The state herald., 1904-09-30
PROTECTION OF CITIZENS.
No Discr inntion In Treatment of
Native born and NaturaIIzcd.

Dispatches from st. Petersburg Wprc-
sent the Russian press as commenting in
dazcd manner upon the efforts of the
United States government to protect its
Jewish citizens in foreign countries. The
Journal de st. Petersburg editorially
characterizes as 'stupefying" an article
in recent French paper which profcsscd
to explain President Rooseyelt's desire
to gain more liberal treatment for Rus.
sian Jews naturnlized in the United
States and revisiting Russia with pass
ports as American citizens.
In his letter OF acceptance President
Roosevelt gave an authoritative account
of the ground taken by his own admins
traton and that of President Mckinley
as regards the protection of American
citizens of foreign birth, or of particu-
lar creed, who desire to travel abroad v
the phrase is quoted from the letter of
acceptance. 1t Is alone as an example
of condensed and accurate meaning, in-
structivc. Continuing, President Roosc-
welt says:
Russia. for instance. refuses to admit
and protect Jews. Turkey refuses to ad-
nit and protect certain sects of Chris
tians. This government has consistently
demanded equal protection abroad for all
American citizens, whether native or
naturalized. On March 81. 1890, Secre-
tary Hay sent letter of instructions to
all diplomatic and consular officers of
the United States, in which he said:
This department does not discriminate
between native born and naturalized citi-
zcns In according them protection while
they are abroad. equality of treatment
hnt h.v, /, tn,,t .,St ft,ttn tnI
States
"rhcse orders to our agents abroad
have been repeated again and again, and
are treated as the fundamental rule OF
conduct laid down for them proceeding
upon the theory that all nnturalizcd citi-
zens OF the United Stdtes while in for.
eien countries are entitled TO aud shal!
receive from this government the same
protection OF persons and property which
is accorded to native born citizens"
He further declares that in issuing
passports the State Department never
discriminatcs or allndes to any mans re-
lieion, and that 'in granting to every
American citizen, native or naturalizcd
Christian or jew, the same passport, SO
far as il has power it insists that all
foreign governments shall accept the
passport as prima facic proof that the
person therein described is a citizen OF
the United States and entitled to protec-
ton as such. II is standing order to
every American diplomatic and consular
officer to protect every American citizen.
OF whatever faith, from unjust molesta-
ton; and our officers abroad have been
stringently required 10 comply with this
order"
This ennnciation OF course Of action
Is backed by the cause OF justice. The
reception recently given the American
idea OF religious liberty in certain quar-
ters on the continent OF Europe attaches
additional pcrtinence to the criticism
with which Mr.. Roosevelt closed that
section OF his letter which lie devoted to
the discussion OF the theme. at is a
striking evidence" he says. of our op-
poncnts' insincerity in this matter that
with their demand for radical action by
the State Department they couple de-
mand for reduction in our small mill
tgry establishment Yet they must know
that the heed paid TO our protests against
Ill treatment OF our citizens will he ex-
nctly proportionnte to the belief in our
ability to make these protests effective
should the need arise"