Fierce Anti-Jewish Riots at Jassy

The Jewish News of Northern California (January 30, 1914)

The Vienna “Nene Freie Presse” reports a serious anti-Jewish riot in Jassy as the result of a Socialist meeting convened to protest against the oppression of the Jews. The Nationalist anti-Semitic students gathered round the hall in which the meeting was to be held, and attempted to prevent the Socialists and Jews from entering. Later on they endeavored to force their way into the hall, the doors of which had been closed. The Nationalist students, numbering several hundreds, began to assault the Jews and molest the Socialists. A quarrel ensued, and degenerated into a regular riot. The police were unable to restore order, and four battalions of chasseurs, who had been summoned to their aid, had to fight their way through and disperse the mob. At the close of the meeting thousands of students and ruffians again gathered at the entrance to the hall and renewed the fight with the Jews and Socialists. The four battalions formed a strong cordon round the attacked parties in order to protect them, but the populace broke through the cordon and a pitched battle ensued. The military had to use their bayonets in order to prevent a sanguinary riot. It was only after a hard struggle that the military succeeded in dispersing the mob. About one hour later the students divided themselves into small groups, and wherever they met a Jew they maltreated him most cruelly. The inhabitants of the Jewish quarter became panic-stricken and at once closed their houses and shops, but all in vain. The students penetrated the Jewish streets and began to smash the windows and doors. The authorities had to summon a battalion of hussars in order to help the chasseurs in restoring order. A great number of Jewish passers-by were more or less seriously wounded, and great damage was done to Jewish shops and houses. The impression prevails in Viennese political circles that the riot was “ordered” by the government, so as to make it appear that the people are opposed to the granting of equal rights to the Jews and that the government is always ready to protect them when the necessity arises. The anti-Semites are organizing anti-Jewish meetings, and further complications are feared. It is reported that the Jews are appealing to the lea to assist them to emigrate en masse.