The Portland daily press., 1895-04-19
Investigation Made by Minister
White at st. Petersburg
REGARDING THE EALLEGED AT
Temps TO EXPEL JEWS.
Suffering Among the Russian Hebrews is
Great-The Present Policy Tends to
Drive Them From the Country and the
United States Receives the Greater
Share-Russia Resents Any Criticism.


United States Receives the Greater
Share-Russia Resents Any Criticism.
Washington, April 1s.-Our late minister
| to Russia, Prof. Andrew d. White, con-
tributed to the files OF the State Department
| a comprehensive essay on the condition of
the lsraelites in Russia and the effects of
their forced emigration to the United
States. Soon after the beginning of the
present administration Secretary Gresham
sent a dispatch to our minister at st.
Petersburg stating that representations
were made here that the Russian govern
ment was about to enforce ar edict against
the Jews, which would result in large emil
grafton of destitute people of that class to
the United States, and desiring the minister
to ascertain the facts and report as speedi-
ly as possible the terms of the edict, and its
possible effect. Minister Whi1e replied
there has been DO new edict banishing
Israelites from Poland, but old edicts have
recently been enforced in various parts of
the Empire with inc reased severity.
Mr.. White in reply. says that there are
five million Israe1ites in Russia forming, its
called, more than half of the entire Jewish
race. These are packed together in cities
and villages of what was formerly Poland
and the adjacent governments. In explana-
tion of the question raised abroad as to the
strangeness OF nations wishing to expel
people who, in other parts of the world had
amassed so much wealth. the fact is stated
that but very small frac tion of them in
Russia are wealthy, and few even in COM
Portable circumstances. The vast ajority
of them are in poverty, and very consider
able part in misery and just on the border
OF starvation. Even In parts OF the Empire
where the lsraelites are most free, they are
not allowed to hold property in land or take
mortgage on land, or to farm land, and of
late they have been, to large extent pre
vented from living on farms and are thrown
into cities and villages.
jewish manufacturers Lave. at times
even under the present reign, have been
crippled by the laws or regulations for
bidding them 10 employ Christian workmen.
These are understood to be not now in
force.
Few Israelites are allowed to become enei-
neers, and they are allowed to held five per
cent of the positions of army surgeons and
no more. AS a rule they are debarred from
discharging any public functions of import
ance. In reference to the claim that the
Jews were restricted because they lend
money to peasants at enormous rates of in
terest, Minister White points out that in
dividuals in parts of Russia where no Jews
are permitted, made loans at a much higher
rate than the Jews ever ventured TO charge. |
Another charge against the Jews, treated
by Mr.. White, is the allegation that, al |
though Emperor Alexander III. has shown
ittSa
than his predecessors, The proportion of
lsraelites implicated in various movements
against him, especially In Nihilistic move
ment, and in the final plot which led to his
assassination. was far beyond the numeri-
cal proportion of their race in Russia 10 the |
entire population. This feeling. rays Mr.. |
White, was at the bottom of the cruel perse-
cutions of Israelites by the peasants just |
after the death of the late Emperor, has
much to do with the prejudicea Of various |
personages of high influence as well as of
the vast mass of people which still exist.
After reviewing other charges against the |
prescribed people, Mr.. White sums up by
saying. that the whole present condition
of things is rather the outcome of a xreat
complicated mass of causes involving racial |
ant1pathies, remembIances of financial ser
vitude. vague inherited prejudices, with
myths and legends like those of the middle |
ages.
The present policy regarding the Israe elites
Mr.. White states, is driving them out of the
country in great masses. principally to the
United States, and the Argentine Republic. |
lie points out hat of the present attempted
classification" of the Cars dominions is
partly responsible for Jewish persecution. |
Any discussion regarding the change is gem
orally met by the statement that Russian
questions are largely misreprasented by the
press of Western Europe. England does
and.allows orse things in:herIrish evictions,
and in her opium traffic. and the United
States in lynch law proceedings and the
treatment Of the Chinese than any done or
allowed in Russia, and that Russia is CON- |
petent to take charge of her own inter-
national policy, and that other powers will !
Go well to mind their own business, Mr.. |
White predicts that reaction cannot be
Iona deferred.
Pauncefote Declines to Interfere.
Washington, April lS.-The British am |
Sir milan poupoaSota