Appreciate Jewish Ottoman Soldiers

Date and Place: 2 Tevet 5670 (1909), Yafo

Recipient: The Council of Ekron

Body: I suggest you, distinguished people, come up with a plan regarding the youngsters who are Ottoman citizens, who are about to start working for the army. See if you can find a good way to help their families, when their lot indicates they will need to serve. We all know that those who work for the army carry the community’s load, so that it is proper that the community will notice their status. Especially notice that the askaria tax (for matters of work) will apparently be removed because of our brothers’ work. I await your prompt response.