New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-03
JEW1sH PROSECUTIONS IN RUSSIA.

LETTERS FROM TWO SECKEIAklES Of olAih-
VIGOROUS PROTEST FROM MR. BLAINE IN BE-
HALF OF AMERICAN HEBREWS.
WASHINGTON, May 2.-The President sent a
message with accompanying documents to the House OF
Repre- senaves to-day to a resolution Of Jan
uary 80 calling for the correspondence respecting the
condition Of Israetcs in Russia The documents are
very voluminOus, embracing forty communications
which passed between Secretaries Fish,. Evarts, Elaine
and Frellnghuysen and the United States Minister to
Russia during the period from September 20, 1872 TO
April 10, 1882
1t appears the correspondence between Minister
Foster and Secretary Blaine that the action Of the RI &
sian authorities toward American citizens is Of two
kinds:
First. Absolute prohibition Of residence in ST. Peters
burg and other cities Of the Empire the ground that
the Russian law permits native Jew to live there, and
thai the treaty between Russia and the United states
gives to our citizens Russian Jurisdiction other
rights or privileges than those accorded to native Rus
slams.
Second Permission of residence and commerce condi-
toned belonging to the first guild OF Russian mer
chants and taking out license.
In letter Secretary Blline to Minister Foster,
under date OF July %, 1881, the former says:
On arising, this Government would hold that
American citizens in the matter of the disposition OF
their personal property irrespective OF any conditions
save 'aosg "fn inc enS
to protect or assert their Interests is absolutely guar
any municipal rule regulation which may Interfere
hardly enlarge the point that the Government OF the
United concludes its treaties with foreign states for
1t make absolutely no DISCRIMINATION between them,
whatever be their origin creed tat they abide by
the laws at home abroad, II must give them due pro-
trendy or oscminat orr net against them on the mart
"A foreign power with which at peace, would
call Tor our earnest remonstrance whether treaty eX
listed not. Ii is therefore a source OF I'M egned
ct lfOVGrnInenL "A
by many historical ties as to that OF Russia, shows
disposition in regard TO dealings with US 10 take adyau
tagc OF tcchnicLnaes.
In response this communication, under date Of Oc
tober s. 1881 Mr. Hoffman. Secretary OF Legation wrote
to Secretary Blaine that the Russian Minister of Foreign
Ars still maintained the view that the treaty Of
1882 the words on on OF their submilting 20 the
laws and ordinances prevailing" subjected Amcr
can Jews to the treatment OF native Jews. These views
had also been given to representatives or other foreign
powers. The Russian Minister said that regards the
moral side Of the question he personally would be glad
to see important notifications made in laws regard
ing the condition Of the Jews in Russia but that they
brought much Of the harshness Of those laws upon
themselves.
A commission had, however, been appointed to ex
anime and report upon the whole Jewish question under
the presidency of the Minister OF the Interior the
dispatch of the United States Secretary OF Stale would
be transmitted to that commission for its consideration
The letter written b. the Secretary of in this
regard is follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
WAsHINGTON, d. c., April II, 1ss2. !
WICKUAM uOFFaANS, esq. etc., etc, ST. Petersburg.
SIR: Tue prejudice o and having in our
day given wa, the claims of common humanity,
the people OF the United states have heard with great
regret the of the suiferings Of the
Jews I'm Russia. It may be that the
accounts III the newspapers are exaggerated and the
same may be true OF some private reports Making.
however, due allowance Tor it can
scarcely DO doubted that much has been done which
huulaue and Just person must condemn.
The President OF course feels that the Government OF
the Emperor should not be held morally responsible
acts which it considers wrong bat which 1t NAV be
would than useless for direct YOU as the
representative Of the United states, to give Official
to the feeling which this treatment OF the Jews
calls forth in this country.
should however the attitude of the Russian Govern
ment bc different, and should you DO the opinion
thai q more vigorous effort might be put forth
for The prevention VI tins great wrong yOu viii, il ia
yOrable opportunity oilers, state with all proper de
ference, THAI the feeling VI friendship which the United
entertain lOr Russia prompts this Government to
express hope that the Imperial Government viii lind
tne persecution Of these unfortunate fell
low beings 10 cease.
This instruction deVOves delicate duty upon you,
and wide discretion is given you III its exccui on
However much tis Republic may disapprOye vi affairs
in other natOnaltles does conceive that its
right province OciOusy Oens yey to ntermeddle
It, no Seyer IL should come 10 your knowledge that any
citizens United states made victims of the per
secutiOn, you Will feel IL your duty 10 omit elOrt TO
project them, and 10 report such this Depart
Iuent | am, sir, your Obedent servant.
IREDK T. FRLLINGHUYSEN.