Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-05-08
ANOTHER PROTEST
Through George Kennan Against the
Russian Treaty.

Russian Treaty.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., May 7.-George
Kennan has issued statement to the
press OF the United States in which he
says: "a group of educated and patri-
otic Russians, who are living temporar-
ily in one OF the cities OF Western Eu-
rope, have sent to me protest against
the recently ratified Russian extra
dition treaty, and have requested
me to lay it before the people OF
the United States. They have all sign
ed their names TO this address as a
means OF authentcating 1t to me. but
inasmuch as they are not political sus-
poets and intend, in short time, TO re-
turn TO their native land, they have
asked me to- regard their names, and
the name of the city where they happen
temporarily TO be, as confidential for
the reason that If their Identity were
known, they would be arrested and i'm
prisoned as soon as they should recross
the Russian frontier.
The address is to the people OF the
United States, and In part says: Your
Senate has recently ratified IN extradi-
tion treaty which proposes to surrender
to the Russian government all persons
accused Of making an attempt upon the
life Of the, Car or any member
of his family, either actively
or by connection with conspir-
acy having such an attempt In View.
As this treaty has not yet become law
through the signature OF your
President, we, a groupe OF Russians
living in the city Of -, In Western
Europe, who are well acquainted with
the internal administration OF our
country have decided, at a meeting
held on this 10th day OF April 1893,
to address to you few words
OF remonstrance. We regard IL
our duty as Russian citizens TO do this,
and we feel assured that you will give
TO our protest tho same consideration
that you have given TO other pro otests
against the action OF your Senate, and
that. as result OF such protests, public
opinion in tho United States will be ex-
pressed emphstIcally In opposition to
the proposed law.
The statements made to you with re-
gard TO the condition Of affairs In Rus
sia by persons who hold positions In
the service OF our government are un-
fair, partial, and In many cases abso-
lutely false; and we beg you not TO be-
lIeye them. The revolutionary struggle
in Russia, has been up to the present
time, nothing more than skirmish be-
tween the advanced intelligence OF So
ciety and an antiquated, outgrown
regime, which could only bring the
country into state OF complete econo-
mic atrophy.
at is impossible that you look upon
the Russian reyolutionists as wild,
bIoodthirsty fanatics, who have no re-
gard for the laws OF society or OF
humanity. Read tho descriptions OF
them in the works OF your American
travellers and you will come TO know
them better. You will also learn that
terrorism was the last means to which
they had recourse when they were abso-
lutely and completely deprived OF free
dom 10 live In accordance with their
convictions OF duty aud the dictates OF
their own conscience.
I'VE cannot expect serious reforms 10
Russia from above. such reforms Will
not be granted either as result OF
financial dIsorganization or as a coDces-
sion made 10 apprehension OF war. The
educated Russian public rely on its
strength and on the strength OK the
people, while you and your Senate, In
stead OF helping US, are giving your
support 10 the autocracy that oppresses
us. In so doing you are obstructing
universal progress. You can expect
nothing from Russia that is exhausted
and torn by the civil struggle. which,
despite the assurances OF the Russian
Secretary OF Legation, Is still go
ing on"