In some places, there are two dates—for instance, in the beginning, where it says “March 12/25, 1911.” This is because, at the time, the Russian calendar was behind the rest of the world’s calendar by 13 days for reasons unknown, which changed to be concurrent with other nations after the Jewish Bolshevik revolution.
The following is what the letter promulgated:
“AMERICAN CONSULATE.
“Odessa, Russia.
“November 13, 1913.
“Subject: Ritualistic murder at Kiev.
“The Honorable Secretary of State, Washington, D.C.
“Sir:
“Recently, there has occurred within this consular district a murder and trial which not only has assumed political proportions and engaged and stirred the whole of Russia, but also abroad wherever the press and telegraph reach. I refer to what is ordinarily known as the 'Ritualistic Murder' trial at Kiev. Up to now I have abstained from sending in a report upon the subject, desiring to wait until the conclusion in order to send the case complete. That time has now arrived, and I have the honor to present the following for the Department's consideration and as a matter of record:
“On March 12/25th, 1911, a boy of Christian parentage, 13 years of age, named Andreas Youshchinsky, was missing in the city of Kiev. Eight days later his body was found in one of the many caves existing in the city. Part of his clothing was missing and the remainder showed stains of blood and clay. A post mortem examination revealed upon his body 47 wounds, all having evidently been inflicted with an awl or chisel-like instrument and with every indication of system in order to draw the greatest amount of blood. The wounds were mostly grouped about the head and neck. A wound upon one of his thighs was apparently aimless, while two entering the heart had evidently been given to quickly cause death. For these last wounds, the shirt had been raised; and they had been inflicted upon the bare body. The boy was healthy, strong, and active but there was nothing to show that he had attempted resistance. It seemed as though he had been scared or hypnotized into submission to his treatment. At least two persons must have taken part in his murder, and one of these appears to have held something over his mouth and nostrils, possibly to prevent his crying out, and possibly also to produce through suffocation and a more copious flow of blood. The murder attracted great attention and excitement. The governor general of the province and the Ministry of Justice ordered a search for the murderers.
The Ministry placed the case in the hands of a reputable examining magistrate who, however, for some reason or other, indolence being chiefly attributed, seems to have neglected it, leaving all to accident and the efforts of a detective named Mishchuk. Mishchuk has had the reputation of being unusually clever and active, but reasons which remain undisclosed would show that he deliberately gave to his search a false direction so as to attack the mother and stepfather of the murdered boy. While under arrest, these two were made to experience great hardships, both mentally and bodily. Eventually, their innocence was so clearly shown that they were set free.
Mishchuk was tried for criminal misconduct in the case and sentenced to a term of imprisonment. It was alleged that he had been bribed by parties having an interest in not having the truth leak out. Another and still more efficient detective named Krasovsky was placed upon the case and seems to have obtained capital results, which, however, he kept to himself--it is thought for venal purposes--for he suddenly became inactive and tried to direct the search in false directions, principally aiming at the incrimination of well-known thieves and receivers. There seems to be good ground for suspicion in the minds of many that the detective received a handsome bribe. His misconduct, however, was not clear enough to warrant bringing a criminal charge against him. Many months of valuable time were thus lost and eventually the case was taken out of Krasovsky's hands and the examining magistrate was superseded by one sent out from St. Petersburg.
From that time forward the real case begins. Unfortunately, however, during the four months that had passed most of the possible evidence had been lost or deliberately done away with by the two dishonest detectives. It was now tried to show that this was one of the so-called Jewish ritualistic murders which are periodically alleged to take place principally before Easter, and for which only male youths are said to be chosen. Literature shows no clear causes for these murders, but among those nations upon which the Jew has the greatest economic hold, and who feel themselves being gradually strangled out of existence, the belief exists that the blood obtained at these murders is mixed with the unleavened Easter bread of the Jews, called 'Matzoh.' This is not supposed to have anything to do with cannibalism, nor can it be shown that anything in the public Hebrew religion calls for it. But it is thought here by many to be a mere symbol in a secret and cabalistic process to unite all Jews against non-Jews and to keep alive in the minds of Jews the idea that they are the chosen race: that all others are food for them and can only have an existence as far as they can be made to serve and further the ends of Jews.
