New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-02
THE CARS EASTER DECREE.

The Cars decree, extendiag-but apparently
not making universaI-religious liberty in Rus
STA Is cordially to be commended, far as it
goes. 1t will give welcome relief TO many mill
ions Of Christians, including Catholics, Protes-
tants and Greeks, and also to many millions Of
Mahometans. From the point OF view of Rus
sian autocracy IL doubtless seems an act Of
grace. To those accustomed to a higher stand
ard Of human rights it will seem like the doing
Of tardy justice, while to some diplomatic OBJ
servers it will seem like shrewd political policy.
The removal of the disabilities which have
hitherto been imposed upon Catholics and Lu-
therans Will probably do away with some fric-
ton between Russia and other powers, and may
do something toward pacifying Catholic Poland.
though the occurrences of yesterday in Warsaw
not suspicious. 1t is the merest justice to
grant freedom Of faith and worship to the four
teen million Mahometans. too, seeing that most
Of them were forced into the Russian Empire
against their will
The decree has its limitations, however and
chief among these. apparently, is its failure to
abolish the oppressive and cruel determinations
against the Jews 1t gives freedom to Chris
tans Of all sects, presumably even to the
wretched Doukhobors, II any of those fanatics
still abide il Russia, and also to the followers
of Mahomet; but the Jews are excluded from
its benefits. They, FIVE millions strong are still
outlawed That may be because the Jewish re-
ligion is esteemed in Russia less highly than the
Mahonetaa. 1t may be because the Jews arc
q nation without country and no foreign gov
eminent is inclined to champion their cause and
therefore no political end is to be served by
emancipatng them. Whatever the reason this
omission must be deplored as gravely marring
what would otherwise be one of the most spleu-
did acts in the history of Russian government.
Progress is being made, however, even in re-
spect to the Jews 1t is announced that a Rus
sian imperial commission has reported in favor
OF the abolition Of interior passports in that en-
pire and of the universal and impartial recog-
milton Of foreign passports. That report Is now
before the Council of the Empire, which NAV or
may not approve II. There are expectations
that 1t VII approve It, in which case the point
will be gained for which our State Department
has so long and so earnestly commended But
even If 1t should not approve 1t at this time II
viii be a gain thus to have had it brought IN
for consideration. and 1t VIII be a step toward
that approval Of It which surely must come at
no very distant time; for Russia cannot perpet-
ually stand against the world in this matter
any more than In the sugar bounty matter, in
which she now practically confesses herself to
have been in the wrong. Athanasius contra
mundum is fine attitude, but it's success de-
ponds entirely upon Athanasius's being In the
right. In this passport matter Russia is not I'm
the right, in either theory or practice It is a
false theory to discriminate between people on
grounds OF race or religion. It is a false prac-
tce, because Russia has agreed not to do it. but
to recognize all American citizens on equal
terms. 1t is bad policy 'or a nation thus 10
single itself out as intolerant and as regardless
Of the comfy of nations. An American citizen
is free TO travel In Great Britain or France or
Germany or any other country save Russia
without regard TO the race from which he is
descended or the religion which he processes.
All races and all religions are equal In American
citizenship, and all countries except Russia rec
ognize and respect that fact Russia alone per
sists IN demanding to know whether an Ameri-
can citizen is OF Japhetc or Semitic stock and
whether he worships in church or in a syna-
gogue; and our State Department has for wears
had TO warn Americans who travel that in Rus.
STA alone 1t cannot guarantee them equal pr1vi-
leges and protection
Ii is high time for Russia to abandon that dis
creditable distinction and to put herself In line
with all other civilized powers The question
mas sometimes been asked in good faith by Rus
SLAMS why that country is regarded by Ameri-
cans ana indeed by many Others as standing
apart from the rest OF the world and In q less
favorable light The answer ts eastlv Osven II
Is bscanss Russia hsrsar persists In stsns,no