1881.
PERSECUTION IN RUSSIA--LORD GRANVILLE'S SPEECH--PROJECT
OF EMIGRATION TO AMERICA--DEATH OF DEAN
STANLEY AND OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
Numerous letters now arrived from all parts of the Continent describing
the Anti-Semitic movement in Germany; hundreds of communications
reached him also from Russia, describing in heartrending language
the attacks made upon the Jews during the riots in various towns and
villages. Some of his Russian correspondents attributed them to the
Anti-Semites in Germany. These people, they said, had entered into a
league with similarly prejudiced persons in Russia, who, discontented
with the results of their own business transactions, or of their
professions, gave vent to their disappointment by attacking the Jews
who peacefully followed their own pursuits. Others of Sir Moses'
correspondents traced these disasters to the neglect of local governors
and other officials to afford protection to those who stood most in
need of it. There can be no doubt that the Anti-Semitic movement in
Germany very greatly assisted those engaged in sowing the seeds of
hatred, and in promoting ill-feeling against the Jews in Russia.
Towards the end of April the Jews were openly attacked by the populace
at Argenau, in Prussia, their intention having been publicly advertised
beforehand, and the instigators of the riots having signed their names
to the placards. It appears that this was the signal for the members of
their league in Russia to begin the attack, for, on the same day, four
hundred Jews were plundered at Elizabethgrad, many of them ill-treated
and some killed, the riots continuing in various towns and villages.
According to a tabulated statement, giving full particulars of the
persecutions, the number of places where the Jews had to suffer in
Russia amounted to 167.
A writer in the _Times_ says: "Ever since the German Anti-Semites
raised an outcry against their Jewish fellow-citizens, it had been
feared that the movement would spread to Russia, and there take a form
more adapted to the less civilised state of the country when, before
the assassination of the Czar on March the 3rd had roused all Russia
to the highest pitch of excitement, it was confidently predicted that
the approaching Easter would see an outbreak against the Jews. It
was said afterwards, that the prediction was aided in its fulfilment
by Panslavist emissaries from Moscow, who planned all the subsequent
troubles.
"It is at least certain that rumours of a rising had reached
Elizabethgrad, and caused the heads of the Jewish community, who form
a third of its thirty thousand inhabitants, to apply for special
protection from the Governor. No notice was taken of the appeal, and on
Wednesday, April 27th, the dreaded outbreak took place."
Numerous meetings were held in London, Manchester, Liverpool,
Birmingham, and other important towns in England, on the continent
of Europe, and in the principal cities of America, to consider the
position of the Russian Jews, with special reference to the necessity
of sending delegations of their respective committees to Russia. Some
thought emigration from Russia would be the best means of helping the
sufferers. A million sterling, they said, could easily be collected
from the Jews of the whole world, which would go far towards meeting
the expenses of emigration; and many of the emigrants would be able to
furnish a portion of the necessary funds themselves; but the question
rose: "Will the Government permit the emigration of so many subjects?"
Then it was asked: "Where are our brethren to be sent to?" Some
suggested Bosnia, some America, others the Holy Land. There was a great
difference of opinion among the members of the various committees, as
to what should be done in the present terrible crisis.
_May 23rd._--A numerously attended deputation of the Representatives
of the Board of Deputies, conjointly with those of the Anglo-Jewish
Association, waited on Lord Granville at the Foreign Office, for the
purpose of invoking the good offices of the British Government to stop
the outrages on their co-religionists in the Russian Empire.
