The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-06-26
.PRECEDENIS At HAND
FOR PRESIDENTS ACT
Previous RemOnStrances to
Russia Regarding Jews.
FIRST CASE UNDER ARTHUR
Mr.. Blaine's Note to Minister Smith
Calling Attention of Effect of Out
RACES on United States.

There are precedents. after all. for the
purposed action of President Roosevelt
in sending the protests OF the American
jews with reference to the Kishinev
massacre to the Gar.
In 1882. when Arthur was President,
this Government. in a case analogous 10
the Kishinev massacre, except that the
latter was far greater in its enormity
and sanguinsry results. directed the at
tention OF the Russian government TO the
matter in a note TO the American min
lister at ST. Petersburg. which he was di-
rected to read to NJ. De Giers. the Rus
sian premier In this note Secretary FIRE.
linghuysen said: The people OF the
United States have heard with great re
gret the stories of the sufferings OF the
Jews In Russia" and expressed the
hope that the imperial government will
find means TO cause the persecution of
these unfortunate fellow-beings to
cease"
More Recent Case.
A more recent and equally pertinent
case occurred during the Administration
of President Harrison and while James
c. Blaine was Secretary of State. As
in the case above recited, this Govern
ment presented a friendly remonstrance
against the continued persecution Of the
Jews in Prussia. In his annual message
to Congress. December, 1891, President
Harrison said:
This Government has found occasion
TO express in a friendly spirit. but with
much earnestness. to the government
of the Gar its serious concern because
OF the harsh measures now being en-
forced against the Hebrews in Russia"
In his notes to Charles Emory Smith,
who was then minister to Russia. Secre-
tary Blaine describes the acts Of perse
Cution and discusses at length the pro-
scriptive laws of Russia against the
Jews and especially with relation TO the
effect of such acts and proscriptive laws
in forcing the prosecuted people to emil
CRATE TO the United States.
Tax Upon This Country.
eve are not forgetful.' said Mr..
Blaine. "of the ties of good relationship
that have long subsisted between the
United States and Russia, and of the
friendly acts Of Russia toward our coun-
try in the past The Government and
people of the United States are fully
animated with a desire 20 preserve this
cordially of feeling. and for this rea-
son they the more strongly depreoate
the enforcement in Russia. in respect
to a portion of her people, OF measures
which not only arouse a general feeling
of disappointment but which also oper-
ate TO impose a tax upon the charitable
and humane in this country. The Gov
eminent of the United States does not
assume to influence the internal policy
OF ether nations or to make suggestions
as to what their internal laws should
be or as TO the manner in which they
should be administered. Nevertheless
the mutual duties Of nations require thai
each should use it's power with a due
regard for the results which its exer-
else produces on the rest Of the world D
In Line With Precedents.
Mr.. Smith was instructed to read thii
note to u. De Giers, minister of foreigl
affairs. which was done. The matte
was very fully discussed between NJ. D.
Giers and Minister Smith, but It doe
not appear that a written note was re
ceived in response 10 Mr.. Blaine's notes
The transmission Of the petition OF tn
Bnal B rith with a note from this Gov
eminent deprecating the massacre a
Kishinev and urging the adoption o
corrective measures will be in line wit
these precedents. But while it is prob
able the note and petition will be re
ceived from the American charge a
ST. Petersburg. It is likely that no re
sponse will be made to them other tha
a polite acknowledgment OF receipt
and probably a verbal discussion Of tn
situation between the charge and tn
Russian foreign Office.