The Washington times., 1920-08-06
Washington Man Clues
Eyewitness Story of,
Conditions in Russia

"one doesn't appreciate the good
old u $. A. until he has been through
that war-ridden. hunger-stricken. and
demoralized country OF Russia" ex-
claimed Bernard Goldberg, a young
Jew, Of 831 Sixth street northeast.
who returned to Washington a few
days ago after spending two months
in terrorized Russia, where he went
to meet his mother Mrs. Sarah Gold
berg, and bring her to this country.
Goldberg came to this country
seven years ago, and is now preparing
for college. He is employed in one of
the Government departments in the
city. His father died in Russia about
nine months ago, and the young man
decided to return to the land of his
birth and bring his mother here.
Goldberg spent most Of his time in
Riga, one of the largest seaport
cities in Russia. The harbor is Occur
pied by British wayships.
ALL RULERS LOOK ALIKE.
Riga is now under Lettish form of
gsAolment g 1t is run in something
Of a republican style. with = provis-
ional president, woman suffrage, and
all the fixings. The people have ex-
perienced many varied forms of gov
ernment during the past year, includ-
ing Bolshevist and Communicate. Ac-
cprding to Goldberg, they are willing
to support any form of government
that is established.
THE people of Russia are >discon-
tented and discouraged" said Gold
berg. "They are tired of the continual
fighting. and would do anything to
have peace established. All are poor
and have to rely on the American Red
Cross for food and clothing"
Goldberg was loud in his praise of
the Red Cross. He stated that there
is always a corps Of workers, labor
ing untiringly to aid the demoralized
Russians. The Russians dearly love
the American people, and feel that
cause of all the good work done in
their behalf by the Americans
WITNESSES POGROM.
While at RigaA Goldberg witnessed
pogrom. He said the Let's held Il
big celebration and massacred hun
dreds Of Jews.
"All the factories in Russia have
been shut down. and not one COM
modify is being exported from the
country" Goldberg said. German
and English articles are imported
into Russia, but prices are SO exorbi-
tant that it is impossible for the
people to buy them"
shoes are sold at 700 rubles a pair,
while a suit of clothes costs 1000
rubles. Before the war, a ruble was
worth about SO cents, but now it Is
worth about 2 cents. Meat and bread
cannot be bought for less than 100
rubles.
"An American can live cheaply in
Russia at the present time. Our rate
of exchange is so far above Russia's
that 1t costs much less for an Amer
lean to live there than it does in this
country, provided he receives his sal
ary in United States currency"
Under the laws, person in Riga
can't have more than 1900 rubles in
his possession, Goldberg asserted. The
people are taxed so heavily that no
sooner have they any money than 1t
is taken away from them, he said.
DENOUNCEs ENGLISH.
Goldberg denounced England's pro-
gram In Russia. He said British
warships are stationed in the harbor
ostensibIy to protect British subjects
but in reality to gain a foothold in
the country. He said sailors from
these warships have no respect for
the people of the country. England
is trying to establish a government
in Russia, but the people Will not
stand for 1t, Goldberg stated.
There was two months lull in the
lighting while Goldberg was in Riga,
He said the soldiers were tired of
hghting and were glad OF chance
to lay down their arms for a while.
"The police system in Riga Is de-
plorable," said Goldberg. Citizens
are arrested, thrown into prison and
shot for the most trivial
ofrenses. was in Jail myself for a
while because I didn't happen to
have my necessary documents with
me at that particular time.
"France and England ship large
of guns and munitions
to Russia, by way OF Danzig. II the
supply of munitions were cut of.
there would be no fghting, because
the Russians cannot manufacture the
articles themselves" he said.
Goldberg also visited Poland. He
said conditions there are heartrendlng
the people haze no morale, and they
60 about their bunincss in half
hearted way. They, too, would be
glad to accept any new form OF gov
ernment In order to put an end to
the constant fghting, he said.
Goldberg said several American re.
lief associations are doing wonderfut