Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1903-03-20
VIEWS ON THE
CARS DECREE.
Expressions Of Prominent He
brews and a Social Reformer.
WILL USHER IN NEW ERA IN RUSSIA

Oscar s. Straus Speaks Thus Enthu-
sinstically of Nicholas HIS Re-
script, but Professor j. II. Gottheil
Doubts It's Practical Value-'Mere
Promises" Declares Ernest II.
Crosby.
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. II. 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.
Oscar S. Straus, former minister to
Turkey, when seen at his New York
home, expressed himself somewhat ell
Enthusiastically about the decree of the
Russian cZar:
"If the cars decree as reported
means what the language indicates"
Mr.. Straus said, at will usher in new
era for Russia. Russia had begun to
take long step forward in the march
of civilization several years before the
death of the late car. This was gen.
orally known and felt and made his
untimely end deplorable calamity for
the suffering millions in that vast en-
pire.
Unfortunately the young car, 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 car
and his surroundings, has proved to be
a veritable Torquemada and introduced
the pitiless policy of determination
against all dissenting religious sects,
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-
lar with the conditions of affairs in
Russia and by diplomatic representa-.
tives who came in contact with the
present car it was believed he was a
man who desired to carry forward the
liberal policy inaugurated by his ia
Their.
"Some few months ago it was re-
ported that the procurator general OF
the holy synod had been removed OF
compelled to resign. That fact fore.
Swallowed 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 new era fol
the Russian empire. 1t is as signif.
cant step forward within the bounda'
ries Of the great empire as was the in.
vitation sent by this young car last
year to the civilized nations of the
world to come together in peace con.
gress.
"This decree, if it means anything
and, as | read it, in the light of events
think it means very much-will Sc
cure religious freedom to all nonOrtho
dox sects, Christians and Hebrews
alike. Unless it does this it would bt
mockery. Politically, as read it
the decree signifies further emancipa
ton of the lower classes in Russia, that
great class that was nominally freed
from serfdom in the previous reign"
Professor Gottheil, who besides hi,
professorship at Columbia is president
of the American Federation Of Zionists
after reading the cars decree, said i
was so delightfully."- vague it nigh
mean anything and probably mean
nothing,