(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
Rudolph Samoilovitch, commander of the ice-breaker Krassin which rescued the crew of General Nobile’s airship “Italia,” arrived in Moscow. Interviewed by the correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Samoilovitch declared that he is proud that he never concealed his Jewish origin. He considers it an honor to belong to such a distinguished people, the most humanitarian race, he stated.
During the Odessa pogrom of 1905, Samoilovitch led a self defense group of thirty-eight, of whom only seven survived. In 1909 he was asked by the Czarist government to join a polar commission, he related. In reply he wired that he cannot come because Jews were forbidden to enter the capital. Later he accepted a special invitation, but declared at the session that he was a Jew and would withdraw if he is not desired. Upon being pressed to remain, he assented.
Samoilovitch stated that he continues to be interested in Jewish affairs and hopes to visit America where he will have an opportunity to see American Jews.
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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.
