The Geniune Jew

Organ for Yiddish Matters

DER WAHRE JUDE Organ für die Gesammtinteressen des Judenthums

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Lviv, March 1st 1904

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The Genuine Jew is published every Friday

Lemberg, den 1. März 1904.

Purim

Out of all Jewish holidays, Purim is the only one where Jews celebrate in remembrance of taking revenge on their enemies. The idea of vengeance is admittedly foreign to the Jewish people, as it is explicitly in the Holy Thora: “You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge!” But against Amalek and his children, who want to destroy the Jewish people, against enemies like that is the thought of vengeance, of revenge permitted. The positive commandment: “Remember what Amalek did to you.” delays “You shall not take revenge and you shall not bear a grudge!” for now.

The children of Amalek are still alive to this day. “In every generation, they rise up against us to destroy us, in every generation they rise up against us in order to destroy us, but, "God saves us from their hands". In His great revenge, we are not responsible, but they are avenged upon by another hand in the end.

Lately, Russia plays the role of Amalek. In Russia, Jewish people are pursued the most, they are prosecuted most, they are tormented. The whole world was shocked by the horrible acts of violence against Jews in Chișinău. Brutality on this level has not happened for hundreds of years, but God, blessed be He: “Pull long and pay little”. As a proverb describes: Because Russia thinks it can do whatever it wants without agitating anything, the same Russia will see its end because of Japan. Every day, new messages arrive of the Russian defeat and the Japanese victories, it is truly the downfall of Haman. For Russia, also this quote will come true:"As you begin to fall, so you shall fall! Russia is being deserted from all sides, all its Asian neighbours, which used to ally with Russia - Korea, China, Tibet, and others - turned away. They are also looking forward to Russia’s losses and allied with Japan. The public opinion is also against Russia, looking forward to its defeat.

Especially Jews in the whole world rejoice. News in America reports that the local Jews want to buy a battleship with all supplies needed, cannons, gunpowder, and so on. They want to name it “Chișinău” and gift it to Japan. We do not know if this news is true, but it might as well be. "Remember what Amalek did to you" - we always have to remember this verse, we cannot forget the persecutions of Chișinău, not until Russia meets its end. Just like Spain, which once was the biggest empire and these days it pummeled and lost its standing. Our friendship with Japan is not a friendship to Mordecai), because we do not converse with Japan at all. The Japanese are completely foreign to us and we have never been in contact with each other, except the same hatred of Haman. Our resentment against Russia makes Japan and us friends. We want Japan to triumph and therefore Russia should fall. The whole world will be convinced that there is a God who cares about the persecuted and punishes the persecutor. Then when Russia is like Haman, sad and cowering, then there will be light, and gladness, and joy, and honor for the Jews.

The Austrian Balkan Politics

Austrian’s Balkan Politics have been talked about a lot again lately; about which side Austria-Hungary will take in case a war between Turkey and Bulgaria breaks out. That question is not new. This question has been talked and written about for hundreds of years. Earlier, before Germany and Italy had been one great empire, but several small countries and kingdoms which did not live in peace, the Austrian agenda was mainly about intervening in their affairs and increasing the Austrian’s influence. From 1866 onwards, after the war between Austria and Prussia with Italy, Austria had to renounce any influence it could have had in the united Germany and Italy. From then on, Austria had two great, strong neighbours and has to be satisfied with being able to do what it can do alone. But now, Austria’s foreign politics can concentrate on Balkan politics again like it did in earlier centuries with its empire and Turkey. It is in the nature of every great empire to desire to increase their influence and greaten its borders. The grand global powers like England, France, Germany, and America strive towards conquering new countries in other parts of the world like Asia and Africa. Small Italy has won several oversea territories in Africa, even though it was done under great strain and with hardly any benefits. Russia is broadening their borders into Asia and if Russia is not hindered by Japan in the current war, Russia wants to become the main power of Asia.

