Claiming to be in possession of exact information, derived from the most reliable sources in Russia, a group of Hebrew authors, and communal workers, led by Chaim Nachman Bialik, Hebrew poet, today issued a statement here drawing attention of Jewish public opinion throughout the word to “the truth about Russia.”
This statement was issued following a meeting of the authors and communal workers presided over by Mr. Bialik. It declares that millions of Russian Jews are facing the danger of annihilation as the result of the despotic and merciless policies of the communists. It urges the Jewish press “that the time has come when it must fulfil its duty to voice vigorous protests daily. Russian Jewry is living in extreme material and moral distress,” the statement declares. “The most atrocious terrorization is being applied openly and more so secretly against the Hebrew language, the Hebrew culture, Jewish religion and Zionism in Russia. If world Jewry will not awaken to save their Russian brethren, so called, this will be a shameful crime, which will never be forgotten,” the statement continues.
“One of the chief factors, putting to sleep public opinion, is the part played by the Jewish press, which fails to divulge the truth about Russia, and the various visitors who return from (Continued on Page 4)
A striking feature of the statement is the attack it contains on Reuben Brainin, Hebrew writer of New York, who is travelling throughout the world, championing the cause of Jewish colonization in Russia. The statement expresses a “particular indignation at the acts of Reuben Brainin, who is now playing a treacherous role in constantly spreading false news and thus assisting the Jewish section of the Communist Party and all of its persecutions against Judaism and Zionism in Russia.”
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.
