No. 484.
Mr. Peixotto to Mr. Hunter.
[Extract.]
Consulate of the United States of America,
Bucharest, April 5, 1872. (Received April
25.)
No. 28.]
Sir: I have the honor to inclose the reply,
with translation, of the minister of foreign affairs to my note of
February 9, which I had the honor to transmit to you in my dispatch
No. 21.
A precisely similar response has been received by each of the other
consuls.
The procuror-general, referred to in the ministers note, has returned
and made a report to the government. He has permitted me to see this
report. After making a careful investigation, he completely
exonerates every Israelite from any participation whatsoever in the
alleged theft and desecration of the church. The evidence he
obtained shows it was committed by a renegade from the Russian army,
an apostate, who had resided but three months in Ismail, and who, by
his own confession, made in open court, has been three times
convicted in Russia of crime.
* * * * * *
Notwithstanding this report the five Israelites arrested, including
the rabbin and president of the community, are still confined and
committed to stand trial as common felons on the 15th instant.
Forty-six of the principal rioters of Cabool have, in the meanwhile,
been liberated. The knowledge of this fact, transmitted to the
cabinet
[Page 689]
at London, has
caused Lord Granville to send a second dispatch to the English
consul, instructing him to again remonstrate with the
government.
It seems to be every day more apparent that nothing but the direct
intervention of the foreign powers, who have the right under the
treaty of Paris, will put an end to the internal disorders resulting
from the serious persecutions of the Hebrews.
I am, sir, &c.,
BEN J. F. PEIXOTTO,
United States
Consul
[Translation.]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, No. 1142.
Bucharest, 7–19th February,
1872.
Mr. Consul-General: Before the receipt
of the note which yon were pleased to address me on the 9th of
February, No. 126, the government of the prince was aware of the
deplorable events which had transpired at Ismail and Cabool, and
it had made it a point to repress them with all the energy which
was demanded by the principles of order, humanity, and
civilization.
I am the first to condemn, Mr. Consul-General, the acts of
violence of which the population of said towns have been guilty
toward the Israelites. It seems to me, however, just, if we are
to form an impartial judgment in relation to the event in
question, to search for the cause which gave rise to the
excitement of the population. It is now clearly shown by the
examination which has been made that these disorders only took
place in consequence of an impious and audacious theft committed
by Jews in the cathedral of the town of Ismail.
The gravity of these two facts renders it our duty to search,
with all necessary impartiality, for the parties who were guilty
of the theft, and for the ringleaders in the disorders, so as to
proceed against them with equal vigor. To this effect we have
already sent the attorney-general of the court of appeals of the
capital to the spot.
Not being for the moment in a position to know all the details of
the affair in question, I shall, before communicating them to
you, Mr. Consul-General, await the subsequent results of the
examination, which is now being actively prosecuted. But I do
not hesitate now to add, that measures have been taken to insure
the respect due to the law, and that the government is firmly
resolved to combat all elements of disorder wherever they may be
found.
Receive, Mr. Consul-General, the assurance of my high
consideration.
