The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-13
December II, 1884: 4 Red Letter Day
In the History Of the Jewish Masses
Bir B i'd jan Turned
Into Autonomous
Jewish Region

Jewish Region
was concluded, and on May 7, 1884,
the Central Executive Committee of
the U. S. s. r. adopted a decree.
transforming Biro-Bidjan into an
Autonomous Jewish Region with
representation on the Council Of
Nationalties.
On December II, 1884, the Jewish
Autonomous Region will elect its
first government. That election will
complete the first state formation OF
the Jewish nationality during these
many centuries past. BY this for
nation of a Jewish state unit, the
Soviet principle of unqualified ma
tional determination will have
found its fullest practical applica-
ton with regard to the Jews, on the
same equal basis and high level as
in the case Of all other peoples,
races and national minorities Of the
first socialist republic Of the world.
1t will enable the Jew to develop
more fully whatever national forms
its culture may adopt, as factor
for the acceleration Of the upbuild-
ing of the common socialist culture
of the Soviet Union.
Biro-Bidjan is an extremely i'm
portant sector Of the Far East. The
more than 10000 miles of Bro
Bidjan, twice the size Of Holland,
about three and a half times the
size of the State of New Jersey or
Palestine, are distinguished by a
healthful climate and abound in
natural resources to such an extent
that the development Of Bro Bidjan
is a matter Of no secondary impor-
lance for the entire socialist econ
omy of the Soviet Union. BY mobll-
izing their national self conscious
ness and creative efforts, by actlv-
izing the toiling Jewish masses, the
Jews of Bro Bidjan will not only
build up their national state unit,
but will accelerate and strengthen
the development of the national
socialist economy Of the U. S. s. r.
the only foundation and guarantee
of the full emancipation of the
Jew.
Dec. II a Red-Letter Day
1t is for this reason that Deem
Der II, 1894, becomes a milestone in
the age-long history Of the Jew. 1t
is for this reason that, second only
to November 7, December II will be
recorded as the most important red
letter day in the history of the Jew.
1t is a symbol of that complete re-
generation that the abolition Of all
forms of exploitation is bound to
accomplish for the Jew. 1t marks
the final achievement in that policy
Of national self determination which
is an integral part of social order
in which exploitation of man by
man has become impossible, and
equality of opportunity has become
effective in the everyday life and
activity OF the people.
The historical significance of De-
cember II is even greater at present,
when the Jew is menaced more than
ever, when Jew-baiting, Jew-oppres-
sion and Jew-persecution become
the major stock-in-trade Of every
shattered and disintegrating regime
At time when the horrors of the
middle ages are surpassed; when
Fascisrn, like plague, is devastat-
ing many lands, making the Jew its
first and chosen victim--at such
time, December IL. the day Of the
Inauguration Of the first Jewish
state formation in the U. s. S. r.
stands out as a torch Of light and
promise-the only promise Of real
salvation for the Jew the world
over.
On this day, the Jewish toiling
masses the world over, approaching
fully the revolutionary significance
Of the Soviet policy which brought
full emancipation to the Jew and
which, as It's final achievement, re-
suited in the formation Of the first
Jewish state unit In the world, will
renew their pledge to organize and
stand up for the defense Of the
Soviet Union and for the accelera-
ton of the socialist construction in
Biro-Bidjan. On this day the Jew
ish masses in this country and the
world over will extend message Of
greetings and fraternal cooperation
to the pioneers in Biro-Bidjan and
the Soviet Government there, to the
Soviet Union and its leadership,
pledging their unwavering support
in every effort to accelerate and
carry to full realization the under
lying fundamental principles which
have made possible the reconstruc-
ton of Jewish life on productive
socialist foundations and the fornia-
ton of the first Jewish state unit
in the world.