A number of my posts have focused on the military service of Jews in the army of Imperial Russia during the First World War. These directly pertain to a soldier’s military experience per se, whether as reported in contemporary news articles, or on one occasion, in a work of fiction. In the context of the former, this post – presenting a news item about a certain Joseph Baru, a Jewish veteran of the Army of Imperial Russia – published in The New York Times in late 1918 – is a little different.
Though briefly touching upon Baru’s military service, which apparently encompassed the seven (seven? – gad!) years between 1911 and 1918, the anonymously-authored article is much more noteworthy for its description of life in German-occupied Ukraine, and subsequently, the economic and social chaos prevailing in Russia subsequent to the treaty of Brest-Litovsk, Russia’s withdrawal from military participation in the Great War, and finally, the Russian Civil War. In all these, especially living conditions under German military occupation, I’m strongly reminded of S. Ansky’s riveting chronicle of Jewish life in the Pale of Settlement during the Great War, The Enemy At His Pleasure.
Four and one hundred years have passed since this article’s publication. As to the subsequent life and fate of Joseph Baru and his family, I have no idea.
But, at least they survived.
ROBBED BY GERMAN INVADERS IN UKRAINE
Young Russian Merchant and Soldier Arrives Here with Wife, Baby, and Only $3.
The New York Times
October 31, 1918
AN ATLANTIC PORT, Oct. 30. – After passing through all kinds of dangers since the war began, Joseph Baru, 28 years old, a flour merchant, arrived today on a freighter from Murmansk on the northern coast of Russia, with his wife, Beula, 18 years old, and their baby. Baru said that he was in business in New York and went to Russia to visit his relatives, in the Summer of 1911. When the military officials heard he was in Kiev they ordered him to do his service in the army, which was three years. Just as the time expired the big war began, and the young man had to go with the army.
“I was wounded four times,” he said, “in fighting at various points along the eastern front, including Toltchin, Wolynska and Vedla.”
During his stay at Vladimir Joseph Baru amassed 200,000 rubles in business. When the Germans came into Ukraine, he said that they took away all the flour, grain, and other produce from the merchants and gave them promissory notes in exchange which were practically worthless. When he arrived today he had only $3 in the world to support himself and his family.
The Germans did not appear to have any real money, he said. They robbed the people in the Cities of Kiev, Orsho, and Gomel, in the Ukraine, of all their foodstuffs and left them penniless. In addition, they treated the people like slaves, and men were hanged in Kiev on the slightest pretext. Not to uncover the head and bow with deep humility when spoken to by a German officer, to answer back when cursed, and not being quick in giving up one’s store of grain or wheat meant death. He saw 150 Russians hanged one morning at Kiev, Baru said.
The refugees who fled to Archangel had to pay heavy fees to the officials, German and Bolsheviki, to get safely away, and when he left Murmansk three weeks ago the living conditions were almost unbearable. Bread cost $10, sugar 500, and tobacco 1200 a pound. The Bolsheviki had seized everything. But conditions changed for the better in every way seven weeks ago when the English troops entered the city and took charge of all the stores of foodstuffs that were piled 100 or more feet high around the harbor.
During his stay in Russia Joseph Baru said he served under three regimes, the late Czar Nicholas, the Germans, and the Bolsheviki. He managed to keep 7,000 rubles, but it was taken from him by German officials before he got away from the Ukraine. When the family landed today the baby saw fresh milk for the first time in two months. Baru and his wife and baby will stop with the Hebrew Sheltering and Immigrant Aid Society, 225 East Broadway, New York, until he can make plans to go into some business and communicate with his relatives in this country.
Here’s Ansky’s Book…
The Enemy At His Pleasure – A Journey Through the Jewish Pale of Settlement During World War I, by S. Ansky (Shloyme Zanvl Rappoport), Henry Holt and Company (Metropolitan Books), New York, N.Y., 2002