Anti-Semitic pogrom propaganda is growing among the members of the Communist party, it is evident from an indignant article by Maxim Gorky, published in today’s “Pravda.”
In his article against anti-Semitism and the mehtods of combatting it, the famous Russian writer declares that this week he received a proclamation headed “An Order for Every Communist” consigned to “Communists committees” urging them to organize a Jewish pogrom. “Arise you Russians and other nationalities and kill the Jews,” the proclamation agitated.
Expressing certainty that the authors of the proclamation are not Communists, Gorky says: “This dirty sheet which was written grammatically and very shamefully, does not astonish me. I have seen dozens of them during my thirty years of fighting anti-Semitism. I am indignant-and very much so-about something else more serious. I ask myself how it is possible that in the thirteenth year since the revolution such sheets can be published? What kind of cultural sphere is it that admits the development of such disgusting filth as anti-Semitism? Is it possible that we may believe the fierce assertions of the White Guard press abroad that even the Communists are infected with anti-Semitism?”
Saying that there is no question in Russia whether anti-Semitism should be combatted, Gorky emphasizes that to them two other questions should, however, be asked: first, is the fight conducted with sufficient devotion? Second, are the methods correct? Gorki expresses the opinion that those issuing the proclamation will be unsuccessful.
JTA has documented Jewish history in real-time for over a century. Keep our journalism strong by joining us in supporting independent, award-winning reporting.
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.
