The record-union., 1893-06-24
THE RUSSIAN TREATY-wAS 1T
WORTH IT!

So much has been said of the new ex-
tradition treaty with Russia that with an
official copy at hand it is worth while TO
set forth precisely what the convention
is. 1t will be seen that as finally agreed
to it has not one of those objectionable
features concerning which so much COM
plant has been made, while it has at
least one defect.
We agree with Russia and she with US
10 extradite for the following of1enses,
but only upon such evidence Of crimi-
nality as, according to the Iaaos of the
place Of asylum, will Justify apprehen-
sion and commitment for trial, the
otfenses being: Murder and manslaugh-
ter. where voluntary; rape; abortion;
arson; burglary; robbery; larceny, in ex-
cess of $500, or 300 roubles; forgery and
utterance of forged paper, including pub
lie, sovereign or governmental acts; fab
rication or circulation of counterfeit
money, coin or paper, public bonds or
coupons, instruments of credit, stamps
snd seals of State and public administra-
tions; embezzlemenU of public money by
public officers or depositaries; other en-
bezzlement in excess of $500, or 800 rou-
bles; piracy or mutiny on shipboard
when possession is taken of the vessel by
fraud or violence, and finally, willfuI or
unlawful destruction or obstruction of
railroads which endangers human life.
There is nothing in the foregoing that
includes any offense that can be called
political, unless attempts to wreck trains.
to do murder and commit mutiny can be
so classed. But that is not possible
within reason. We cannot conceive of
any excuse for such ohenses on the plea
OF revolutionary or political action, ex-
cept there is an actual state of war, con-
diton Of armed belligerency, and IN such
cases the treaty provisions would not
apply.
But the third article of the treaty clears
away many doubts entertained on that
head and which formed the basis for the
recent petitions circulated throughout
the country. That article reads that
there shall be no surrender of a refugee
if it is made to appear that extradition is
sought with a view to punishment for
offenses Of political character, and that
in no case shall any person be tried or
punished for any other offense than that
for which surrendered, nor shall anyone
be surrendered for any offense COM
mitted prior to the date of the treaty.
To set the intention of this clause be-
yond the pale of doubt, this is added:
An attempt against the lie OF the head of
either Government, or against that OF any
member OF his family, when such attempt
com prlses the act of either murder or assaSsi-
nation or OF poisoning, or Of accessorshIn
thereto, shall not be considered a political
ouense or an act connected with such an
o1ense.
1t is further conditioned that neither
party shall be required to deliver up one
of its own citizens under the treaty; that
if one demanded is held for trial in the
other country, it shall be optional to pro-
ceed with the trial or surrender the pris-
Oner, provided the trial is for the crime
for which extradition is asked.
There is a provision for delivery Of
articles in possession or hidden by the
refugee, which relate to the crime, aided
in it, or that may serve to aid in his con-
viction; also any other article that may
serve to convict: but the rights of third
parties TO such articles shall be respected,
and if the articles are sent out it shall be
on guaranty of return to the third party
rights. This treaty takes effect and is in
full force on the 18th of the present
month, it having been proclaimed by the
President June 9TH.
AS we look at it, the treaty is fair
enough on its face and prinaa faete is in
the interest of civilization and aimed
only against the enemies of organized
society; but it is open to the objection
that there is no provision that in case an