New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-07-11
JEWS WHO RETURN TO RUSSIA.
statement by Congressman williams st 81.
Louis Wholly Misleading.

70 the Eeitor Of The Tribune.
Sir: John SHARP Williams. usually so accurate in
E.aternent. bat perhaps affected ~ tho hot air OF
the s. Louiz Convention Coliseum. declared n his
seynotc speech the other day.
'.I-.el True, I say. A Daniel TO judgment
~. ou- fellow citizens ct Russian birth and Jewish
extraction wro cannot procure from the State De-
pa-t1.e.t E passport 10 revisit Russia without be-
ing cautioned that they VIII not be protected there
". read this part % the Republican platform
,c-s.Ezring its source with singular establishment"
This statement is wholly miaieadinG. When an
American citizen OF Russian origin receives pass
mort from tho State Department he receives no
tee showing what are the provisions OF Russian
law liable 10 affect him. IN order that he may ne
forearued not 10 incur danger through ignorance
An American citizen OF German origin receives a
similar notice 10 German law when passport Is
granted 10 hin; q citizen of Austrian origin re-
ceires one as TO Austria; OF Turkish origin as TO
Turkey. OF Portuguese origin as TO Portugal; OF
T+arfan origin as 10 Italy, and so for all coun-
,-fss which have laws Liable TO affect naturalized
American citizen when he returns.
NJ Uniiagns's statement is disproved by Docu-
noegt No $50 LEIIth Congress. frst session. This
as TIE resolution q Representative GoldfogIs. OF
>5au-York calling upon the Secretary OF state %
s+ara I'd whether American citizens OF jewish fatf
,era prevented from entering Prussia. and 81
zr.e,ber Russia had any regulations applying esre-
cai;v 10 the exclusion Of American Jews oeefe-
$50 gav's reply. printed in this document, said:
~. seeer6 question may be sategcrically an
usrsd n the negative. Such Discrimination Il Il
rsre made would call forth immediate acton OF
,,rorest from this government
.'--+s sanart-.ent has TO information remotely
,7I-o-i-,e- Thai American Jews stand upon foot
g.. 5s4forer, iron; that occupied BY the Jews OF
a+s.r countries in the administration OF Russian
las. ,. - 1,,,.si.,
The exclusion Of naturaitzet citizens OF RUSSIAN
.-sg4. and Of Jews from Russia Vas thus COMMENT
ed gpon by Secretary O!ney IN MS report 10 'ie
President fer The year 1896.
The published correspondenee for a pGnaeF tS %
years hack has shown the persistence 81 sf tg
5Latb.r naive or natarazed. and irrespective OF
their faith the equality OF privilege ana 3ea
eT4sfire treaties. Holding 70 the old doctrine OF
perpetual allegiance refusing 10 essen ts duL.l. 80.
-s1izsrion II q Russian subject without prior I'M
.e- se1+ asserting the extreme right 10 pun
tsh naturaliZed Russian or return 10 BIS native
iuris5icri5n not merely for unauthorized enigra-
ouisjtion of foreign Citizenship; and sedulouSly
applying at home and through re qilic11 GytS o.
It's agents abroad. 10 all persons o. me JeN5sh ne
lief the stern restrictions en1olned by the ffssFa
law the government Of Russia taxes sI9Deq ao'
because at variance with the character % our IN
etitutions the sentiments Of cur people The proNl-
sions of our statutes and the tendencies CT noo''h
T1rSer these circumstances conflict between
tionaf laws each absolute within the domestic
sphere and imperative Beyond it. is hardly 10 De
eveFtsd.
Since this report the position Of the department
has not changed and It's efforts 10 secure uniform
treatment for American citizens In Russia begun
many years ago. have continued although they
have not been attended with encouraging success
The DEPARTMENT Of State now sends 70 ali per-
sons of Russian birth who receive passports an
unofficial notice showing what are the provisions
Of Russian law liable affect them, in order that
they may not ircEr danger through ignorance. IN
transmitting copy &C this notice to the Ambas-
sador Of the United States AZ ST. Petersburg for
his information he was instructed February 10,
1901. follows:
The nclosed notice 10 American citizens formerly
subjects OF Russia who contemplate returning 10
that country the department II sending 70 all per
sons born il Russia who receive passports. II IS
sent 10 you merely for your information and you
are Instructed that II Is intended 10 mean that
there has been any abatement on the part Of this
government in its policy Of protecting equally
naturaliZed and native born Americans during their
travels sojourn abroad. the law requires. Nor
does the notice foreghadow any mitigation OF such
dissent this government NAV have expressed 70
the laws regulations ef Russia which may deny
equality q Treatment TO al abiding citizens,
regardless a their place OF birth 2. l. F.
Washington. July s 1904