The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-04-19

W~AsnISGtoS, D. G.. April ls.-Tho
diplomatic corro,poud0nce botwoon
Russia and tho United States for last
year Just published, relates largely to
the condition oil tho Isrealitos In Russia
and their immigration 10 tho United
slates, this being In May. 1903, whom
Secretary Gresham tolographed Minister
White as to tho sdict against Jows, and
which 1t was supposed would result In
u largs cmmigration OF tina. people to
the United States. Minister White, In
reply, stated that there wa, a tendency
to creator rlgor on the part oil tho gov.
ornment In Ito treatmont OF the Jows.
As to tho laws or orders regarding this
people, he said:
THE treatment OF tho Israelite,,
whethor good or evil. IL not basad en-
tirely upon any ono ukase or statute ;
there are said to be In the vast jungle OF
tho laws OF this empire, more than 1000
DEGREES and statutes relating to them,
besides innumerable circulars. open OF
secret, regulations, restrictions, extern.
sions, and temporary arrangements,
general. special and local, forming such
II tangled growth that probably no
human being can say what the law as n
whole, is-leas. OF all can a Jew In any
province have any certain knowledge
OF his rights"
lie discusses at length tho condition
OF the Jews in Russia and the contempt
in which they are held by all classes Of
Russians. Neiy small opportunitie,
are afforded for tho education Of Jews,
and even whore they form the greater
bulk oil population only q third are al.
lowed to hold municipal Offices. lie
says tho religious restrictions are most
Illogical aud incom prohcnsibte. The
Russians charge the Jews with fanatic.
ism, but Mr.. White says they cannot be
rendered less so by the treatment they
received.
The Jews were more kindly treated
by Alexander II. and Mr.. White attri.
butes the reaction against them to the
assassination OF that monarch. He
closes by saying that the policy Of
Russia is driving the iowa out Of the
country, many OF whom are destined to
come to the United States.
After this despatch Mr.. Gresham
writes to Mr.. Webb, secretary Of the
legation. saying:
The continued enforcement OF such
harsh measures, NECESSARILY forcing
upon US large numbers OF degraded and
4 Nn.laaIrahla Naranna tshN rr l..
great measures, be supported. canno.
be regarded as consistent with the
friendship which tho Russian govern
mcnt has long protsssed for the United
States"
Some further correspondence eusued
and IN January Mr.. Webb informed Sec
rotary Gresham that the final expulsion
OF tho Jews from the province OF St.
Petersburg was extended until June,
1895. Mr.. White soon after informed
the department that the Russian gov
crnment absolutely denied that il was
assisting jewish %emigrants to the
United States. Another letter quotes
from a German paper saying tina. it was
determined to send the best Jewish
emigrants to tho Argentine and the
helpless were to he assisted to the
Uuited States.
Another question raised wasthe right
OF a naturalized citizen OF tho United
States to relinquish his citizenship and
become n Russian citizen. Mr.. Gresham
SAYS this right is unluestioned.
4 diplomatic question was raised
| over Joseph Wingfeld, an American
citizen OF African descent, fourteen
years old, who was going to St Petcrs.
burg as 4 servant OF a resident OF that
city. He was stopped n, the frontier,
but through the intervention OF Mr..
White, wa, allowed to proceed, but tho
Russian government refuses to allow
him TO remain unless he has n passport.
The objections 10 issuing him u pass.
| port was not that he was under age, but
that he went to St. Petersburg with the
intention OF remaining five years. AZ.
sis.ant Secretary Uhl said that a pass.
port might issue to n minor upon salts
factory proof that he intended to return
to the United States before obtaining
his majority.