Massacre of Jews.

Manawatu Herald, 21 May 1903, Page 2

Massacre of Jews.

Particulars which have been received show that prior to the. outbreak at Kishineff, M. de Plehve, Minister o£ the Interior, in a confidential despatch, warned the Governor of Bessarabia of the preparations against the Jews, and directed him to contribute to stopping the disorders by admonitions, without-any recourse to arms. t The Minister urged that owing to the general disquietude of the population of the town it was undesirable to instil i anti-Government feelings by too severe measures. The newspapers at Kishineff inflamed the populace, accusing the Jews of ritualistic murders and of vice.

The Governor, who occupies . the position of Press Censor, declined to interfere. The Governor informed a dedeputation that they had nothing to fear, but massacres followed upon the police wounding the rioters The edict for the expulsion of the Jews from the government of Kieff affects thirty-seven thousand persons, who are distributing themselves in the south.

There is intense indignation in New York, where a Hebrew appealed for subscriptions to „ a relief fund is warmly endorsed by Christians.

Colonel Hay (Secretary of State) communicated with Russia and received a reply that there was a little distress but charitable offers would nevertheless be appreciated. [Kiahineff is] the capital of Russian government of Bessarabia and stands on a tributary of the river Dniester, to the north-west of Odessa. When it became Russian in the year 1812 it had only 7000 inhabitants; since then, however, it has rapidly increased, manufacturing flour and tobacco, and doing a large trade. The old or lower town abuts on the river; the new town stands on ciifts 400 to 500 feet above the river. Kishineff is the seat of an archbishop. The population in 1891 was 117,108 ]