The San Francisco call., 1897-06-01
RUSSIA AND THE JEWS.
The Case of B0nk.r Kuiner of fresno
ReSuTrscts Interesting Diplomatic
CorreSpo1de1ce

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 81 Gre
goire de Wollant, Russian Charge d. Af-
faires, sends a communication to the Post
in reference to the matter of Banker Kut-
ner of Fresno. lie says:
"In the New York Herald this affair Is
represented as an exclusion of all Jews
from Russian soil and as an invidious dis
tinction against certain American cit
izens. The best answer l could give 10
this article is contained in a letter of
Prince Lobanoff to Mr.. Breckinridge of
June 26. 1895, as follows:
desire first and foremost TO make this dis
tinction: That the refusal 10 wise which has
been given III certain eases By our consular
authorities is in no wise founded on objections
properly religious; indeed If it was at all The
fact of belonging TO the Jewish religion which
was an obstacle Tor certain foreigners TO be
admitted into Russia, the law would extend
this Introduction to all the members of that
religion.
Now, on the contrary it recognizes formally
the right OF whole category OF Israeites to
enter ana the selection which it has made of
the very cRtegories proves that it has bee Il
guided in this question solely by considera-
tions of an International administrative har-
acter, which has nothing IN common witE a
religious point OF view.
1t is not necessary TO say to you, Mr.. Minis
ter, that the broadest spirit of liberation for
ali cults forms the very basis of Russian laws.
The Jewish religion is no more prohibited in
Russia than in the United States Ii
is even legally recognized here and enjoys
here certain privileges. but when, for motives
of internal order Russian law raises obstacles
to the entrance OF certain catcgories of for
eigners upon our territory, the Russian Con-
snls, who can neither be ignorant OF nor over
look the law, are In the necessity of refusing
the wise to persons whom they know belong
in these cate Iories.
/ will add, even, that in forewarning on the
spot the persons who address themselves to
them TO obtain vises they save them diff
cultfes and dangers which they would en-
1t is a question moreover OF q general legisla-
tive measure which applies TO certain cate
gorieS of Israelites of all countries whatsoever.
As to the American constitution, I must
confess that II seems TO me 10 be here beside
the question. The article of the constitution
which you are good enough to mention, and
which prescTibes that no religion is prohibited
in the United States, is by the very nature OF
things placed outside of all prejudice by
the consular authority. He has neither Ia
prohibit nor authorize the exercise in Amer
lea of any cult, ana The fact OIL his wise being
accorded or refused is not at all an attack
upon any established religion. 1t is the con-
sequence OF foreign law OF an administrative
character which only has its effect outside OF
the territory OF the Union.
"In the article quoted from your es-
teemed paper it Is stated that l said: We
have no use for you or your class of people
in our country Permit me TO say that
l protest with the utmost energy
against this last sentence. 1t is
rudeness which / would never
allow myself with any body, and especially
with persons coming 10 my house. / have
always thought it the duty of an official
or magistrate to act ir conformity with
the laws of his country, and also to alb.
stain from the use OF any personal re-