The Roumanian Legation in the United States has sent the United Roumanian Jews of America a statement in reply to its inquiry concerning the killing of six young Jews as they were crossing the River Dniester at Soroca.
The reply from the Legation, signed by Mr. J. Rosenthal, the Technical Councillor, points out that one of those killed was a non-Jew, and goes on to state that the incident occurred because a state of siege still exists at the Dniester frontier.
After expressing the hope that its reply will prove satisfactory to all concerned in the tragic incident, the Legation communication proceeds:
On the night of January 8th., between 8 and 9 p.m., six individuals were seen on the banks of the Dniester, one kilometer distance from Soroca, attempting to cross the frontier illegally. The guards issued the usual warning, but the individuals failed to obey and so the guards were, forced to fire, killing five; one died later.
It is to be considered that the Dniester frontier is still in a state of siege, which provides that any individual within an area of 19 kilometres from the Dniester after 6 p.m. must obey the summons of the guards. If they disobey the guards are instructed to fire.
Not all those killed were Jews, one of them being a Christian, and a Roumanian citizen.
The United Roumanian Jews of America does not consider the matter closed by the Legation’s reply, Mr. Herman Speier, the Secretary of the Organisation tells the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. The mater will be considered further, he said, and the Administrative Committee will see what other steps can be taken.
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