The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-11-17
RUSSIA'S REFUGEES.
An Effort to Save the Exiles at
San Francisco.
ARE THEY POLITICAL oFFENDBRs2

The Society of Americans for Russian
Freedom Believe They Are, and Their
Efforts May Result In Serious Contro-
versy Between Uncle Sam and Russia.
CHICAGO, Nov. 17.-Professor J. A. Hour
wich, instructor in the department Of po-
litical economy at the University of Chi
eago, left today for Snn Francisco. There
he will interpose In behalf of the ten ST.
berian refugees who arrived In this country
Nov. Q, and are now held In custody by
the United States authorities, pending q
settlement between this government and
Russia.
Professor Hourwich Is lawyer by pro-
fcsslon, and, together with Attorney Dar-
row, of this city, has been retained as
counsel for the refugees by the Society Of
Americans for Russian Freedom. Mr..
Hourwich is himself a Russian, having
been in the United States only few
years. He is thoroughly familiar with all
the intrigues Of the Russian government,
and is confident that he will be able to SO,
cure the release of the refugees. w. II.
6ehook, editor of the Russian Progress.
and Deputy Factory Inspector Bisno, of
this city, Editor Volkhosky, of the Lon
don Free Russia, and Lloyd Garrison, of
Boston, will also cooperate with the coun-
sci for the defense in collecting evidence
and rendering other assistance in the case.
In speaking Of the matter Mr.. Hourwich
said:
"Of course, the Russian government will
claim that these men are all criminal ref
ugees. In case this claim is substantiated
the refugees will be sent back to Siberia,
in accordance with an extradition treaty
ztaAt.. l.AA,. II.
Russia. But we, on the other hand ex-
pect to prove that they are merely political
refugees, in which case they will be re-
leased by the United States, and may be-
come American citizens"
How can you show that they are po-
litical refugeesS"
at has only been three years since was
in Siberia myself replied Mr.. Hourwieh,
land have in my possession list of 500
Siberian political refugees. Should the
names of these ten men now held in San
Francisco appear in this list the case will
be settled, as the 500 names have all been
authenticated"
''In the event of their names not appear
ing on the list l feel confident that we
will be able to find Russians in this
country who knew the men in Siberia,
and who will testify to the fact that they
were political prisoners. At any rate I
thi nix l shall be able to get them released
from Jail at once on a writ of habeas
corpus. You might add" continued Mr..
Hourwich, that we have tbA sympathy
as far as can learn Of ever. .iussian in
England and America. Every Russian
society in the country will do all in their
power to further our cause.n
alt is easy to forsee that this case is des-
tined to become case celebre. The con-
tention of the Russian government that
the men are criminals is vigorously de-
MED by the men themselves, and will be
vigorously combatted by the societies that
have become interested in the case It
may end in the Russian government max
ing a formal demand for the men, which,
If they are political offenders, must Of
course be denied.