The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-08-12
RUSSIA LIMITS PASSPORTS
Signers Of Kishineff Petition May Not
Travel in Her Territory.
MANILA TO LOSE ITS CONSULATE

State Department Notified That Only in
Four Cities Hereafter Will Passports
to Russia Be Signed by Her Consular
Representatives-Iti ia Believed Count
Cassini Will Not Return to Washington
Washington, D. C.-Russia has made
an unexpected move, which is accepted
here that she has decided on retalla-
tory measures as q result of the kishl.
neff petition. and that there will be q
more strict examination Of Americans
who intend to travel in Russia.
Acting Secretary Loomis was noti-
fed by the Russian Charge that here
after passports issued. to American citi-
zens who expect to visit Russia will be
vised only at the Russian Embassy in
Washington and the Consulates in New
York, Chicago and San Francisco.
This cuts off Savannah, Mobile, Pensa-
cola. Baltimore, Philadelphia. Port
land, Ore, Galveston and Manila. at al!
Of which ports passports have hereto
fore been indorsed by the Russian con-
suls or agents:
The new order came from st. Peters
burg. Mr.. Loomis was not told why it
was issued, and was left to guess its
real purport One reason assigned by
State Department officers is that the
Gear has decided to reduce expenses
by abolishing the consulates at the
ports at which passports will be no
longer vised. This sweeping reduction
in Russias consular representation IN
the United States would in itself be
slap which diplomats especially would
be quick to recognize.
The real reason Is believed to be the
determination by Russia to exercise 4
much more strict supervision over
Americans who want to travel in that
country, with view to shutting out all
Of the prominent people who took a
leading part in the demonstrations IN
behalf of the prosecuted Jews follow.
ing the Kishineff massacre. This en-
barge may even extend to all the sign
ers Of the Kishinef petitions so far as
their names can be ascertained. The
largest demonstrations were held IN
Washington, New York. Chicago and
San Francisco, and the Russian consul
lar representatives in those cities have
complete lists of the men who are re-
garded with disfavor by Russia on ac-
count of their activity in behalf of the
Jews.
Passports issued by the State De-
partment for travel in Russia are Of no
value unless they bear the Endorsement
Of some Russian consular representa-
tive who has the necessary authority.
Any consul can refuse to indorse
passport for any reason or for none at
all, and even Secretary Hay or the
President cannot ask him why. Els
refusal to wise the passport ends all ar
gument. -,
The belief that Count Casslni will
not return to this country as Russian
Ambassador or in any other capacity
is growing. Mail gossip from st. Pet
ersburg speaks Of Alexander 1svolsky
as his probable successor. The same
ldyices hint that the United States may
be deprived of the presence Of any Rus
sian Ambassador for some time. MIR.
Isvolsky was until recently Russian
Minister to Japan, and until the Count
Cassinis return was said to be slated
| for the Danish mission. He was for
merly one Of the Secretaries OF the
| Embassy in Washington.