ceedingxevents there began to stand out sharply a modest figure, not noticed up to that time — a young man of twenty-two, Markel Okhrimovich Brishka, a teacher of elementary branches, who had entry into many Jewish homes in his capacity as teacher. In his convictions Brishka was a violent advocate of Ukrainian independence. Having been a prisoner in Austria, he brought back from captivity and cherished his Ukrainian chauvinistic sympathies. Whenever and wherever he could he talked about Ukrainian independence, but under the bolsheviki limited himself to the modest role of arranging Ukrainian pageants. Among the Jews he had acquaintances and some friends. Learning that after the closing of the convention events of some sort were pending, he went to Uman on Monday, May 12, and on the morning of May 13 returned to Dubovo. From this day really begins the unhappy time for the Jewish population of the town. Upon his return from Uman Brishka called a meeting of the Executive Committee of Dubovo, invited all the Jewish members of the Committee to leave their places, and locked himself up with the president and vice-president of the Committee (Christians), with whom he had a long secret conversation. In personal conversation with a member of the Committee with whom he was acquainted, Moisei Schwarzmann, Brishka stated that he had returned from Uman with instructions that the Jews should be removed from power. At the same time he communicated some rumors of the most provocatory character, to the effect that the Commissar of Education, in fixing the duties in the educational department, positively demanded a knowledge of the Jewish language, even of Christians, without which no positions could be secured. Then he summoned the members of the Executive Committee and announced to them that henceforth the Committee's title was changed to the Village Rada (Council). Brishka also proposed that a man be sent to Uman for proof of his authority. Meanwhile during the whole day, May 13, cartridges were constantly being brought from Uman to Dubovo; and towards evening events took a really threatening turn. The population of the town, frightened by the sound of the first shots, hid in cellars, garrets, and other hiding-places. The rebel peasants of the surrounding villages of Korzhevoie, Oksanina, etc., armed with rifles, clubs, and some with axes, scattered over the place visiting the Jewish dwellings. In that fearful night no one was spared. Money-ransom did not help. Th'e criminal element of the rebels was especially rampant, the former convicts; Kiril Cherniuk, a peasant of the village of Korzhevoie, Martin Zba-
UKRAINE
zhevsky, a dangerous burglar, and Vasily Bobyl, a pea'sant of the village of Korzhevoie. These persons, with only axes in their hands, made way with the victims. In this night eleven persons were killed, among them two women and several children.