The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-21
THIS COUNTRY AND THE RUS
SIAN JEWS.
History Of Our Diploma tic Treatment OF
Russian Policy Toward the Jews.


correspondence with the Russian Gov
eminent meets the approval Of all con-
| servative Americans. Even the repre-
sentatives Of the Hebrew organizations.
who recently called upon him, after their
conference with him and Secretary Hay
seem to have aoquiesced in its wisdom,
and no person familiar with the principles
of international law and comfy can for
moment doubt Il.
The Car and his Ministers know per-
fectly we'll the horror and indignation
aroused throughout the civilized worid
by the barbarities perpetrated upon the
unfortunate victims Of that outrage, ana
II the universal execration 1t has called FORM
does not prompt them to punish the per
petrators and to protect in the future the'r
Jewish subjects from such barbarities' no
official criticism from our Government
could avail to that effect.
The fact 10 that the Russian Government
had already notified the President, through
it's Ambassador, Count Cassini, as Mr.
Roosevelt himself informed the Hebrew
representatives, that proper punishment
will be inflicted on the guilty parties. In
the face Of such declaration, for this Gov
eminent to impeach the good faith OF the
Car by any sort OF protest. direct or In
direct, would be to perpetrate an insult
that would be resented by him and by his
people and that would probably defeat
the object 1t was intended to accomplish
In determining the proper course to be
pursued in this case the President. no doubt.
was largely influenced by his Secretary OF
State Mr.. Hay was not only able to supply
the general principles OF diplomacy in such
matters, but he could inform the Presi-
dent Of the history OF an attempt made by
this Government on previous occasion
to use its good Offices with Russia in behalf
Of the Jewish subjects OF that country.
1t 40 happens that Mr.. Hay was First
Assistant Secretary OF State in 1880, when
Mr.. Evarts, the then Secretary, wrote the
following letter to Mr.. Foster. our Minister
to Russia
I have received letter from Messrs. S. Wolf
and A. 3. Solomons Of this city. representing the
union Of American Hebrew Congregations, In
which they refer to newspaper statements lndlcat-
Ing that the Jews In Russia have recently been
subjected By tho Government there to extroor'
binary hardships, and expressing desire that the
Minister Of the United States TO st. Petersburg
may be Instructed TO make such representations
to the Car Government In the Interest OF religious
freedom and suffering humanity. as will best ac-
cord with the most emphasized sentiments OF the
American people" The writers Of the letter OBJ.
serve At the same time that they are well aware
OF the Improperly OF one nation interfering with
the internal Affairs Of another In matters Of purely
local character" You are sufficiently well IN
formed OF the liberal sentiments Of this Govern
ment TO perceive that whenever any pertinent
occasion may arise Its attitude must always be In
complete harmony with the principles Of extend
ing al rights and privileges without distinction on
account Of creed. and cannot fall therefore. TO con
duct any affair OF business or negotiation with the
Government to which you are accredited. which
may involve any expression OF the views OF this
Government In the subject, In q manner which Will
subscrve the interests OF religious freedom.
It would, Of course. be lnAdmissable for the Gov.
eminent Of the United States to approach the Gov
eminent OF Russia In criticism OF Its laws and regu
lations except far as such laws and regulations
may inJuriousy AFFECT citizens OF this country In
violation OF natural rights, treaty obligations. or
the provisions OF international law but 1t Is desired
that the Attitude Of the Minister - regards aues-
tons OF diplomatic cont roversy which Involve an
expression of view on this subject may be wholly
consistent with the theory on which this Govern
ment was founded
Mr.. Foster attempted to carry out these
instructions, and when a pertinent &C.
casion" arose. upon which it became his
duty TO protest against the treatment Of
Herbrew who was an American citizen, he
undertook to make a plea in behalf OF the
Russian Jews "a we'll. In q letter to Sec-
rotary Evarts. Dec. 80, 1880. he describes
the results:
In the course OF the conversation ! stated ~: 1
proper recognition Of the rights Of American Jews
ny Government took deep interes! In the ,ncora
ns oa and was s.,lsacd that il would be highly
TratIisd at the statement q the Minister that !.
ss 81
laws regarding the Jews Inc sd OF 'n o.,
re pSa FAT a. dscrmns;Ion ss.ias them the
laws ard Of placing this race upon an equal foot
De Giers said he sympa,h,sed fully in theory
with the views taken by my Government as most
s e.. sasjse s seu ia sss
ueGn long sses Of ~ the af Rsnn
sP had be- . Has snS sss'
This was polite. but not encouraging
From the came letter 1t appears that our
Minister subsequently renewed the con-
yersation with the Russian Minister OF
Foreign Affairs. who then. while represent
benefits Of the more liberal legislation
accorded to other subjects put some em-
barrassing questions to Mr.. Foster
Even In the United States had II not heen found
%.1s s: ncs 70
certain rights and privileges 10 DESIGNATED classes
81 sna s9i ss sn
the rights extended 10 other citizens,
Mr. Evarts was succeeded by Mr.. Blaine
as Secretary of State in 1881. The latter
was, perhaps, the most aggressive states
man that has 6lled the place in recent times,
but when he came to read this letter Of
Mr.. Foster no seems to have deemed 1t
necessary to call q halt on our Minister'S
well-meant efforts. He accordingly wrote
Mr.. Foster, July 70, 1881
I have observed that In your conference on this
subject heretofore with the Minister for Foreign
Affairs as reported In your Dispatches. you have
on aomc occasions given discreet expression to tho
feelings Of sympathy and gratifostion with which
IN ioro,sn coan,res n't The dlree,ion Of liberal
tolerance analogous to that which forms the funda
mental principle OF our national existence. Such
expressions were natural on your part and rejected
. sentiment which We all feel. But IN making the
Prcsldents views known TO the Minister. desire
to the simple consideration Of what Is conscien.
tiously believed 10 be due to our citizens IN foreign
ianda You will distinctly imprcss upon him that
reeArdful OF The sovereignty Of Russia, We do not
submit any suggestions touching the laws and
custo Of the ompre. except wrere these lava and
American citizens IS secured by treaty obliGations.
You may read this despatch TO- tho Minister for
Foreign Affairs. and should he desire copy you
viii give to him.
A copy was given % MIR, De Giers, and was
no doubt carefully fled for future use II
our Ambassador at st. Petersburg had been
instructed to present the casa OF the Kish-
ineff massacre to the Russian Government
it's Minister Of Foreign Affairs would have
quietly drawn forth Mr. Blaine's letter,