The police force in Disna under Polish rule totalled three: the chief, his lieutenant, and constable Chalimonik. By virtue of his inferior rank, it was Chalimonik's lot to bear the responsibility for the maintenance of law and order in the city. All three of them were infected by antisemitism. Above all Chalimunik of the thick belly and bow legs, who gave it expression in the performance of his duties. He did not address Jews otherwise than in garbled and sneering accents. Even their names were intentionally garbled by way of mockery. Jews stood before him reverently, called him "Pani Vladze"--"Honorable Governor" and would entreat him not to record a transgression that they had committed or had not committed. All he had to zay was that it was useless and they were obliged to pay the fine. They even paid him on the spot, so as not to become entangled with the court and incur additional expense.
Many kinds of offenses could ensnare a man of Israel in Disna. Failure to clean the courtyard, and failure to clean the street before the house. The crime of commerce on Sunday and the crime of membership in a forbidden organization. Over all this Chalimonik stood guard. Constand warfare was unleashed between the Jews and the antisemitic "Honorable Governor". The principal casualties were peddlers and shopkeepers. In Poland before the war Sunday was established legally as the day of Sabbath, and commerce was forbidden to all. But on that day there gathered farmers from the area around the city to pray in the church. And when the goy leaves the church, his feet carry him to the Jewish tavern for a
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taste of spirits, or to the shops to buy some goods so as not to be obliged to return during the week. In view of the loss of income the merchants cannot give up their Sunday customers, and so begins a game of cat and mouse between the shopkeepers and Chalimonik. The shopkeepers and their children go out into the street and put the bolts of their doors in little locks that are easy to open. When the customer comes from church, he and the seller go into the shop and close the door. At that moment, the "Pani Vladze" springs forth from the earth. Those standing on watch greet him with a loud "Good morning!", so as to be heard within the shop. "Pani Vladze" knows what is going on and begins to stroll back and forth. It is not possible to open the shop and those within need only wait for a long while. It is some consolation that at the same time the shopkeepers at the end of the next street put the hour to good use that all prospers in their hands. And even if a few are caught in the act, still the hands of Chalimonik do not reach to the bread of the whole city.
Chalimonik also waged a war on young children. It was forbidden to the students of the public school to participate in any youth organizations whatsoever. This prohibition involved both an infraction of the law of the state as well as the regulations of the school. Anyone sho was caught was expelled from the school wihout appeal. Therefore even the parents were opposed to their children endangerng the continuation of their studies by going to "those clubs" to dance the horah there, or take part in a lot of "foolishness". The man who looked out for the enforcement of this prohibition was, naturally, "Pani Vladzeh". Sometimes passing by the club he would drop in to see what was going on. Certainly he didn't know the club was full, but sometimes on account of the time. But when his bow-legs wnet up the wooden steps to the second floor, where the club was, the participants had already taken to their heels and fled out the back way. Sometimes the head of the school, Mr. Blitski, joined in the hunt. This man, who was a cruel and would hit the students of both sexes, was exceptionally antisemitic and enjoyed the hunt for little Jews. When going out together, the policeman and the director, one would lurk behind the building and his comrade would go up the stairs. Even here the greater part of the children managed to escape and flee, but after such an event they stopped taking part for an extended period. Meanwhile they would gather in private homes, sometimes in this one and sometimes another or they would go outside the town to gather.
The activities of youth groups in Disnah never were interrupted. On the contrary, they spread and deepened and raised a generation that stood on the threshold of realization in our land that Zionism and the Pioneers opened up. One day their comrades could have been true and devoted citizens and have contributed their portions to the development of the land.
Our hearts ache that bitter fate struck our beloved Jewish Disna and its fine youths. May their memory be engraved in our hearts, they and the exaltation of their souls, shall serve as an example to us and to the young and great generation in our land.
