The Portland daily press., 1884-09-26

ten by MF. Blaine While Secretary of
State.
WARRINGTON, Sept. 25.-The following are
the essential portions of heretofore un.
published dispatch by Secretary Blaine, con-
corning the condition of the Jews in Russia
which has been procured from the State De-
partment:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Nov. %, 1881. !
James n. L010eU, ESQ.
You will remember that with your dispatch of
Ihe zotn OF July last, you transmitted memoran-
DUN OF the laws and police regulations of Russia
ahectng persons of the Hebrew faith which you had
received from Sir Charles Dixie, one of her majes-
Tvs under secretaries of state for foreign affairs.
Although no information was then given as the
motive OF this courteous and very acceptable COM
munlcation, naturally inferred that it was in a
measure the result of the consultations which the
United States minister at st. Petersburghsd been
directed to hold informally with his British col
league at that court touching the treatment of such
American or British Jews as should, because of
to Russia, unfortunately find themselves under the
proscriptiye laws of the empire against all Israel
eS native or foreign.
The question has for years very seriously en-
gagged the attention of this government as present
ed in the cases of American citizens of Hebrew
faith visiting Russia on peaceful, law-abiding
rands. Under the direction of the late President
Garfield the representation of what we believe to
be our just claims In the premises was vigorously
renewed through the United States minister at st.
Petersburg BY means of instructions, of which en-
close for your information copes with the relative
annexes. Those instructions still properly reflect
the views Of this government that there SHOULD be
change in the treatment of American Israelites in
Russia. In view Of the circumstance that the case
OF Mr.. Lewiston, a British subject expelled from
the Russian capital at that time attracted the at
tention of her majesty's government, it seems to
the President that the almost identical interests of
the two governments in the premises justihes
similar, and, if practicable concurrent action on
their part, aud to that end write you the present
instruction.
The despatch of the American Minister at st. Pc
he RpcGi mis- or fort
eigu affairs has made frequent assertions of a
strong desire the part of his government to seek
a solution which would harmonic all interests.
While declining to admit that the existing conven-
ton may exempt American citizens from abject
submission to the religious laws of the land, the
minister has several occasions, promised that
the military authorities in the enforcement of those
laws. would give to American citizens the widest
practicable latitude in interpreting the obligations
of the statutes. In point of fact it is believed that
American (and presumably Britsh) sojourners in
Russia enjoy under the almost absolute discretion
airy powers of the imperial military commanders,
the EXTREMIST privileges and immunities which are
granted to any foreigners.
This government conceived however, that it
should not be content with leaving the persons and
the national interests of its citizens in Russia to the
discretionary control of the military arm, however
friendly its declared purpose may be- And in this
conception, 1t may very properly assume to be
Joined by Her Majesty's government which has
ever been SO watchfully jealous of the moral Free
dom of its subjects in foreign lands.
The statements of the Russian government that it
was about to seek harmonious solution have been
supplemented by very distinct indications of the
probable direction in which the solution" will be
sought. There is. unfortunately, little doubt
that the imperial government contemplates even
more sharply defined restrictive measures against
native Hebrews apparently under the belief that by
REFRESHING their 'sinuiious activity" as it Is
phrased the causes of discomfort which the Chris
tans feel against the Jews will be measurably les
sened and internal harmony between these con-
hlcdng elements be restored.
1t cannot but be inexpressibly painful to the en-
nghtened statesmen of Great Britain, as well as of
America, to see discarded prejudice of the dark
ages gravely revived at this day-to witness an at
tempt to base the policy of great and sovereign
state the mistaken theory that thrift is a crime
OF which the unthrifty are the innocent victims,
minished by increasing the causes from which they
arise No student of history need be reminded of the
lessons taught by the prosecutions OF the Jews in
Central Europe, and on the Spanish penin-
sula. Then, as in Russia today, the Hebrew Jared
better in business than his neighbour then, now,
his economy and patient Industry bred capital and
capital bred envy, and envy persecution, and per-
secution dsaffecion and social separation. The old
tradition moves in It's unvaryng circle-theHebrew
are made people apart from other people,-not
OF their own yolition, but because they have been
depressed and obstructed by the communities in
which they resided. The ghetto of the medieval
times still teaches its eloquent lesson, which the
nations have done v ell to heed. In Great Britain
and in the United States the Israelte is not segre
gated from his fellow-men. His equal part in our
industry add to the wealth of the State, and his
loyalty and patriotism are unquestioned.
ident that an amehoration of the treatment of
American Israelites in Russia could only result
from very decided betterment of the condition of
the native Hebrews; that any steps taken toward
the relief of one would necessarily react in favor of
the other and that. under all the peculiar and alb
normal aspects of the case it is competent and prop
or to urge the subject upon the attention of Russia
To his successor in the chief masistracy, these
conclusions are no less evident and charged by
the President to bring the subject to the formal at.
tentdon OF her Britannia maiestys government, in
the firm belief that the community of interests be-
tween the United States and England in this great
question of civil rights and equal tolerance OF
creed for their respective citizens in foreign
lands, will lead to consideration of the mat
ter with view to common action thereon.
IL would seem, moreover propitious time to mi
tiate movemenJ which might also embrace other
powers whose service in the work of progress is
commensurate with our own, to the end that Rus
STA may be benefcially influenced by their cumula-
tive representations, and that their several citizens
and subjects visiting the territory of the empire
laW-observing missions of private interest shall no
longer find there subsection of conscience to mill
tary forms and procedure which obtains nowhere
else in Europe.
You may read this despatch to Lord Granville,
and, if he desires it, leave with him copy. You
will say to him, at the same time, that while abat-
ing no part of his intention to press upon the Rus
sian government the just claim of American citi-
zens TO less harsh treatment in the empire by
of their faith, the President will await with pleas
ure an opportunity for free interchange of views
upon the subject with the government of Her Maj
esty. am, sir, etc.,
JAMES G. BLAINE.