Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1919-09-10
jews IN serbia
: IN Dad PLIGHT
Economic Ruin and Epidemics
y Have Fallen to Their Lot
in Balkans.
BULGARIAN OUTLOOK BETTER
Investigator Urges Shipments Of Food
and Clothing to Roumania-Fund
of $35,oo0,ooo Being Sought
- in United States.

New York.-Reports of the condi-
ton of Jews in the Balkan countries,
as made to the American Jewish Re
lief committee by its investigators
abroad show that economic ruin, cpl
denies of typhus, tuberculosis, and
other diseases have fallen to the lot OF
Balkan Jews to an extent equal to that
suffered by their co-religionists in
other war-torn countries, but that po-
litical and religious repressive meas
ures have been lacking.
The first detailed account Of the sit
uation in Serbia in many months is
from DR.. Isaac Alcalay, chief rabbi Of
Serbia, with headquarters in Bel
grade. He said Belgrade was still
without regular communication with
the provinces, because the railroads
and bridges destroyed by the Austrians
have not been restored.
"During the war;" he wrote, "Jews
in Belgrade suffered proportionately
more than the rest of the population.
Most of their habitatiOns were exposed
to gunfire throughout the Is months
that the city was under bombardment.
Almost all homes are destroyed. The
Jewish population Of the city, formerly
5000, now numbers no more than $500.
The number is being increased daily
by returning refugees. Many men are
still with the colOrs.
Have Suffered Terribly.
ECONOMICALLY, the Serbian Jews
have suffered terribly. Because of
the uncertain political situation, all
regular commerce is impossible, and it
IS difficult for Jewish citizens to i'm
prove their condition. This has de-
prived institutions Of financial aid
from the native population. Jewish
schools are totally destroyed and the
children cannot be educated.
"Such a situation is unfortunate. for
the war has brought us new duties.
The Jews of old Serbia took very
active part in the Balkan wars and
in the world war. The years of fight
ing have deprived more than 400 fam
lilies of their bread winners. These
people have to be helped.
In Bulgaria, according to report
from Miss Hetty Goldman of this city,
the condition of the Jews Is some
what better than in Serbia. Poverty
Is not so widespread, nor are health
conditions so bad.
The families of Jewish residents re-
ceive allotments ranging from 40 to 20
levas a month, according to the size
of the family. Recently the maximum
was raised to 90 levas to meet the
rising cost Of living. The pensions
will be continued for widows and or
phans.
bulgarian Jews are able to meet
the needs of their own poor, but they
have recently been confronted with
a new responsibility. Roumanian Jews
are seeking refuge in Bulgaria, and
their Bulgarian cO-reiigionists are at
loss TO know what TO do with them.
There is no work, even for skilled ar
tisans.
"a soup kitchen is being run for
these people Of Sophia, but many are
desperate. An allotment from our
American Jewish relief fund must be
made to care for them"
In Roumania there is need of cloth
ing and staple foods. 1t was Miss
Goldman who made the investigation
in this country also.
Clothing Greatest Need.
"The people needed clothing above
everything else" her report reads.
"AlmOst everybody is shabby, and a
large percentage of the poor are prac-
tically without clothing. I went into
many homes where the inmates had on
mere rags or were huddled in torn
blankets Of sacking.
'The second greatest need is for
staple foods, such as dry beans, peas,
rice, vegetables, fats and the like.
Such supplies as are to be had are sold
ut exorbitant prices. American Jew
fish relief committees should send
clothing and food for about $4,000 per-
sons. Only if this is done will they
have protection against the hardships
of next winter.
81 was painfully impressed by the
number of sick in Roumania. In Bu-
chareSt, out of a Jewish population Of
$4,000 there was an average of eight
funerals a day last winter. A large
percentage of typhus cases in Bucha-
rest and Jassy have been among Jews.
The lack of clothing, especially of
clean underwear, has been contrib
uting cause. The inability to obtain
fuel made families huddle i'm their
rooms. Some did not go outside their
homes practically all winter"
- Ainery for the effective distribu-
NJ relief in the Balkan countries
operation. More than 100000
Two of supplies, including several
ton kosher meat, was sent from
New York late in July to COnstanZa.
Roumanla. The American Jewish re-
lief committee, under the chairman
ship of Louis Marshall, plans to con-
tinue regular shipments of this kind
to the Balkans and to Poland, Galicia,
Questionable, and the other coun-
tries.
For this purpose fund of S35,000.-
600 is being sought in the United
TO- -