Chaim Weizmann on the Assassination of Russian Pogrom Organizer Plehve: A Pity He Didn't Die Years Ago

August 4, 1904

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Chaim Weizmann on the Assassination of Russian Pogrom Organizer Plehve: A Pity He Didn't Die Years Ago
Autograph Letter Signed
2 pages | SMC 1585

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      Background

      The mourning stationery on which this letter is written was, most likely, for Theodor Herzl, whose death on July 3, 1904 Weizmann - whom many considered Herzl's successor - took personally. But another death is overtly mentioned here: that of the notorious pogrom-organizing tormentor of the Jews, Russian Interior Minister Vyacheslav Plehve, killed by a bomb on July 28th. "About Plehve," he writes in fractured but direct English, "is only one thing to say. It is a pity that he did not gone some years ago; now he was skillfully sent to Father Abraham." The rest of his news isn't, he says, "many": he will soon go to Vienna, he labors like a coolie, his fiancee Vera [a founder of Women's International Zionist Organization; they married in 1907] is coming, and he sends best wishes to his friends with whom he first stayed in London at 22 Grosvenor Road. "Excuse me the dumm letter," he adds, "I am not so dumm but it is my English."

      Autograph Letter Signed, in English and German, 2 pages, octavo, on black bordered mourning stationery, Manchester [England], August 4, 1904. To Miss Mitzi Van Gelder in London.

      With autograph envelope.

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      all pages and transcript

      Page 1/4

      Page 1 transcript
      Manchester, 4. VIII. 04
      C. on M.
      10, Cecil street. [sic]

      Dear Miss Mietje !  Many thanks for your kind letter, I was very glad to hear, that all is well in 22.  I hope to see you in a few days, because it is almost sure that I go to Vienna and perhaps a little earlier, than I thought.

      Here is no many news to tell you; I work in the labor. [sic] like a coolie and it [text is crossed out] does me good. Vera writes daily, she will [text is crossed out] come soone [sic].

      Many kind regards for Madame Van Gelder, whom I hope to meet bientot. 

      Page 2/4

      Page 2 transcript
      Excuse me the dumm [sic] letter. I am not so dumm [sic] but it is my english. [sic]

      Best wishes for all dear people at 22.

      About Plehve is only one thing to say. It is a pity that he [text is crossed out] did not gone some years ago; now he was skillfully sent to Father Abraham.

      Best wishes to Miss Franceska.

      Auf wiedersehen

      Your loyal

      CH WEIZMANN

      Page 3/4

      Page 3 transcript

      Mademoiselle
      M. van Gelder
      22. Grosvenor Rd.
      Canonbury N.
      London


      Letters from Dr. Weizman 

      Page 4/4

      Page 4 transcript
      HIGHBURY S.O.
      11. AM
      AU 5
      OA
      N.