SOUTH WALES RIOTS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 92, 9 October 1911, Page 3

SOUTH WALES RIOTS

ATTACKS UPOX JEWS. AS BAD AS RUSSIA. London, August 25. Disgraceful scenes continue to be witnessed in South Wales, and the anger of the mob is directed in particular against the Jewish community. At Tredegar the damage and pillage has been indescribable. Not a single shop occupied by a member of the Jewish faith litis been left unmolested.

' Mr. Lewis Harris, of Tredegar,a pawnbroker and outfitter, describing the attack made upon his shop, said that after closing his premises he went up to the front room, and between 11.30 and 12 o'clock he heard a knock at the door, which was followed by the sound of crashing glass. He could hear the crowd howling outside. "I prepared," went on Mr. Harris, "as best I could, to meet my end. regretting only that 1 would have to die like a rat in a corner. Someone mounted the stairs, but as soon as he saw me he turned round, and went down again." Mr. Harris followed, and went into the street amongst the crowd. '•Without any intention to be dramatic," he said, "I then addressed them as far as 1 can remember—of course, I was greatly agitated—in these words: 'Xow take my life! I don't deserve this. I have tried my best to do my duty to the Jewish community and the general community. You have taken my property; now take my life." 1

In consequence of this organised attack, the. Jews are leaving the Monmouthshire towns and villages in large numbers. Their departure was in several instances made, the object of derision. At station after station down the valley refugees joined the train. On the PontilanfraiLh platform were to be seen an elderly Jew, with his wife, and a younger woman,, with half-a-dozen children, two of them in arms. Littered on the ground around them were their personal belongings, corded in a large counterpane, in broad scarves, and in other chance coverings. In many cases Jews have left their belongings to the mercy of the mob. without even acquainting the police of their departure. One of the best-known shopkeepers in Ebbw Vale, proceeds the correspondent, is Air. Charles Goldbltitt, of Church street, whose drapery premises- have been wrecked. Talking over the position, he said; "The treatment meted out to us is netting as bad as it is* in Russia. There is no reason for it, and, so far a? I know, the allegations which have been made against the Jews as to increasing the rents of house property and compelling the tenants of houses to purchase goods in their shops, are not true. As a matter of fact, there are only one or two Jews in Ebbw Vale who own bouse property. I have resided here for the past quarter of a century, and have always got on very well with the people, I have during that period had many had debts, but have never 'countycourted' anybody."