His Lordship, referring to certain questions which had been raised by
the deputation, said:
"It appears to me that the questions which have been raised are
three. It is quite clear, as stated, that they are more or less
connected one with the other. The first is the general question of
the laws imposing great disabilities upon the Jews in Russia. Now it
is clear that, however intolerant, however unjust, however impolitic
such laws are, yet it is competent for any independent state to
maintain those laws, if it seems fit to them. I maintain with regard
to myself, that one of the strongest political convictions I have
ever had in a public life, now extending to a good many years, was
that in favour of the great measure of the emancipation of the
Jews--(cheers)--and all I need say of that is, that it has been a
source of great satisfaction to me to see the enormous change which
has taken place since that was effected. Why, I have seen melt away
like snow all those prejudices, not only political but social, which
certainly, when I first came into public life, were extreme. I am
glad to find that the members of this deputation have followed the
example of their predecessors; and I think I can say for myself, that
I am not aware of not having taken advantage of any opportunity in my
power of doing what I thought judicious for the improvement of the
position of the Jews, in countries where they are less favoured than
in our own. At the same time it must be remembered that all nations
are jealous of interference with their internal concerns, and this
is especially so with regard to the great Powers of Europe. I had
only last week to make a speech connected with Russia, with regard
to our refusal to join in a conference on another subject, and I
then pointed out how exceedingly sensitive we are in this country
in anything which appears like compulsion from foreign countries,
with regard to our internal legislation. I even quoted an instance
where a popular Minister was turned out of office for proposing
that which every one agreed was quite right, merely from the idea
that he had been instigated to the task by a foreign power. While
remembering this, we may consider what is the best to be done. Now I
am myself perfectly convinced that it would not be judicious to make
official representations on this subject to the Russian Government.
I agree with the speaker who said that the prejudices are greatest
amongst the mass of the people; but I do not agree with those who
have said that a strong representation from a foreign Government
would strengthen the hands of the Russian Government. I think that in
many instances it might weaken the hands of the Government, who, I
believe, are infinitely more enlightened than the mass of the people
on the subject. I feel very strongly that if any representations are
made, they should not be official representations, and moreover, that
they should not be public. With regard to the second question of the
fearful riots, and the destruction of the property of the Jews, I can
only say I believe the statements that have been made, and that I
share the feeling of sorrow that must be common to all that have read
them, and I cannot help believing that that is the feeling of the
Russian Government, and of the higher classes of that country." The
noble earl then read a short extract from the information received
from Mr Wyndham and our Consul at Odessa in regard to these riots,
which were believed to be instigated by the Nihilists, and which had
led to great destruction of property and some loss of life. "It is
announced that the riots have been suppressed, and that no less than
1000 persons had been arrested on account of them. After that I do
not think you can be of opinion that the Russian Government has any
complicity with these outrages. No better proof can be afforded of
the good feeling of the Russian Government than the cordial reception
lately given by the Emperor to a deputation of Jews. Such a thing
as that would have been absolutely impossible in the reign of the
Emperor Nicholas, and I think you may take it that the Emperor is
horrified at these proceedings, and is desirous of putting them down."
Mr Arthur Cohen, Q.C., M.P., who had now become President of the Board
of Deputies, gave Sir Moses a full account of all that had passed at
the interview with his Lordship, and subsequently at the meeting of the
Board. Sir Moses wrote to him under date of 24th May, as follows:
"MY DEAR ARTHUR,--It was most kind of you to devote so much of your
valuable time to furnishing me with particulars on a subject which
has occupied my mind for many years.
"When I had the honour of an audience with the Emperor Nicholas in
the year 1846, His Majesty observed the laws of Russia did not permit
Jews to sleep in St Petersburg. I said, 'I trust your Majesty will
see fit to alter them,' and the reply was, 'I hope so.' Twenty-six
years later, on my again visiting St Petersburg to seek an audience
of the late Emperor Alexander, I found 12,000 of my co-religionists
settled there; many of them had decorations, and a goodly number
filled high offices in the University and public libraries; some
were bankers, others merchants. On my arrival there, I was asked by
a person of high authority what my object was in seeking an audience
of the Emperor. I replied that it was to convey my gratitude to His
Majesty for having realised the hope expressed to me by his father.
The Prime Minister then assured me, in the presence of three or four
Ministers of State, that the Russian Jews, if qualified by their
abilities and moral character, could attain any high position in the
Empire.
"I am fully convinced that it is only by mild and judicious
representation--relying in advance, as it were, on their kindness and
humanity--that you have a chance of your application reaching the
throne of the Emperor.
"You have, I conceive, acted most wisely in all you have done with
reference to the movement, and I perfectly agree with the opinion
entertained by Lord Granville on the subject.
"If it be thought advisable, I am quite ready to go again to St
Petersburg. I should, in the first place, ascertain whether my visit
would be agreeable or not to the Emperor and his Government; and, in
the next place, I should apply to the British Government for letters
of recommendation to the British Minister, and thus equipped I should
have every hope of smoothing the unfortunate position in which our
brethren are placed in that country."
