Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-16
THE RUSSIAN TREATY.
-Four Protests Filed by Mr.. KEENAN,
With the President.
THE MEXICAN PEOPLE
Appealed to by Organized Associations of
Parts of Europe Against the Ratification
Of an Agreement for Extraditinz Political
Exiles.

Mr.. George Kennsn. the well-known writer
ON Russia. left the city Sunday night for New
York. whence he sails tomorrow for Europe. He
will be absent six weeks or two months Before
leaving Mr. Kennan sent the following letter
and accompanying documents to President
Cleveland relating to the Russian extradition
treaty The PRONUNCIATION Of the treaty, the
one step yet remaining to put it into effect. is
expected to be made this week, possibly today
or tomorrow:
WASHINGTON, D. c., May IA. 1898.
Mr.. President: have the honor to transmit
to you herewith translated copies of four pro-
tests against the recently ratified Russian extra
dition treaty which have been sent to me by
public assemblies or organized associations of
Russian and Polish refugees in various parts Of
Europe. They primarily intended. as will
be seen, for the people OF the United States,
but i, seems to me proper that they should also
be submitted to the peoples chief executive
officer, and 1 beg leave, therefore, to bring
them to your attention.
am, with sincere respect,
Your obediep. servant,
GEORGE KEENAN,.
FEDERATION OF POLISH IMMIGRANTS IN EUROPE
GENEVA. SWITZERLAND, April %, 1898.
George Kennan, Washington, DC:
Monsieur: We have learned with a deep sense
of moral revolt that the United States OF
America have entered into an agreement with
the autocrxtie government of Russia concern
ing q treaty Of extradition which is to be appli-
cable to all persons accused of participation in
plots against the personal safety OF the car or
the members of his family. As exiied citizens
Of q nation that has been fighting for a century
against subjugation to this same archaic despot-
ism, we are fully able to appreciate the danger
that such treaty would be to the cause of lib
erty and the advantages that it would secure to
the Russian government.
We are not pleading our own cause. The
question involved is not question of social or
political changes-still less Of men-in our own
country. and we are able, therefore, to form an
independent Judgment with regard to it. We
are able as forced subjects of a wicked and I'M
scrupulous government. to judge as to its polit-
cal motives, with full knowledge of the case.
No legal treaty is possible without juridieal
guarantees. and no guarantees can have any
value without public control. In a state where
arbitrary administration is The rule, whers pub
hcity is forbidden. this extra6ition treaty. il
signed, would be equivalent to n sanction. given
by free people. to all the excuses, abuses and
injustice of a vindictive despotism, over which
control T. our voice reaches the American
people-and authorize you. monsieur. to
call their attention to tive hope it may be
heard a protest in the name of humanity and
in the name OF menaced Justice against the ex-
ecution of this skillfully devised plot.
In the name of the Polish federation.
(Signed) s. BALIcKI. President.
i. SLoNCZEwsKI, Secretary.
RUSSIAN SUBJECTS OF VARIOUS NATIoSALIrIEs..
ZURICH, SWITZERLAND.
March 80. 1893.
Citizens Of the United States of America:
We, Russian subjects of various nationalities,
have received the sorrowful news that the Sem
ate of the United States of America at its SEES
sion of February last, voted. BY majority of
two-thirds, in favor Of treaty with the Rus
sian government providing for the extradition
Of all persons accused OF taking part in any at
tempt upon the life of the car or of any MEM
Der Of his family by deed or by conspiracy. We
feel ourselves bound TO appeal to you, citizens
of America. to you whose name has become a
synonym for liberty. For centuries the Russian
government has been violent, brutal and unjust
but no single reign in Russia has been stained
with so many vile and contemplate acts of
autocratjc despotism that of Alexander Ill
Chronic famine. epidemics. the suppression of
schools. ignorance of the masses and shameless
non-recognition Of all the peoples rights-even
Of their human dignity-these are the fruits of
autocracy in our country. Citizens of America.
you not know what the Russian government
means when it SPEAKS of political Grim
inals? Do you not know what shameless de-
ception it is willing to practice in order
to satisfy its personal vengeance? You are
members of a nation which upholds the princi-
pies Of culture and freedom-in the name OF
those principles refuse this disgraceful treaty
with the Russian government. the defender of
ignorance. license and slavery. Do not let the
end Of the nineteenth century witness such an
outrage to culture. freedom. humanity, and
above, all to America
The above resolution was adopted on the
90th Of March by a meeting of thirty-two
Russian subjects, in whose name we sign ii.
(Signed) K. GRoNKoFsKY, Chairman.
r. MELcHARsKY, Secretary.
THE POLISH SOCIETY IN LONDON.
1874 CITY ROAD,
LoSroS, E C., April &C. 1898.
The news having reached US that the Senate
Of the United States of America has passed in
secret session a resolution to the effect that if
any Russian subject charged with having at
tempted the life OF the car or any member of
the imperial family by deed or conspiracy. and
who takes refuge in the United States of
America, shall be returned by the American
authorities to be dealt with according to official
Russian practices
We, members Of the Polish Society in Lon
don. assembled in the Polish Club, 134 City
road, have resolved as follows:
I. While strongly disclaiming all sympathy
With assassination, We solemnly protest against
the proposal to introduce in an extradition
treaty between the United States and Russia a
clause which would practically deprive any
Russian subject accused of conspIring against
the government Of the sacred right Of asylum
on American soil.
q We appeal to the American people against
such q measure, Of which we are sure they
would not approve if it were brought to their
knowledge.
3. And that we respectfully petition the Pres
tdent OF the United States Of America 30
bis power and influence to give sanction only
to such treaties between the United States and
Russia az shall secure to political refugees from
Russia the protection Of the American flag.
(Signed) Il. WIERzBICKI, President.
j. WOJrKIEwICZ, Secretary.
THE LEEDS SCHOOL BOARD.
LEEDS, ENGLAND. April Is, 1898.
The following resolution was unanimously
adopted at a meeting held in the BOARD school,
Cover street, Leeds, on the 18th of April, 1898:
Resolved, That this meeting OF more than
1000 Russian immigrants. residing in Leeds