However, Austria, because of their geographical position, is not able to conquer other parts of the world. There are no pathways with the oceans and prepared to even do so. Austria can also not take anything from its neighbours, the great powers of Russia, Germany, and Italy. What remains is that part of the world: the small Balkan countries: Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, and Montenegro as well as old, weak Turkey. Austria wanted to take some of Turkey for itself wasn’t it for the other great powers standing in the way.

Now, Austrian politics addresses the Balkan in depth once again. But not only the other powers stand in its way, also some of its own people are against it. The Germans do not want Austria to have any more Slavics (Peoples on the Balkan are mostly Slavics), as Austria would become a Slavic state causing the German influence to weaken. Hungarians are against it for the same reason, because they are scared of the slaves. Hungarians would prefer Austria to take Poland away from Russia. First, they could take revenge on Russia which helped suppress them in 1848. Second, the new Slavs Austria would gain come from the Austrian side, not the Hungarian one, like the Balkan countries.

Having said the truth, Austrian politics might want to desire more of Poland - however, Russia is big and strong and is not to be messed with and what remains is the Balkan. And now, Austria almost managed to win some land there. After the Russo-Turkish war of 1877, Austria got the approval of the Berlin Congress to occupy two Turkish lands with its military for an undisclosed amount of time: Bosnia and . Ostensibly, both countries remain Turkish, but Austria is occupying both to establish order there. Russia, always the holder of the Slavic peoples, agreed to this, because Russia already agreed to Austria gaining Bosnia-Herzegovina before the war so Austria would not interfere in the war.

However later on, Russia regretted this whole thing: It realised that Russia had gained nothing in the war while investing huge amounts of money into people. Meanwhile, Austria, which did nothing at all, gained two countries. Russia started to hold resentment against Austria and watched Austria as well as paid close attention to the countries on the Balkan. Austria should not be able to gain any more land.

To be clear, Bosnia and Herzegovina is not enough for Austria. These are two poor countries which only need to receive money. Austria also desires Macedonia with the port city Thessaloniki. If Austria took Thessaloniki in possession, it would gain access to the Black Sea, expand its trade and increase influence. But Russia stood in its path. Besides, Austrian politics sufficed to pay attention to the condition in the Balkan countries to stay as they are. That means, several small, but weak countries as to harm Austria should remain like this for a for years. Both Russia and Austria strive to gain influence there. Austria has the biggest authority in Armenia, Russia in Montenegro; the tables have turned in Bulgaria and Serbia. Some time Austria had more to say, some time Russia had more to say. Lately, both realised the great disorder prevailing in the Balkan countries. Every country does whatever they want as they are either reliant on Austria or Russia. Furthermore, both countries agreed to keep order and kept the Balkan countries to wage war with Turkey because of Macedonia. However, Turkey demanded to introduce reforms in Macedonia to reassure the Macedonians.

The Turkish, the Balkan countries, the Macedonians - until now they all had to stay quiet. But now, as Russia’s hands are tied in Asia because of the war with Japan, they are starting to bestir again. Turkey gathered a lot of military, Bulgaria is getting ready for war, and the Macedonians are restarting their revolution again.

And now the question remains: What will Austria do? - Voices multilaterally claim that Austria, which was not even afraid of Russia, will take the chance to occupy Macedonia and Thessaloniki. The Austrian government denies these allegations, mostly because it does not want to start off badly with Italy. Namely because Italy has also started to mingle in the Balkan affairs. It desires Albania. Austria on the other hand dislikes these schemes, because it does not want Italy to be its neighbour on all sides. But the

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king of Italy is the son-in-law of a Montenegrin prince and sees itself as a big part of the families of the Balkan.

In the end, it comes down to this: if a war breaks out on the Balkan, then Austria is going to use that opportunity to march into Macedonia with its military. It is going to occupy Serbia as well and King Peter will sit weak and alone on his throne, not being able to do anything. Russia will be indignant, but will also have to keep quiet temporarily. Only Turkey’s and Italy’s reactions are still unclear: Whether they are going to war with Austria or they want to reconcile with each other in peace. In any case, one thing is for sure: If war breaks out on the Balkan, Austria will have to intervene.

