CHAPTER XXXIX.
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: