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Harbin Jewish Merchant Murdered by White Guardists; Community Terrorized

July 26, 1932
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The Jewish community in Harbin is in a state of panic as a result of the incitement of the “White Guardist” press which has been illustrated by the murder of a Jewish official of the East Chinese Railway, Yecheskiel Alter.

Alter was murdered presumably because he refused to be intimidated by the threat of the “White Guardists” who demanded he resign his post so that their own representative might be named.

Eight “White Guardists” entered Alter’s house at night, declading they came to make a search of the premises, which is a daily occurrence.

The “White Guardists” manacled Alter and his wife and then shot the former dead.

The “White Guardist” press is now carrying a vigorous incitement against the Jews on the ground that they conduct Communist activities.

Seventeen respectable Jewish merchants, of the middle class and known to be nationally minded were arrested because they gave small donations to the Mopr, which is the Communist Red Cross.

Their names were discovered among a list of Mopr contributors. The Jewish merchants claim that they were not aware of the aims of the Mopr, the their contributions were slight and were made because of business relations with Russian officials in grain export.

Despite these allegations, the homes of the Jews were searched and private Yiddish correspondence confiscated which the White Guardists charge is Communist propaganda.

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