position and no similar arrest I
has ever been made"
The reunion will be held during the
Golden Jubilee of Abraham lodge on
Feb. IL following an elaborate cele-
bration at the Park Avenue temple
Sunday Feb. IL, and will be continued
during the festivities in this city Feb.
49,