The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1903-03-20

While somewhat varied opinions were
expressed by prominent Hebrews in
New York city the other day in regard
to the cars new decree proclaiming
freedom Of religion in his domain the
general opinion was that it was Of vast
and widespread Importance to He
brews In Russia as well as to Russia
itself. Some doubt was expressed as
to the exact meaning of the decree,
however, and Richard J. n. Gottheil,
professor Of Semitic languages at Co
lumbia university, dissented somewhat
from the opinion Of others, declaring
the decree did not give to the Hebrews
In Russia what they most needed. says
the New York Herald. s13
Oscar S. Straus. former minister to
Turkey, when seen at his New York
home. expressed himself somewhat en-
Enthusiastically about the decree of the
Russian car:
"If the cars decree as reported
means what the language indicates
Mr.. Stratus said, ut will usherin a new
era for Russia. Russia had begun to
take a long step forward in the march
of civilization several years before the
death Of the late czar. This was gem
orally. known and felt and made his
untimely end a aAdeplorable calamity for
the suffering millions in that vast EN-
pire. b;
Unfortunately the young czar, who.
succeeded his father, fell under the
domination of the reactionary party
headed by Pobiedonostseff, procurator
general of the holy synod. This man,
who has apparently dominated the czar
and his surroundings, has proved to be
q veritable Torquemada and introduced
the pitiless policy Of determination
against all dissenting religious sects.
and as result the great suffering fell
upon that simple and unoffending sect
the Stundists and upon the 100000
Jews.
Deaths caused by these prosecutions
will far outnumber the losses in the
Napoleonic wars. At the same time
hundreds and thousands of capable
and energetic men have left the empire
as refugees to enjoy some measure Of
freedom. By persons somewhat famil-t
lar with the conditions Of affairs in
Russia and by diplomatic representa-
tives who came in contact with the
present czar it was believed he was a
man who desired to carry forward the
liberal policy inaugurated by his ia
ther.
Some few months ago it was re-
ported that the procurator general of,
the holy synod had been removed or
compelled to resign That fact fore
shadowed a more liberal policy, and
this is not only now corroborated, but
definitely and touchingly stated in the
opening paragraphs of the decree |
believe this will mark a new era for
the Russian empire. 1t is as signifi-
.cant ii step forward within the boundar
:ries OF the great empire as was the IN
vitation sent by this young car last
year to the ciyiIized nations of the
world to come together In q peace con
gress. sas
This decree, lie 1T means an thing
and, as I read It, il the light of events.
+ think it means very much will se-
cure religious freedom to all nonortho-
ldox sects. Christians and Hebrews
alike. Unless it does this it would be-
a mockery. Politically, as I read it
the decree signifies further emancipa-
ton Of the lower classes in Russia, thati
great class that was nominally freed
from serfdom in the previous reign I,
Professor Gottheil, who besides his
professorship at Columbia is president
Of the American Federation Of Zionists,
nfter reading the cars decree, said It
was SO delightfully."- vague IT might
mean anything and probably meant
nothing. II :s$ 81 "a 3ss sss.s ~ II
Il ssThere seems to be no doubt that the
young car is animated by the very
best motives" Professor Gottheil add
lea. s.and wishes to do something for
fha betterment OF his people. What he he
wishes to do is not apparent from the
.rescript, and even Il It We're IT is very
quest i0nable whether a ruler 30 com, com
|pletely governed by his state officials
10 y ma cxar could really make his,
Swtshes felt One feels like smiling at
the soineWhat naive statement IN re-
EeaEd to ths prtncjp ples of toieration laid
|1oMn ~ he f1nd amental laws Of the
y Sss s.sss M I,