The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1889-03-30

WASHINGTON. March 29.-When the Rus
sian extradition treaty comes up in the
Senate, as it may to-day, it is expected tC
encounter quite as bitter an opposition as
the British extradition treaty. The obiec-
tiOnable feature OF the British treaty was
the paragraph which permitted the extra
ditiOn of political offenders, and which was
generally known as the dynamite clause. "
On a motion to strike out the clause but
two gentlemen, Messrs. Edmunds and
Morgan, voted il the negative, all the other
members of the Senatorial body supporting
it warmly. The Russian treaty is thought
TO be in its way quite as Objectionable as
the British treaty, and for substantially
the same reason, viz, the permission II
gives for the extraction of political crimi-
nails
THE LETTER AND SPIRIT OF THE TREATY.
Several of the Senators consider this
clause as antagonistic to the prin-
ciples of our republican institutions.
The paragraph having reference to pOliti-
ical crimes is as follows: Murder and
manslaughter, comprising the Wlllful or
negligent killing of the sovereign or chief
magistrate of the state, or any member Of
his family, as well as an attempt to com
nit, or participating in, the said crimes,
shall not be construed az Offense OF polt-
ical character
Senators Eyarts. Eustis and George have
repeatedly stated their objections to the
treaty in its present form, and it is under
stood that they, as well as other gentlemen
on both sides, win oppose its ratification.
The objections which will be made to the
foregoing clause are summarized in the fol
lowing argument, which has been presented
to several Senator's and which has their
support. Under this clause, apparently so
reasonable, an attempt will be made by the
Russian government to induce the United
States to surrender to
THE AUTHORITIES IN RUSSIA,
persons who have been engaged in reyo-
lutionary projects in that empire. If fugi-
tives demanded under this treaty
were to be tried according to the rules of
law as for ordinary offenses, there could be
but little objection TO such provision, but
the difference of procedure ADVERTISEMENT
according to Russian law, between Ordi-
nary cases of murder and manslaughter,
and political crimes, including attempts
against the life Of the Car are very
great
According to the principles recognized
everywhere by international law and com
ity, demand for eXtraditiOn should only
be allowed where the legislation of the
state which demands it conforms it to the
principles adopted by civilized nations. But
in respect to political trials, Russian iuris-
prudence does not conform to any princl-
ples adopted by civilized nations any
where. For all other offenses, including
murder, the right of trial by jury is recog-
nized by the Russian code. But political
crimes, including an attempt upon the life
of the Car or any member of his family,
no Jury is allowed. The trial is by military
tribunal
1T Is HELD IN SECRET,
and the judgment and sentence are fire.
ouently prescribed beforehand. In these
political prosecutions the mere attempt,
not followed by any result, is punished to
the same degree as the successful effort of
death, contrary to the doctrines of modern
penal Jurisprudence.
The point in the treaty which Russia
considers of the greatest Importance is that
the United States shall declare that reTo-
lutionary movements in Russia have politi
cal meaning and that any attempt which
shall endanger the Cars life, even for the
purpose of obtaining constitutional govern
ment. (which is now denied in Russia),
shall be declared in advance by the Ameri-
can people. so far as treaty can declare it,
simply plotting to commit murder. This is
a concession which the Russian govern
ment has not yet got from any power ex-
cept Germany and Austria. Recently the
Russian government tried its utmost to
influence England to deny the right OF
asylum to Russian political offenders, but