The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-08-02
Our Government Doesn't Want Them,
but Cannot Shut Them Ont.

WASHINGTON CRY, Aug. L-Secretary
Foster today addressed letter to Simon
Wolf and Lewis Abraham, president and
secretary respectively of the Union of
American Hebrew Congregations, in refer
ence TO oyertures made TO the department
for release from detention of Russian He
brew emigrants held at New York and
Boston as assisted immigrants, whose
landing is forbidden by law. In their letter
to the secretary, Messrs. Wolf and Abra-
hams stated that the Hebrew societies of
the United States, while they deplored
this kind of immigration and had advised
their brethren in foreign countries TO pre-
vent it, were willing TO stand the expense
OF caring for the immigrants, and to give
the government a satisfactory bond guar
anteeing that none of these refugees should
become public charges and urged that the
fight of the Jews was practically enforced
emigration within the meaning of our
laws. In his answer to the communion
ton the secretary says, in part:
fully concur in your estimate of the magni-
tuds of the present calamity which has fallen
upon SO many OF your race, Is well as in your
hope that early mitigation or cessation OF the
current measures of expulsion may render un-
necessary any genersl emigration OF Russian
Hebrew to America or elsewhere. Unquestion-
ably q great and sudden influx of destitute
aliens of any race would be 3 misfortune 70 any
country, and the American Hebrews act both
pstriotically and humsneiy when they advise
Jewish refugees against coming hither but at
the same time endesvor to render sslf-support-
ing those who finally come. obviously the sup
port OF q number of dependent persons is laid
upon the resources OF the country. even though
paid from private funds, and quite as plainly,
industrial conditions here might be teri-
ously disturbed by the sudden arrival and
enforced competition of multitude of needy
people. Hence, il is important TO the last de-
gree that the volume of this expected refugee
emigration be not excessive or threatening, and
that with entire certainty il shall be promptly
and widely distributed, 50 as TO supply real
want in scattered communities and interfere SIS
little rs possible with existing and normal in
dustrisl conditions. The apparent scope and
thoroughness of your plans for securing this i'm
mediate and wide distribution of expected
refugees are most gratifying, aud upon the sue
cess OF your association in carrying out these
plans viii largely depend the possibility of the
government meeting your views in other
respects.
While the immigration laws OF the United
States win be enforced, / agree with you that
those laws were never enacted in derogation of
the plainest requirements OF humanity, and no
worthy Immigrant who in all other respects
meets tie demands of our country should be ex-
cIuded from the country because through GER
tain actions of others he Is for the time being
homeless and without property l shall rely
upon your voluntary assurances that you viii
actively urge upon your brethren in Europe the
attitude OF our laws toward assisted immigra-
ton. also beg 10 remind you that any
tendency abroad 20 defect toward this country
the movement of destitute refugees or stimulate
immigration would be distinctly hostile 70 the
spirit manifested In your letter, and TO the
spirit in which the government OF the United
States desires 10 treat this difficult and delicate
problem.
BERLIN, Aug. IA fresh decision OF
the Russian government concerning its
policy towards the Jews debars children Of
Hebrews not having the right 10 sojourn
in Russia or residents of any Russian dis
trict without permit, from admission 70
the middle and higher schools. The Noroe
Tremya today in announcing that this
order will take effect at the beginning Of
the next scholastic year, praises the regu-
lation as assisting to reduce the Jews TO
their natural social level. The influx OF
Jewish emigrants into Germany is rapidly
abating. This is partly owing TO the
stricter official supervision.