[Inclosure.]
Bottuschan, or Botuschang, Roumania,
May 30.
(Original correspondence.)
Persecutions of the Jews at this place.—For
a long time hatred of the Jews, among the non-Jewish population of
this place, has been rife, and symptoms of an approaching storm have
been here and there observable. The “gentlemen students” especially
hope to win laurels by indiscriminately maltreating every person of
Jewish race-On Saturday, May 28, these “gentlemen” assembled, and,
with the aid of alow mob, commenced the “Jew hunt” by attacking and
insulting some unoffending prom-enaders. They next rushed, like a
pack of hounds let loose, with loud shouts, into those streets where
most of the Jews reside and rioted fearfully. Not a window remained
unbroken. They broke into many dwellings, and maltreated everybody
that came in their way. A scene bordering on barbarism, of which the
writer of these lines was a witness, occurred in a small house,
occupied by Mr. St., (a gentleman engaged in mercantile pursuits,)
with his large family. He was sitting quietly and peaceably, When a
furious crowd broke his window-shutters and demolished his
window-panes. The poor man begged them to spare him, as he was the
father of five small children, and as his aged parents were living
with him. His prayers were vain.
With derisive laughter and curses, the crowd shouted, “Jew, come out
here; we want to drag you through the streets by the beard!” The
door was then forced with an ax, and the monsters rushed into the
room, beating St. and likewise his wife (who was confined at the
time) in such a manner that her recovery is almost despaired of; nor
did they spare the grandfather, an old man of seventy years, nor his
aged wife, who was lying sick in bed. And where was the police? At a
safe distance, probably thinking, “Fire that don’t burn me I don’t
put out! “Many persons even assert that a portion of the police were
in league with the rioters.
In another street, from fifty to sixty resolute Jews had assembled,
waiting for the moment when they should be attacked, intending to
defend themselves and their families. Several gentlemen belonging to
the “better class,” whom I will not name, as they are very well
known here as instigators of the riot, addressed the little band as
follows: “What, are you vagabonds going to defend yourselves? Are
you in your own country?” A whistle was given by these worthies as a
signal, and thereupon this band of courageous men was surrounded by
upward of one hundred students and street boys. Yet no fight
resulted; very probably because it is easier to deal with single
[Page 653]
persons. Scarcely had the
students departed when these men, anticipating no evil, retired to
their dwellings. A quarter of an hour later the same maneuver was
performed here as in the other streets.
In the course of these proceedings, the temple of Mr. M. Pollitzer
received very hard treatment, and a small house of prayer was almost
demolished. Not even was the synagogue spared. A heavy rain, which
fell about 12½ o’clock in the night, accompanied with wind, put a
stop to the mischief.
On Sunday morning, at 8 o’clock, the ball was re-opened, and it was
with great difficulty that order was restored at 7 o’clock p.m.
Many Jews were severely wounded, and it is stated that some even fell
victims to the rage of the mob. Old men, women, and children were
abused without mercy in the streets, and trampled upon; some were
even stoned. The loss in stolen property is not so great as was at
first supposed; still, robberies were
committed. Mr. F., a watchmaker, had his show-window broken open,
and several valuable watches stolen, and many articles destroyed. In
the public-houses the spirituous liquors were poured out into the
streets.
Quiet is now tolerably well restored, but trade is at a complete
stand-still, since all Israelitish stores are closed, and will
remain so until are-enforcement of police comes from Jassy.
[Note by the Editor.—Bottuschan is an
important town in Moldavia, not far from the Austrian frontier. It
has from 20,000 to 25,000 inhabitants, and its markets are more
frequented than any others in the country.]
