The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-09-28
PROTECTION OF CITIZENS.
No Discrimination In Treatment OF
Native. Born and Naturalixed.

Native. born and Naturaiixed.
Dispatches from st, Petersburg rep
resent the Russian press as comment
Ing in dazed manner upon the efforts
OF the United States government to
protect its Jewish citizens In foreign
countries, The Journal de st. Peters,
burg editorially characterixes as "stu-
pefying" and article in recent French
paper which professed TO explain Pres
ident Roosevelts desire TO gain more
liberal treatment for Russian Jews nat
uralized In the United States and re-
visiting Russia with passports as Amer
lean citizens.
In his letter of acceptance President
Roosevelt gave an authoritative account
of the ground taken by his own admin
istration and that of President McKm-
ley as regards the protection of Amer
lean citizens OF foreign birth, or Of
particular creed, who desire to travel
abroad" the phrase Is quoted from the
letter of acceptance, II Is alone as an
example Of condensed and accurate
meaning. instructive. Continuing,
President Roosevelt says:
Russia. for instance. refuses TO ad-
NIT and protect Jews. Turkey refuses
to admit and protect certain sects OF
Christians. This government has con-
sistently demanded equal protection
abroad for all American citizens, wheth-
er native Of naturalixed. On March
81, 1899. Secretary Hay sent u letter
OF instructions to all the diplomatic
and consular officers OF the United
States, in which he said: This depart
ment does not discriminate between ma
tive born and naturalized citizens in
according them protection while they
are abroad, equality OF treatment be-
ing required by the laws OF the United
States
These orders to our agents abroad |
have been repeated again and again,
and are treated as the fundamental rule |
Of conduct laid down for them, pro-
ceeding upon the theory that all nat.
uralized citizens OF the United States
while in foreign countries are entitled |
to and shall receive from the govern.
ment the same protection Of persons
and property which Is accorded to ma
tive born citizens"
He further declares that In issuing
passports the state department never
discriminates or alludes to any mans
religion, and that in granting to every
American citizen, native Of naturalized,
Christian or Jew, the same passport,
so far as 1t insists that all foreign
governments shall accept the passport
as prima facie proof that the person
therein described Is citizen of the
United States and entitled to protec-
ton as such. 1t is a standing order to
every American diplomats and con-
sular officer to protect every American
,itizen, of whatever faith, from unjust
nolestation; and our officers abroad
,ave been stringently required to COM /.
ply with this order"
This enunciation Of a course Of ac-
ion is backed by the cause Of justice.
rhe reception recently given the Amer
can idea Of religious liberty in certain
quarters on the continent Of Europe at
aches additional pertinence to the
with which Mr.. Roosevelt
losed that section of his letter which
he devoted to the discussion OF the
heme. 1T is striking evidence" he
ays, of our opponents insincerity In
his mater that with their demand for
adical action by the state department