The Zabolotiv trials

Presently, a trial against the antisemite excess taking place in Kolomyia. The riot took place on September 11th of the previous year during the local fair in Zabolotiv. The accusatorial report reads as follows: On September 11th during the fair antisemitic riots started to rise. Several thousand farmers of the area gathered around and suddenly a rumour formed that Jews have murdered a farm woman and robbed 300 guilds. First the farmers gathered around the house of Salomon Dulberg, who had been threatened by a farmer before. Therefore, it is clear that the rumour has been spread on purpose to persecute Jews. The congregated farmers started to ransack the Jewish homes. But nobody had hurt anyone before, did not kill or rob a woman. The farmers searched the houses of Dulberg, Chaim Loker, Dud Jupiter, Layzer Burg, and Feivel Enker. As nothing of interest could be found, the mob started to become impatient and started to batter the Jewish people there who started to point at God. As the Jewish people had started to run away, the farmers threw stones at them, with frightening results. If individual Jews stayed in their houses, the mob attacked the houses, threw stones at them, and threatened to completely destroy them. At the shoemaker Layzer Burg’s place, the journeyman Yirachmiel Gier was found and beaten. Afterwards the farmers gathered in front of the house and started yelling, accusing the people inside as murderers. They smashed every window and did a lot of damage. They did the same thing to other houses in the same alley and other alleys as well. This excess during which a number of Jews were beaten, lasted for several hours until the police arrived and expelled the crowd.

As the charge claims, the excesses were neither planned nor bursted out of nowhere. The Jewish people hid in basements and attics. Furthermore, it was not possible to find all the farmers who participated in the riot. 31 accused farmers are standing on the dock. The trials will last over eight days. Over 110 witnesses have been summoned to court. The head of the jury court is regional court judge Koronitzky, the accessors are: the council members Bilewicz, Vyshinksy, Dashevsky, and Feral. Prosecutor Drohobytskyi represents the prosecution. The Jewish representative is Dr Zipser. The judicial agents: Hashevsky, Mislavski, and Yurtschenko. The first day of the hearings resulted in nothing important. Some defendants and witnesses have been interrogated. The defendants deny everything.

The only interesting statement came from police chief Jan Orzech, who explained that there had been talks about antisemitic riots a few weeks prior. The farmers stated that 6,000 Cossacks would come and murder Jewish and Polish people. The witness informed the head of the provincial government about this, who in turn banned assemblies of the Ruthenian people.

Political news.

Austria-Hungary. The delegation finished their consultations and agreed on an imperial decree. The emperor thanked the delegation through the minister count Goluchowski for their zealous work and approving everything the government demanded for the military: New cannons, new battleships and an augmentation of the military navy. - Rumour has it that the government will convoke the delegation again this year, namely in May. They should also handle the budget (regulation of revenues and expenses) for 1905. The government wants everything to be finished in case it is necessary to dissolve the Hungarian Reichstag in case no delegation can be elected.

The Austrian imperial assembly will convene on March 8th to consulate about the recruit act, which is about how many soldiers should be drafted this year. The Czechs will obstruct the recruit act again until they sign the law as always. If the government did not implement the law in parliament it has to revert to §14 . Still, the imperial assembly will be adjourned.

It is not certain yet what the end of the obstruction will be in Hungary. It seems that the obstruction will grow stronger because the opposition is not satisfied with the minister of war’s explanation about the concession of the Hungarian military. It seems as if the government needs to dissolve the Reichstag and call for re-elections.

Turkey. The Turkish government shows once again that it does not intend to follow through with the reforms that Austria-Hungary and Russia are trying to implement in Macedonia. One point of the reformation intends to establish a police force in Macedonia under orders of foreign officers. At first, Turkey agreed which led to all powers to send high officers there for this reason. An Italian general has now been appointed to high command of the police. Suddenly, Turkey had the belief that according to Turkish religion a Christian is not allowed to command over Turks. Therefore, foreign officers can only be counselors to a Turkish commander. The other powers agreed because they did not want to bother with Turkey. Now, Turkey has introduced a newrequest that the foreign officers should wear Turkish uniforms. Turkey claims that it is in everyone’s best interest because if the officers would wear foreign uniforms the Turkish people would recognise and persecute them. The powers do not want to agree on this term and it is uncertain who will execute it.