“This report is not made or intended to prove the whole or any part of the fearful charge made here against Jews, nor is such an allegation easily disproved. The principal cause for this very possible erroneous belief in these cruel symbolical murders must be sought in the peculiar solidarity of the Jews, who keep better together than any known race, past or present, so that those who have suffered at their hands, or who fear to suffer, suspect a terrible secret tie among them. It must be kept in mind that the Jews are a strong race. While the Russians double their numbers, Jews about quadruple them. While the Russian nation doubles its financial wealth, the Jews increase theirs eight-fold. They gain what the Russian loses. This is the Russian version, but I do not believe that it can be readily proved that this increase in wealth is exactly as alleged, or solely due to dishonest dealings and unfair ways.
“Russia is not rich, and it has a percentage of Jews far in excess of that of any other country. And many Russians of all political parties hold that millions more of Jews must leave Russia so that other nations shall bear the burden alike.
“The Kiev investigators found, or thought they found, that the murder of the Youshchinsky boy had been committed in the brick factory of Zaitsev, and that a Jew living there named Mendel Beiliss had caught the boy and dragged him into a kiln, after which the child was not seen again alive. It is a matter of record that those witnesses who had stated that they saw Beiliss catch the boy have since died.
“The evidence was not complete, consisting, in part, as follows: That there were secret proceedings carried on at the brick factory; that well-known fanatical leaders of Jews from places in Russia and abroad had secretly resided there about the time of the murder; that in a very short time all those who died who had professed knowledge of the case likely to be injurious to the cause of the Jewish side, two children who were supposed to have been with the boy when he was caught by his murderers; that before the examining magistrate sent out from St. Petersburg could possibly inspect the dwelling of Beiliss it was consumed by fire, the cause still remaining a mystery; that from the very beginning of the investigation, Jews and their close friends endeavored to direct the search to some false trail; that the whole and numerous Jewish press had heaped ridicule and ignominy upon all who did not readily accept the theory of innocence of Beiliss and of his fanatical friends, both known and undiscovered; [and] that the Jewish press attacked with the greatest acumen all persons who conducted the case against Beiliss and endeavored to gain credence for Detectives Mishchuk and Krasovsky.
“All of the above taken together does not amount to clear evidence, and I do not believe that in any other country, where Jews are better thought of than in Russia, a case would have been brought against Beiliss.
“Here in Russia the underlying idea seemed to have been that facts would leak out during the investigation and the trial. Nothing of this kind, however, happened.
“On October 28/10 November Inst.[?], after the trial had lasted a month, the jury gave its verdict 'that a certain boy found cruelly murdered in Kiev had been killed by fanatical Jews and that Jews, for occult purposes, had carefully drawn all blood from the dying child; that it was an instance of Jewish ritualistic murder; that Beiliss was not guilty.'
“As a result of the above trial, opinions vary very materially. The Jews say that the trial proves that there was nothing to come out; that the man Beiliss was innocent and all talk about ritualistic murders is nonsense.
“Russians say the trial proves the great solidarity of the Jews, whose combined efforts have obliterated all traces [of evidence].
“The Jews say the trial will be productive or good for us, as it will open the eyes of Russians to the fact that there is no danger in us.
“The Russians say this trial will do good for us; it will open our eyes to the fact that we have all been walking upon the brink of a precipice which is at all times and places striving to engulf us.
“Between the two stand the pro-Jew Russians, who are stoutly giving battle in the interests of the Jews.
“One thing is fairly certain: The relations between Jews and Russians will, henceforth, be more strained than ever and that a larger exodus of Jews from Russia will be anticipated. This emigration will, to a very large extent, be in the direction of countries having an Anglo-Saxon population.
“The main chance of the Jew in his struggle against the Russian, more correctly, against the Slav, lies in the fact that he knows the full value of money and makes the cleverest use of it, while the Slav is easy-going and thinks that money can only be gained for the sole purpose of spending it as quickly as possible. The Jew is never pleased unless he gets 100 percent out of his money, while the Russian smiles when he is shown that he is not even getting 50 percent. Under these circumstances, it cannot be surprising that so much property flees from the Russian hand and goes into that of a Jew. The Anglo-Saxon will probably give a better account of himself.
“Much of the above report is a resume of various opinions, an effort being made to keep it within the bounds of justice. Trusting that it will be of interest,
“I have the honor to be,
“Sir,
“Your obedient servant,
“John H. Grant [signature],
“consul.
“840.1”
Buck the neocons. Fuck 'em too.