(By our Washington Correspondent)
Persecutions of Zionists in Soviet Russia were described to Senator William E. Borah, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, by Dr. Chaim Arlosoroff, prominent Zionist leader and representative of the Palestine Jewish Labor Federation, and Max Rhoade, National President of the Avukah, American Student Zionist Federation, in a conference with the Idaho Senator here today.
More than 700 Zionists have been sentenced and deported to Siberia, Kirgisia, the north-eastern wastes of Narim, the Ural and the Solovey Islands, and in addition several hundreds are in prison awaiting the pronouncement of their fate by the Bolshevist authorities, Senator Borah was informed. The persecuted Zionists are mainly youths, especially university students, and the Avukah, as an American Zionist university organization, is particularly interested in the fate of their Zionist comrades in Russia, Senator Borah was told.
The persecution of the Zionists is conducted in Soviet Russia under the pretext that Zionism forms a part of the political system of British imperialism, and that the cultivation of the Hebrew language fosters the interests of reactionary clericalism among the Jews, Dr. Arlosoroff stated. In truth, however, he declared, these victims of persecution in Russia are only devoted to furthering the establishment of the Jewish Homeland in Palestine, which is being developed under a mandate of the League of Nations and was endorsed in a resolution adopted by the United States Congress in 1922.
Detailing the mistreatment of the victims of Soviet persecution, Dr. Arlosoroff related that the centers of deportation are situated in regions where under the Czarist regime only criminals under heavy penalty were punished. “Places, consisting of 3 to 5 houses, situated at a distance of hundreds, sometimes more than a thousand miles from a railway station, with mail service only three times a year, are selected to form the residence of the deported Zionists.” Dr. Arlosoroff added. “The G. P. U. (the Soviet political secret service) provides each of the deportees with only about $3.00 a month. The convicts are prohibited from walking beyond the bounds of the village. Deportees who fail to present themselves for daily registration are considered attempting to escape, and are punished by penitentiary. Sick persons suffering from acute attacks of fever are dragged daily to register. In Kirgisia more than 40 Zionist deportees have been punished by imprisonment on account of letters found at their homes. Every second month the location of the deportees is changed in order to prevent “adjustment” and acquisition of a suitable occupation.
Dr. Arlosoroff also related that the entire national executive committee of the “Hechaluz,” the Zionist organization for the training of pioneers for emigration to Palestine, was arrested and the organization disbanded.
In a memorandum submitted by Dr. Arlosoroff to Senator Borah, the latter was asked to use his influence with liberal opinion in America to the end that the following demands be granted by the Russian Soviet Government: “(1) Release of the imprisoned and deported Zionist political prisoners; (2) Legalization of Zionism in Russia–which is the only country in the world that refuses to recognize the high and worthy aims of the Zionist movement; (3) Legalization of the Hebrew language as the medium of instruction and of educational activities of all kinds; (4) Legalization of the Palestine pioneer movement for professional training in agriculture and crafts; and (5) Abolition of the prohibitive passport fees for emigrants to Palestine.”
Senator Borah at the conclusion of the interview stated that he was deeply impressed with the facts placed before him, and authorized the statement that he is following with great interest the efforts that are being made to rescue the persecuted Zionists in Russia, and that he will take under serious and sympathetic consideration the entire subject as presented to him by the delegation, with a view of rendering whatever assistance is within his power.
Michael Rosenberg, sanitary district trustee of Chicago and Jacob Lindheimer, former county treasurer, died at St. Luke’s Hospital, Chicago. Both had been active in Jewish and civic affairs.
Mr. Lindheimer, who was 68 years old, became assistant city treasurer in 1911. He served in this post for twelve years and was elected to the office by the Republican County Board.
Mr. Rosenberg was 42 years old. In 1922 he was elected sanitary district trustee.
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