The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-29
THE NEW RUSSIAN MINISTER
OF THE INTERIOR.
Prince syiet0polk.M irsky as Judged From
a Jewish Point OF View.

jewish POint OF view.
To THE EDITor OF THE SUN-Sir: The APP
pointment OF Prince Mirsky TO the Russian
Ministry OF the Interior is not unsatisfactory
from the Jewish point Of view. Coming on
the heels OF the recent ukase Of Nicholas H.,
laying stress upon the undertaking observ-
ance OF the principles Of tolerance laid down
by the fundamental laws of the Russian En-
Dire, which, ecognizing the Orthodox Church
as the ruling one. grant to all followers of
other religions and to all foreign confessions
freedom Of creed and Of worship, according TO
their own rites. the choice of De Plehves
successor may be taken as a definite intima-
ton to the world that there Is to be no going
back as a result OF the assassination OF the
late Minister of the Interior. Prince Nrsky
promises an era OF true and broad liberal
ISM" But this is not to be OF a nature to
change the established order OF things.
Asked II his accession to ONCE would be
Married by great changes In the domestic
policy Of Russia. the Prince replied in the
negative.
II we examine Prince Mirsky's attitude
toward the Jews in particular. We find the
same air of diplomatic bargaining. 1T IL salts
factory to observe that the Jewish lot Ia not
to be positively aggravated. In addition,
Prince Mirsky assures us that he is mot hos
tile to the Jews. According to one account.
he declared that his attitude toward them
would be one of great good will."h
When he was Governor General Of wilma,
he refused to sanction the severe recon-
mendations of the Jewish commission"
June last rImor was recorded to the effect
that Prince Mirsky had emphatically advo-
Gated the entire abrogation Of the nnti-Jewish
code OF Gen. Isnatief, one Of his predecessors
as Minister Of the Interior. and that this atti-
tude had considerable effect In influencing
the highest Government circles
The policy toward the Jews sketched by
the new Minister is satisfactory 80 far as 1t
goes. But Il appears t9 S be no more efeetiye
lion, Like The prosramme Of be, PlehSe, it
Solution Of the Jewish question saIaiity
81 the jew with the rest Of the population.
II he says we were e to give them 1.-THE jews
the orthodox. they would rn pidly acquire too
much Importance"
' posy sSd that e III ~ Rssns
aging Jewish emigration. But Prince GrsRy
accommodate himself to The perpetual eS-
Of poe T TSo fes1
np 5,hS sa6sri9{rs o There ]. no dspsnssa
OF things with the elements Of permgnence.
II P .bsn NJ Df ths first
snrdity OF a policy which aims at creating
q subject class from among tire best OF tho
brain and moral fibre. Such
policy can only have one end--GiFn ffectioa
among the Jews at home, perpetual friction
with the growing Jewish forces abroad 1t
Is policy which has no f1nality and Is hun
dreds OF years behind the spirit Of the times.
There Is an even more serious aspect 70 it.
Anti-Iewish riots have once more broken
out in various parts Of the Cars doninlons
A new year OF Jewish life tScpt. I0J was dis-
figured on Its opening day by grave outbreaks
ut Sospowioe and Hovno. These were pre-
coded by another "pogrom" at smels, In the
Government OF Klef. We read OF tho GUS
tomary footing of property and injury OF
PERSONS. In Rovno, the part of rineleader
seems to have been played IA usual, by d
number Of soldiers: while the helpless police
1t Smela called In vain upon the military for
assistance. These disturbances are the In
,ritahle concomitants OF the present trent
nent OF the Jews. No matter how henevo-
ent the personal intentions OF Prince Mirsky,
he political ostracism OF the Jews. TO which
70 pins his faith. must remain standing In
'itement to riot and Outrage.
Ae long as the Russian Government places
ts Hebrew population In a condition OF mod-
led outlawry, SO long the mob will hold itseif
rated by Russian rioters. II Prince Mlrsky
man Of peaoe--as his very name indicates
land q statesman Of wide views. he must
scard the futile policy Of Jewish servjtude,
otherwise there can be neither security for
lussla nor hope for the Jews.
New YORK. Sept. 20. IsiDoR sfNoER.