Generally, Turkey lifted its head a bit since the Russo-Japanese war. It is strongly trying to control the Balkan countries. Turkey is probably striving for war to take revenge.

News.

Jewish news.

(Krakow). Not long ago, a fifteen year old, Jewish girl - Gitel Epstein - went missing from a village. Now she has been found in a monastery in Krakow, where she had been baptised. The parents asked the court that the child be brought back to them. But because the parents were not married legally, the court refused their plea. They had lawfully wedded and their attorney demanded now to return their child to them. Until now, the court has not yet responded to the appeal.

(Husiatyn). A Jewish girl from Russia who wanted to go to their parents in America has been brought across the border by smugglers by night. Halfway there, they had been robbed and shot by Cosaks.

(Warsaw). Some Jewish soldiers have been hanged in the citadel because they wanted to desert the army.

(Moscow). Multiple Jewish merchants and artisans, whose parents had lived in Moscow for fifty years, have suddenly been banished from the city. The misery is great.

(Homyel). The Jewish emigration from our city is getting severe, in one day 300 Jewish families have left the city - From Mohyliv-Podilskyi and other provinces as well are Jews emigrating. In a short period of time over 1,200 Jews have emigrated from the province Kovel.

(Buchrest). The government passed a new law against Jews. According to this law, Jews are only allowed to settle in a village only if the community agrees upon this and if they can provide proof of their morality from the village they have previously lived in.

Telegraphs.

Austria and Turkey.

Vienna. There are claims being said with certainty that the Austrian military will move into Macedonia next month. Austria asserts that according to article 25 of the Treaty of Berlin that aside from Bosnia and , also a part of Macedonia up to the city of Mitrovica should be occupied. However, Turkey has to be informed beforehand.

The Russo-Japanese war.

St Petersburg. As is being reported, a lot of Japanese military personnel had arrived in Manchuria. Port Arthur is occupied. The Chinese ally with Japan. The Russian civilians are living in fear. Up until now, over 50,000 Japanese men have been dropped in Korea.

Port Arthur. The Japanese shelled Port Arthur during the night of February 25th and did damage. However, they have not managed to block the harbour or damage a battleship.

St Petersburg. Russia is very mad at Korea which went into an alliance with Japan, according to which Japan can do whatever it wants in Korea. Russia explains that the Korean emperor has been forced to enter into the contract. The contract is therefore devoid of any value.

Berlin. Local newspapers report that the outposts of the Japanese and Russian military encountered each other in Korea and shot at each other. The Japanese deny this. It is unknown who is telling the truth.

Vienna. Socialist students gathered in front of the Russian consulate and yelled: Down with Russia! - There are also reports about demonstrations against Russia in Krakow.

London. The minister president explained in parliament that England will fight tooth and nail against Russia, if they mingle on the issue of Tibet; England has the biggest right of influencing Tibet.

Paris. The minister of foreign affairs Delcassé apparently wants to terminate the Franco-Russian Alliance because it is evident that Russia is weak.

Vladivostok. Japan is bombing the city.

Cologne. The “Kleine Zeitung” reports that people in St Petersburg are convinced that a war between Russia and England with America will break out soon. In this case, Germany and France would ally with Russia. Therefore, World War will break out.

St Petersburg. News from Port Arthur reports that the Japanese will receive a command to charge Port Arthur on March 1st.

St Petersburg. The tsar decided that he will only make his way to the battlefield if his health allows it as is being rumoured in court circles.

Port Arthur. The Russian admiral Stessel commanded an order of the day, because the Japanese strive to conquer Port Arthur with all their might. Furthermore, it is the duty of all Russians to defend the city. We have to fight until we win or fall.

Herausgeber und verantwortlicher Redact. OSIAS H. WILF recte Weinstock

Druck von E. Salat Witwe des U.W. Salat, Lemberg Kasimirgasse 35