Kerensky’s Paper Protests Statement of Petlura’s Witnesses; Cable From Petlura’s Jewish Minister Creates Stir; French Must Side With Schwartzbard, “Liberte” Asserts (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
The center of interest at the morning session of the fourth day of the trial of Sholom Schwartzbard, slayer of Semion Petlura in revenge for the anti-Jewish massacres in the Ukraine, was the testimony of Alexander Shulgin, former Minister of Foreign Affairs in Petlura’s cabinet. Shulgin attempted to convince the court that Schwartzbard killed Petlura on Instructions from the Soviet Government in Moscow.
“I am here not to defend my friend Petlura, but to accuse Schwartzbard,” Shulgin began his testimony in a dignified tone. “I assert that Schwartzbard did not kill Petlura to avenge the Jews but because he is a Soviet agent.”
“Can you prove this?” M. Torres demanded, pointing out that the investigation of the French police confirmed that Schwartzbard was not connected with any political party but the League of Human Rights.
Shulgin made a move to interrupt his interrogator in an attempt to weaken the impression of Torres’ question.
Torres flared up and exclaimed: “You are a German agent!”
For a moment Shulgin appeared embarrassed, then he made an insulting remark on Torres’ address and turned his back to the attorney. This resulted in a tumult in the courtroom.
“What proofs have you to show that Schwartzbard was a Bolshevik agent?” Torres insisted.
“I have documents,” Shulgin answered. “Besides I refuse to believe it was a coincidence that when Petlura was assassinated in Paris an attempt was made in Warsaw at the same time to assassinate Pilsudski.”
In order to prove that Shulgin was friendly toward France, Cesare Campinchi, head of the counsel for the Petlura party, started to read documents. Torres then read documents proving that while Shulgin was Petlura’s ambassador to Bulgaria, he concluded a treaty against France. Torres also read a letter sent by Petlura to the German government assuring it of his friendship and fidelity and a letter Petlura sent to the German military headquarters glorifying Germany.
“It is my deepest conviction,” Shulgin continued, “that not only the Jews but the entire population of the Ukraine suffered from the pogroms, including the Ukrainian peasants. The massacres were the result of indignation and excitement caused by the Bolshevik Cheka among the peasants. Not only thousands of Jews but also non-Jews suffered from the massacres.
“The Ukrainian government granted full rights to all national minorities, especially to the Jews. This will, I am sure, be confirmed even by the Jewish witnesses Heinrich Sliosberg, Vladimir Tiomkin and I. Tcherikower.
“The pogroms were started by the Bolsheviks in 1917,” Shulgin proceeded. “But I must acknowledge that the most terrible pogroms took place at the end of 1918 and the beginning of 1919, because of the anarchy spread among the Ukrainians by the bandits of Denikin’s and Makhno’s armies. The Ukrainian government fought the pogroms. Petlura did not have the supreme power and cannot therefore be held responsible for the pogroms. The majority of the Jews, being poor, were inclined toward Bolshevism. The Jewish youth dreamt of entering the Bolshevik Red Army. This provoked the peasants to pogroms, which were difficult to combat.
“I swear that Petlura was not responsible for the pogroms. History will judge us,” Shulgin declared, concluding his testimony.
Schwartzbard leaped to his feet, flailing the air with his right arm and shouting:
“You–! You–!”
For the first time during the trial he was incoherent and unable to find words. His body quivered. Recovering speech, he cried:
“Do you remember the terrible days of 1910 and 1911 at Kiev? Do you remember the accusations that Jews were using Christian blood for Easter ceremonies? You have me because I am a Jew!”
Shulgin, who had turned his back to the speaker, whipped around and screamed.
“No, because you are a Bolshevik.”
“Prove is Prove it then,” Schwartzbard retorted, dropping back into his seat.
Dr. Claude, one of the experts called by the prosecution was the next witness. Following him, testimony was given by the Ukrainian general, Udovitchenko, who is a member of the Left Ukrainian party of the Socialist Revolutionaries. Udovitchenko stated Ukrainians cannot be held responsible for the pogroms.
Asked by the defense counsel why the pogroms took place only in the Ukraine and not in other parts of Russia. Udovitchenko answered that hatred toward Jews was especially strong among the Ukrainian people since the Bellis trial which took place in Kiev, and also because the Czarist government tried to artificially stimulate anti-Jewish feeling among the Ukrainian peasants.
“But I have documents proving that on May 24th and June 11th soldiers under your command perpetrated pogroms in Schargorod.” Torres declared. This declaration created a tremendous sensation in the courtroom. All eyes turned on Udovitchenko who paled under the scrutiny. “My division.” he exclaimed, “was never in the city you mention.”
Torres then read a document showing that Udovitchenko’s division was stationed in Schargorod during the days when the pogroms took place there.
“It is possible that slight incidents occurred.” Udovitchenko was compelled to admit “But they were immediately quelled.” he added.
“Yes, they were quelled after hundreds were killed” was the ironic reply of Schwartzbard’s counsel.
“Not a single Jew was killed,” Udovitchenko insisted.
Torres then declared that he has official documents proving that many Jews were killed in Schargorod.
“It is possible that those Jews were killed in the clashes between the Bokviks and the Ukrainians. However, many non-Jewish victims also fell at the time.”
“And who was the chief of the Ukrainian army then,” Torres inquired.
“Petlura was the chief, from July, 1919,” Udovitchenko replied. To Toms’ question as to what Peflura’s position was previous to July 1919, Udovitchenko stated that Petlura was a member of the Ukrainian Directorate.
“You are hiding the information you can give us,” Torres challenged the witness.
Udovitchenko then asserted that Tumnik was the head of the Ukrainian army. This statement excited Torres who exclaimed. “I am ready to lose the cast if it is proved that Peflura was not the chief of the Ukrainian army.”
“Then the case is lost.” Campbell declared.
Torres told the court that Tumnik was also a pogromist. “I am sorry that the Soviet Government granted him amnesty.” he said, pointing out that every pogrom, whether organized by the Bulshivist, Makhnoist or Denltin troops was criminal. “However, Budenny, the Bulshevik general shot his Cossacks win perpetrated the pogroms while Pedra did not punish those guilty.”
“What if Lenin had been guilty of pogroms?” Campinchi asked Torres.
“He would also be dishonored.” the counsel replied.
Campinchi insisted that Petlura did punish those guilty of the pogroms. “He shot Attarman Semosenko of Proskutor,” Campinchi insisted. Torres demanded that Campinchi produce the order issued for Semosenko’s execution. Campinchi did not answer this challenge.
Udovitchenko fished his testimony entirely compromised. The impression that his soldiers organized the pogroms and that he was not sincere in his testimony with regard to Petlura’s rule as chief of the Ukrainian army prevailed in the courtroom.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
