(J. T. A. Mail Service)
Levi Isaac Vilensky, a Jewish refugee from Russia, was murdered by a Russian, formerly a member of the monarchist army, at the railway station Chailar. M. Bichowsky Vilensky’s brother-in-law who was associated with him in his railway contracting work was seriously wounded by the officer. The murderer, Ruskin, was arrested by the Chinese authorities.
The attack took place under circumstances which have caused great indignation in the Jewish community of Chailar which number 100 families. Chailar is a center where many former monarchist officers of the armies of Attaman Semionow, Kalmikow and Anenkow have found refuge and where they continue their pogrom agitation.
Ruskin, who was employed as an electrician was on a telephone pole repairing wires near the Chailar railway station. He overheard a conversation in Yiddish between Vilensky and Bichowsky, who were waiting below for a train. Ruskin came down from the pole and asked the two: “Are you Jews?’ When Bichowsky replied: “Yes, and if so, what of it?” Ruskin took out his knife and attacked them. Vilensky died within two hours. Bichowsky’s condition is serious.
When Ruskin was arrested. several of the station officials attempted to establish that he was drunk, but the murderer was insulted by this and stated. “No, I was sober and I killed these Jews consciously. My only regret is that they were two instead of ten.” Asked whether he knew whom he was slaying he stated that he did not know who they were.
The death of Vilensky. who is a scion of the family of the famous Berditcheff Rabbi, Levi Itzchok, caused wide mourning in the Far Eastern Jewish community.
The Chailar Jewish community sent the body of the victim to Harbin where his funeral was held on July 14. General mourning was proclaimed by the community and all Jewish stores and workshops were closed for the day.
Leaders of the Jewish community in Harbin have decided to submit a memorandum to the Chinese Governor General concerning the increased anti-Semitic propaganda of the Russian monarchists. It was also decided that the community should secure the services of an attorney at Ruskin’s trial.
The murder is traced here to the anti-Semitic propaganda conducted by the Russian monarchist press. Four Russian monarchist dailies, which are distinctly anti-Semitic, appear in Harbin.
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