No. 478.
Mr. Peixotto to Mr. Hunter.
Consulate of the United States of America,
Bucharest, February 10, 1872. (Received March
9.)
No. 22.]
Sir: A deputation sent by the Jewish
inhabitants of Ismail waited upon me this morning;, and, presenting
a very detailed and circumstantial account of the recent violences
perpetrated in that town, besought my intercession in behalf of
their still suffering and imperiled condition.
The deputation, composed of intelligent men long resident in Ismail,
stated that for more than “five years the Israelites of the country
had been repeatedly subjected to similar acts of barbarism, and to
this day no redress had been obtained.
“In depths of despair they presented themselves to the
representatives of a Government distinguished the world over by its
justice, enlightenment, and humanity, believing that their unhappy
condition might be alleviated should an effort be made in their
behalf.
“That it rested with the central government to adopt such measures as
would not only suppress the present violence, but, by punishment of
the guilty and indemnity to the innocent, (never hitherto
practiced,) serve as an exam pie and be security for the
future.”
I replied that, anxious as my Government was to see the inhabitants
of every land protected in their lives and property, and a stop put
to persecutions that disgraced humanity, I could not officially
interfere in the internal affairs of the country, unless the rights
of an American citizen resident herein had been invaded that I had
been told this was the case a few days ago respecting one of the
persons illegally arrested in Ismail, but upon investigation had
learned otherwise.
Nevertheless, there were certain principles which all governments
were bound to respect, and when these were outraged nations were
concerned to see the barbaric land brought within the pale of
civilization. But interference to this end was of the most delicate
of all proceedings, and was to be guarded with jealous
circumspection.
Happily the good relations which I had the honor to hold with the
government of the Prince might permit me to speak in their behalf
without being misconstrued, and this I would do. At a later hour I
saw the minister, and, at my request, an interview was granted to
the deputation, to whom he listened with great attention, and at the
close
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requested their
communication should be reduced to writing and signed, and he would
on the basis thereof grant their prayer in so far at least as the
appointing of a special commission. He added that strict
investigation should be made, impartial justice rendered, and the
guilty punished.
To the extent of his authority he remarked he was resolved to put an
end to the persecutions of the Israelites, and those who were
culpable of inciting or practicing such should be made to
suffer.
As presenting their version of the affair, I have the honor to
inclose a copy of the petition (translated) presented by the
deputation to the minister.
I am informed that tranquillity has been restored, and a sufficient
military force present to maintain the peace.
I am, &c., &c.,
[Inclosure.]
Copy petition addressed to the minister of
home affairs.
Bucharest, February 10, 1872.
Mr. Minister: The undersigned, a
deputation sent from the Jewish community of Ismail, come to
submit to your excellency the following facts respecting the
deplorable events which have transpired at Ismail:
On the 24th of December (5th January, N. S.) a rumor was spread
in the city of a theft of some 100 ducats and two small spoons
having been committed in the cathedral of the town, and of the
church having been profaned by the wretch who had perpetrated
the robbery. Suspicion falling immediately on an individual
called Jacob Silber, a renegade Israelite of Lithouauia, who,
deserting the Russian army, had come to Ismail some three months
previous and was working at a tailor’s. This renegade, on being
arrested, first deposed that he had committed the crime in an
understanding with his master, the tailor, and that the stolen
objects were hidden in the store of the house of the latter. The
premises being thoroughly searched, nothing was found, but the
tailor was nevertheless arrested. At length the thief, for
reasons he probably could best explain, made a second
declaration, in which he charged that he had committed the theft
at the instigation of Mr. D. Goldschlaeger, who, on the day of
the robbery, he said, had told him, “Go to the church, steal the
holy objects, bring them to me, and I shall make you the richest
man in the city, and you shall be a saint with the Jews.” After
this declaration the said Goldschlaeger, one of the prominent
merchants of that place, known since fifteen years as an
honorable and honest man, was seized, kept four days in the
police, and then thrown into prison, where he lies since; and
being a feeble and sickly man, is in imminent danger of life.
Mr. Goldschlaeger, the day when the thief alleged he had met him
taking a walk and told him to go to commit the crime, had just
come home from the residence of the undersigned Goldenberg,
where, in deep bitterness, he had, according to the prescription
of our religion, mourned over the loss of a beloved child just
deceased of angina diphterica. This fact is attested by four
witnesses. Moreover our rabbi was and is still imprisoned
because, as it is alleged, the stolen objects were found in the
latrines of the Chan Pas-catoirtz, where live about forty
families, and where happened also to live the rabbi. This is the
only ground upon which his arrest has been made.
We therefore implore you, Mr. Minister, to set free these two
innocent men, for whom the whole city is ready to give the
utmost guarantee.
A certain Dropulo, interpreter at the police, who came to ask
money from the Jews, threatening that otherwise he would
denounce them as accomplices, in consequence of which some
Israelites gave him, out of fear, one, two, and three Napoleons
each, is the man whom we suspect that, for motives of extortion,
has instigated the thief to denounce Mr. Goldschlaeger as
accomplice, knowing that money could be gained for setting him
free. It is evident, Mr. Minister, that the whole story has been
invented to be used against the Israelites and provoke the
barbarous scenes which continued for seven days. Many houses
have been not only plundered of their contents, but even
demolished; many families have fled to Tultscha, while others
have been driven forth into the streets. Those of the rioters
who were arrested were set free the same day. In spite of the
energy displayed by the prefect of police and Lieutenant
Sparlea, the small force of soldiers could only guard one
street, while in others the mob had free
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scope to act with all the fury of
fanaticism against the Israelites, who, far from being guilty of
any offense, were totally ignorant of the cause of their
maltreatment, having no knowledge even of the alleged theft and
profanation.
The arrest of the most honorable members of our community only
served to inflame and encourage the mob to fresh excesses.
Mr. Minister, we pray you to set at liberty the two innocent and
unfortunate men, for whom every guarantee required will be
given, and send a commission” to investigate the whole matter in
a serious and impartial manner. Only such an examination will
discover the guilty and indemnify the innocent.
Hundreds of families are naked and shelterless, mothers and
children are living in the open fields, exposed to the
severities of the season, while numerous persons are threatened
with starvation.
Help quick, and God will help you.
Receive, Mr. Minister, together with our tears, the assurance of
our most profound respect.
THE ISRAELITE DEPUTATION FROM ISMAIL.
