The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1882-05-03

to-day, is very VOluminouS, and in
cludes all on the subject during the
past ten years. The last letter
written by the secretary of state, in
this regard, is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Il. c.,
April, IS, 1882.
WickmG1l Hoffman, Esq, st. Peters
burg:
Sir:-The prejudice of race and
creed having, in our day, given way
to the claims of our common hui
mainly, the people of the United
States have heard with great regret
the stories of the sufferings of Jews
in Russia. 1t may be the accounts
in newspapers are exaggerated, and
the same may be true of some pri-
vate reports. Making, however,
due allowance for misrepresenta-
tiOns, it can scarcely be doubted
that much has been done which
human and just person must con-
denim. The President of course
feels that the Emperor should not
be held morally responsible for
the acts which it considers wrong
but which it may be powerlesS to,
prevent. If that be true, it would
be worse than useless for me to di-
rect you, as representative of the
United States, to give official ex-
preston to the feeling which this
treatment of the Jews calls forth in
this country. Should, however, the
attitude of the Russian government
be different and should you be of the
opinion that more vigorous
effort might be put forth for the
prevention of this great wrong, you
will, if favorable opportunity offers,
state with all proper Difference that
the feeling of friendship which the
United states entertain for Russia,
prompts this government to express
the hope that the imperial govern
ment will find means to cause the
persecutiOn!Of these unfortunate fell
low-beings to cease. This inStruc-
tiOn deVOlYeS a delicate duty upon
you and wide discretion is given you
in its execution. However much
this republic may disapproYe of
affairs in other nationalities, it does
not conceive that it is its right or
province officiously and Extensively
10 intermeddle. If, however, it
should come to your knowledge that
any citizens of the Uaited States is
made victim of persecution, you will
feel it your duty to omit no effort,
to protect them, and report cases to
this government. I am, sir, your
Obedient servant.
(Signed) FRED'K j. FRELINGHUSEN
1t appears from the correspon-
dence between Minister Foster and
Secretary Blaine that the action of
the Russian authorities towards
American citizens is of two kinds.
First, absolute prohibition of resi-
dence in st. Petersburg and other
cities of the elm pire, on the ground
that the Russian law permits no ma
tive Jew to live there, and that the
treaty between Russia and the
United States gives to our citizens
in Russian jurisdiction no other
rights or privileges than those &C
corded native Russians; second
permission of residence and COM
merce is conditional or belonging to
the first guild of Russian merchants,
and taking out license. In the let
ter FROM Secretary Blaine to Minis
ter Foster, under date of July %,
1881, the former says: A
case arising, this government
would hold that the treaty,
(of 1892 conferred specific rights on
all American citizens in the matter
Of the disposition Of their personal
property, irrespective of any con-
ditions, save those which the
treaty OppressiVely creates; that
actual presence, when necessary, to
protect or assert their interests is
absolutely guaranteed, whenever
and for whatsoever time it may be
needful, and that this international
engagement supercedeS any muni-
cipal rule or regulation which may
interfere with the free action Of
such individuals. Ineed hardly en-
large on the point that the govern
ment of the United States concludes
its treaties with tOreignIStates for the
equal protection OF al classes OF
! American citizens. 1t can make
absolutely no discrimination be-
tween them whatever, as to their
origin or creed, so that they abide
by laws at home or abroad. 1t
must give them due protection and
expects like protection for
them. Any unfriendly or dis
eliminating act to them
on the part Of foreign power with
which we are at peace, would call
for our earnest TemODStrance,
whether the treaty existed or not.
1t is. therefore. a source of unfelgned
regret to us, when the government
TO which we are allied by so many
i historical ties as to that OF Russia,
shows a disposition in regard to the
dealings with us TO take advantage
of technicalities."
In response to this communlea-
ton, under date Of October s, 1881,
! Hoffman, secretary of the legation,
wrote to Secretary Blaine that the
Russian minister of foreign affairs
still maintained the view that in
the treaty Of 1892 the words "On
condition of their submitting to the
| avs and ordinances then prevail
! n.y." subjected American jews to
tE,~, +rc, 4,,,ov1f Of natiu0 Jews. These