Here we have a man, nearly ninety-eight years old, speaking seriously
of setting out again on a Mission to St Petersburg. When his friends
said to him, "How can you think of proceeding to Russia at your
advanced age, and in your present weak state of health?" he replied,
"If necessary, I will be carried there. Take me in my carriage to
the train, put me on board ship, then again in the train, and when
in St Petersburg I will be carried into the presence of the Emperor.
Nothing," he added, "shall prevent me from serving my unfortunate
brethren if I can be of use to them."
Although deeply grieved by the sad events to which so much public
attention was being directed, Sir Moses did not withdraw his attention
entirely from other matters, and was much pleased to read in the
_Times_ of the success of Mr A. F. Saunders, who had just gained the
prize medal for Hebrew, which Sir Moses had founded years before at
the Merchant Taylors' School. Many of the students who had gained
this medal used, while pursuing their studies at the universities, to
address Hebrew letters to Sir Moses, to show him the progress they were
making in the sacred language, and he never failed to encourage them
further in their studies.
The death of Dean Stanley was another shock to Sir Moses, whose
relations with the Dean were of the most cordial character. He would
frequently have read to him the reply of the Dean to Canon Jenkins,
who proposed the establishment of an "Appellate Tribunal, to which the
question of the treatment of the Jews should be referred."
The Dean regarded the scheme as impracticable, but expressed his
abhorrence of the cruel persecutions, and his conviction that they were
impossible in a country like ours.
"We stand much in need of such advocates for right and justice," Sir
Moses remarks, "and the loss we have sustained by his death is great."
The news of the attempt on the life of General Garfield, the President
of the United States, caused him also much sorrow. He always
entertained a high regard for the Americans, and admired their numerous
noble institutions. "How many millions of our fellow-beings," he used
to say, "found a happy home there when all hope for an honourable
maintenance in their own country had to be given up, because the land
which gave them birth ceased to give them shelter and protection?"
_September 19th._--On hearing that the life of the President was in
danger, he immediately sent a telegram to the Spiritual Heads of the
Spanish and German Hebrew Congregations of Jerusalem.
"Let prayers be offered up," he telegraphed, "in all Synagogues for
President Garfield's speedy recovery."
Mrs Garfield, to whom Sir Moses subsequently addressed a letter of
sympathy, several Senators, and many prominent American citizens,
acknowledged this mark of attention most gratefully, and expressed
their high appreciation of it.
When the President died Sir Moses sent £100 to Mr Marcus of Boston for
distribution among the most deserving charitable institutions of that
city, without distinction of race or creed, in memory of the esteemed
and lamented President.
_September 28th._--The following telegram, appeared in one of the
papers, under the heading "Anti-Semitic Agitation," dated Vienna,
Tuesday night:
"According to a Russian paper, Sir Moses Montefiore has forwarded an
address to the Jews in South Russia, informing them of the measures
provided for their emigration to the United States, and stating that no
obstacle will be raised by the Government to their leaving the country."
This report having no foundation in truth, Sir Moses immediately
addressed the editor on the subject, who in return published a
correction the next day. As a matter of fact, Sir Moses never expressed
an opinion on the matter, sent no address to the Jews of South Russia,
and did not even reply to letters written to him on the question of
emigration.
On the 8th day of Heshván Sir Moses celebrated his ninety-seventh
birthday.
A few days afterwards there is an entry in his Diary, in which he says:
"I have been very unwell for several days, and this day unable to take
a drive in my carriage. Blessed be God for His manifold gifts, and, I
hope, renewed strength."
_December 30th._--Letters reached him from America referring to a
meeting of the citizens of Harrisburg, Catahouli, and Louisiana,
reporting that resolutions had been passed cordially inviting the
Russian emigrants to settle in the district, and promising every
assistance. Three representatives of the emigrants made an inspection
of the land offered to them, and gave a very favourable account of it.
At New Orleans every assistance was given to the emigrants, numbering
about a hundred, and the President of the West End Railway placed a
special train at their disposal.
The Local Committee leased the Continental Hotel, capable of lodging
over five hundred persons, and placed it under the Ladies' Hebrew
Sewing Society.
"I wish," Sir Moses said, "facilities like those offered by the
Committee at New Orleans could be secured for emigrants who select the
Holy Land for colonisation."