New-York tribune., 1919-12-23
Families of 90 Deported
on Buford to Follow to
Russia With the Second
Cargo of 800 Aliens
$50 Women Riot at
Ellis Island Ferry
Scream for Husbands and
Curse the Government
That Sent Them Away

Wives and children of about sixtv
of the 249 Russian anarchists who
were deported on the transport Bu-
ford early Sunday morning will be
sent to join their relatives in Russia
as soon as another transport is made
ready. Along with them will go about
three hundred more aliens who are to
be assembled at Ellis Island within q
week.
The decision of the Department of
Justice not to separate members of
families in deporting aliens was
reached after an appeal had been sent
to Washington, in which it was point
ed out that the Buford had carried
away the wage-carners for numerous
wives and children, who are left help
less. Officials said that wives and chill
dren would be permitted to go on their
submitting proof of their relationship
to the deported aliens, but that they
would have to await the departure of
another transport loaded with de-
portees.
Pastor Called to Explain
The Rev. DR.. Percy Stickncy Grant,
who told his congregation at the
Church of the Ascension last Sunday
night that the departing anarchists
were to be compared to the Pilgrim
Fathers, has been called upon by the
House Committee on immigration to
explain his statement.
Last night he said:
"M by. the Baptists of New England
were regarded as anarchists in Co.
lonial days and the Quakors were re-
garded as pacifsts. The congressman
have invited me to appear before them
and | will do so at my own expense to
express my views on the subject Of de-
pOrtatiOnS."
More Aliens Assembled
Information concerning the probable
time of departure of the next transport
Was withheld yesterday, but it was
learned that aliens ordered deborted
are being assembled at various points.
A dispatch from Detroit said that fifty
seven were being held there. Forty
five are in Jail at Hartford, Conn.,, and
about 200 are due from Western cities.
Rlotous scenes occurred at the Barge
Office, at the Battery. yesterday, when
some of the women learned through
newspaper accounts of the secret de-
portatlon of their husbands. About $50
women, many of whom were accom-
panied by children, stormed the en-
trance to the Ellis Island ferry. The
meeting resulted in the sending Of a
telegram to Anthony Caminetti, Com
missioner of immigration, and Attorney
General Palmer at Washington.
Denounce "Atrocity"
The telegram read:
I'VE have received no response to
urgent 70 Io
cry and inhuman wrong your depart
ment has inflicted upon u.s. We
have been patient and long suffer-
ing, but the cruelty is driving us to
desperation. Already one Of your
victims has been driven to acts of
violence. The result of starvation
and heart-pangs rests upon your
heads. Has the government of the
United States no decency and self
respect? Shall atrocities be visited
on Russian women and children? We
ask for justice and receive only prom
lses that develop into lies. Are there
no Americans left who know the his
tory of their country? In the name
OF humanity and justice we demand
at this time when all the world is
about to celebrate the birth of Christ.
the name you hold sacred, the right
of peace in our hearts. We demand
that you unite us with our husbands
and fathers.
WIVES AND CHILDREN OF THE
RUSSIAN DEPORTEES."
Riot Call Is Sent
Enraged because they said they could
OBTAIN no definite information as to
whether their husbands had been n' ds' so
ported, the women, led by Clara
Brooks, twenty-four years old, a Rus
s1an, who lives at 2l9 Forsyth Street.
created so much disturbance that a
riot call was sent to Old Slip and
Harbor police stations. Pushing her
way through the crowd, Mrs. Brooks.
according to the police, shook her first
and shouted: Down with this dirty.
rotten government! They have taken
my husband and are taking the hus-
bands, brothers and fathers Of all of
us away"
While Asa Mitchell, superintendent
of the Barge Office, was awaiting the
arrival of the police reserves some of
the women jammed their fists through
window. After the reserves had
quleted the crowd one of the women
was called upon to explain what the
demonstration was about.
"They arrested my husband,' she
SAID. When | went to find out about
nlm theN salu. Don worry, he al!
right Il pleaded with them to let me
talk to him, but they refused to let
me see him. Now when | come back
here | learn he is gone on the sea,
1'll never see him again"
Mrs Brooks later was arraipned he
fore Magistrate Max Levine at the
Tombs court on charge of disorderlv
conduct, found guilty and committed
for forty-eight hours pending an
investigation by a probation officer.
She said she had been in this country
eight years.
Husband Taken in Riot
1t was learned from Federal officials
that Abraham Brooks, her husband,
was among those deported on the Bu
ford. Brooks was arrested during a
riot at a Russian demonstration in
Washington Square last October. He
was accused of circulating anarchist
literature which protested against the
presence Of American troops in Russia.
Although Harry Weinberger, at
torney for some of the aliens, said he
previously had been assured by De-
partment of Justice and immigration
officials that deportees might take
their families with them, he sent an
other telegram to Mr.. Caminetti last
-