The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1882-05-10
Prosecuted JEWS.
Correspondence Respecting the Treatmen
OF Israelites in Russia.

Correspondence Respecting the Treatment
of Israelites in Russia.
WASHINGTON, May 2.-The correspondence
respecting the condition of Israelites in
Russia, sent Congress to-day, is very volum
inous, and includes all on the subject dur
ing the past ten years. The last letter writ
ten by the Secretary of State in this regard
is as follows:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
WASHINGTON, ID. c., April Is, 1882 (
Wickham Hoffman,, Esq, etc.
SIR-Ihe prejudice OF race and creed having In
our day given way to the claims of our common
humanity, the people of the United States have
heard, with great regret the stories of suffering,
OF Jews in Russia 1t may be the accounts in the
newspapers are exaggerated and some may
be true. Some private reports, making
however, due allowance for misrepresentation.
can scarcely be detected Much has been done
which humane aud just persons must condemn
Inc President, OF course, feels the Government OF
the Emperor should not be held morally response.
BILE for the acts which IL considers wrong but
which II may be powerless 10 prevent. If that be
true OF this case. il would be worse than useless
Tor me To direct you, as the Representative of the
United states, 70 give official expression 10 the
feeling which this treatment of the Jews calls
forth IN this country. Should, however, the atti-
tude of the Russian Government be different and
should you be of the opinion a more vigorous
effort miKht be put forth for the prevention OF
this great wrong, you will, ii favorable opportu-
nifty offers, state with all proper Difference that
the feeling of friendship which the United
States entertains for Russia prompts this
Government TO express the hope the Imperial
Government will find means to cause the perse-
cution OF these unfortunate fellow beings to cease
This instruction Of duty is placed upon you, and
wide discretion is given you in its execution.
However much this Republic may dlsapprove of
affairs in other nati0nalities ii does not Conceive
that 1t is its right or province officially and Of
fensiveiy to intermeddle. II, however, 1t should
come to your knowledge that any citizens of the
United states are made victims OF persecution,
you will feel your duty to omit no effort to pro-
tect them and report the cases to this Department
l am, sir, your most obedient servant,
FREDERICK L. FRELINGHUYsEN.
Ii appears from the correspondence be-
tween Minister Foster aud Secretary Blame
that the action of the Russian authorities
toward American citizens is of two kinds:
first, absolute prohibition of residence in ST.
Petersburg and other cities of the Empire
upon the ground Russia permits no native
Jew 10 live there, and that the treaty be-
tween Russia and the United States gives TO
our citizens in Russian jurisdiction no other
right or privileges than those accorded to
native Russians. Second, permission of res
idence and commerce are conditioned on
belonging to the first guild of Russian mer-
chants and taking out license.
In letter from Secretary Blaine to Minis
ter Foster, under date of July %, 1881, the
former says:
In case this Government would hold the treaty
OF 1852 conferred specific rights on all American
citizens in the matter OF disposition of their per
sonal property, irrespective of any creditors save
those which the treaty expressly creates; that
their actual presence when necessary to protect
or assert their interests is absolutely guaranteed
wherever and for whatever time IL may he
needful, and that this international engagement
supercedes any municipal rule or regulation
which may interfere with the action of such in
dividuals, need hardly enlarge on the points
the Government of the United States concludes
its treaty with foreign States for equal protection
Of all classes of American citizens.
II can make absolutely no discrimination be-
so that they abide by the law at home or abroad
II must give them due protection and expect like
protection from them.
Any unfriendly, discriminating act against them
on the part of foreign Power with which we are
az peace. would call for our earnest remonstrance
whether the treaty existed or not.
Ii Is, therefore, source of unfeigned regret to
US when the Government to which we are allied
by many historical as to that of Russia
shows disposition in regard 10 Dealing with
US 70 take advantage or techncalities.
In response to this communication, under
the date of October s, 1881, Mr.. Hoffman,
Secretary OF the Legation, wrote Secretary
Blaine the Russian Minister of Foreign At
fairs still maintained the view that in the
treaty of 1882 the words ION condition of
their submitting to the laws and ordinances
then prevailing" subjected American Jews
to treatment as native Jews. These views
had also been given representatives of other
foreign Powers The Russian Minister said
that as regards the moral side OF the ques-
ton, he, personally, would be glad to see
important notifications made in the laws
their condition, but that they had
brought much of the harshness of these
laws upon themselves.
The Presidents message is formal, trans
the document, and makes no COM
ment or recommendation.