SOVIET EXONERATED

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 909, 28 February 1930, Page 9

SOVIET EXONERATED

CHIEF RABBI ISSUES STATEMENT DOUBT OF COLLEAGUES United P. A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 10 a.m. RIGA, Thursday. The Chief Rabbi of the Minsk region, in a statement, exonerates the Soviet from all blame for the persecution of the Jews in Russia. He adds: “The Soviet is the only Government which has successfully combated Anti-Semitism. Where synagogues have been closed down it is because the congregations have expressed desire for it.” Clerical circles in Riga consider that the declaration is due to coercion. TOLERENT RUSSLA M. RYKOFF’S ASSURANCE NO RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION LONDON, Wednesday. The Moscow correspondent of the British United Press interviewed A. Rykoff who, as President of the Council of the People’s Commissars, is virtually Premier of Russia. He stated that tolerance of all beliefs, religious or otherwise, was a principle of the Soviet. Continuing, Rykoff said the Soviet did not persecute persons on account of their religious beliefs. It had indeed granted entire freedom to all beliefs. It did net prosecute the clergy for the legitimate practice of their profession. In every case the punishment of priests was for some violation of the law, or for counterrevolutionary activity. Churches had been closed, but only upon the request of the local community, or when for lack of support they had ceased to be used as houses of worship.