Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-01-14
TREATMENT or RUSSIAN ysvs
Representative Rayner Argoes M. Re.oiu
0o0s eefors the Fnrrixn mar. 6..-....s...x

Representative Rsyner Argues M. Rc.oiu-
ions Before the fcrvtxn Ans,rs COMMITTEES.
The resolutions relating % the persecution
Of the Hebrews IN Rassin were before the Hou.e
committee on foreign affairs TO-DAY. Mia
ner. who is member OF the committee. .dvo-
Gated his resolutions. which call for An inouirv
ns to whether treaty stipulatons have not been
violated between Russia and the United
States Congressman Morse OF Mas-achuse,t,
spoke upon his resolution expressing
the sympathy OF the governn ent with she per
secuted jews in Russia The Congressman
said; The persecution was unequaied since
the children OF Israel were commanded 20 make
bricks without straw and groaaed beneath the
taskmsster OF Pharaoh In Egypt" He quoted
from Russian laws and sdicts in reference 20
the jews and gave individual llassra-
tons OF the cruelty, hardship and priya-
tcn resulting. He said that the United
states had pecuniary as well as q
phiiah,nropn interest IN stopping the persecu-
aon- III continued the ten or twenty thousand
INDECENT jews who had already reached thi,
country would be but the advance guard Of
thousands. N not millions. 90 follow % be SUP
ported by the charitable people aud institutions
OF the country for n time at least
Mr.. Rsyner said he was opposed 20 resolu-
tons of sympathy, because they were OF no
practical avail and because the Hebrew Of
Russia have had all the sympathy thew wanted
and would Ike 60 have something a little more
tangible He said the whole world. Of course,
sympathized with them. and II this was ali the
United States intended TO do IL had better let
the matter rest and do nothing. He said be
was aiming at something practical, irs IL. could
be accomplished, and he earnestly believed IL
could He argued three propositions before
the committee.
First-1hat there had been a violation OF the
treaty between Rrssa aud the United States
ana that an American citizen, IL he happened
10 be an israelito. travelling in Russia had not
the same privilege that Russian citizen had
In America. That an American banker mer-
chant of Hebrew faith. had no right TO open q
branch Office In Moscow or ST. Petersburg with
out the permission OF the minister OF the i'm
terror and Of finance. He referred 10 the Rus
san law upon the subject, which he had trans-
lated for the committee
In the second place be contended that the
laws OF expulsion and Punishment were con-
trary TO the principles of international usage,
and ss these banishmonts generally resulted in
emigration TO the United States we were deeply
concerned in the maintenance Of the principle.
He handed the committee a translated EXTRACT
from the criminal code of Russia aud showed
that within eight montls over $1,000 Jews
driven across The Austrian and rrussian FROM
tier had embarked for the United States
In the last place he held that il there was no
treaty violation still We had ;he right accord
ing 10 the highest authorities and precedcnts OF
rendering our Friendly Offices in behalf OF
the porsocuted Hebrews OF Russia Mr.. Rayner
said that the suffering OF the Jews WAS an leo
lated case upon the pages OF modern history.
and that the people, innocent OF any
crime against the government that 10
prosecuting them, should be subjected
by laws 10 hardships and cruelties that
are driving them 10 desperation is q matter
that the civilized world can hardly understand.
Upon the proposition that the government Of
the Quilted States would have a right in q
friendly way TO intervene BY way Of
protest against the treatment he
cited precedents ranging through .
period OF fifty years in our own State Depart
meat and also from the foreign Offices OF the
English and French governments. Mr.. Rayner
said lie WIS willing TO modify his resolutions
in any way 80 ms 20 fully coatorm 90 the re-
quircments of diplomatic etiquette and 10 the
pleasure Of the committee. He did not feel in
a very agreeable mooa toward the government:
OF RUSSIA about the subject. but he wanted
TO be as civil and polite il wHs
absolutely necessary 90 be under the
circumstances. As far as tie substance Of the
resolutions was concerned, however, he would
not be willing to yield any part OF them, as he
believed that il adopted there would be con-
eessions mado by Russia toward these people
and notifications Of these statutes which were
only intended 10 be temporary when they were
passed The committee took the matter under
amusement