Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-28

mas been INFORMED tnat tnese passport re-
forms will, probably go into effect on jan
uary /. 1906, but 1t is not altogether Ger.
tain. During Col Hays administration OF
the State Department, the Russian govern
but nothing was done. Russian promises
are not always to be relied upon. 1t VIII be
remembered that Russia promised to evacu-
ate Manchuria on the LIST OF October, 1907.
learn that the United States and other ma
lions expected her to keep that promise.
In the case of the passport reforms the
same doubt and danger exist. There Is q
fear that the labor riots and other semi
political demonstrations may furnish an ex-
cuse for postponement; or the new plan
may be considerably modified, because 1t Is
very radical. 1t is more sweeping and sat
isfactory than Col Hay ever expected to
obtain. and It will be little short OF q
miracle If the czar approves the plan and
1t is honestely and fully enforced. 1t has
been suggested that the car will not make
his usual proclamation in case he approves
1t, but will allow the reforms to go into
effect quietly and gradually, SO as to avoid
public demonstration.
Other Reforms Suggested.
Other radical reforms affecting the Jew
ish population of Russia will be submitted
to the zemstvo for approval when that new
legislative body meets next January. AT
present there are some 200 laws and edicts
directed at the Jews. They forbid almost
everything that an ordinary human being
would wish to do, aside from the violent
prosecutions to which the members of the
race have been subjected in every part OF
Russia, these restrictions make existence al
most impossible For example: In the COM
mon schools, which are very few, and In
ferior, not more than per cent of the
pupils are allowed to the Jews. In some
of the universities per cent are admitted,
but In most cases only per cent are Jews
Even this allowance is purely theoretical.
1t depends entirely upon the disposition OF
the local authorities. whether Jewish chill
dren are allowed to attend the schools or
not. The regulations are dead letters In
some places the schools are opened to men,
bers of the Jewish and Greek faith alike;
in other places the former are entirely ex-
aluded.
Another modification permits artisans,
merchants, students. scientific and profess
sional men of the Jewish race to live and
carry on their work outside of the pale.
II other words, Jews of those occupations
may have the same liberties as ordinary
Russian subjects. This Is supposed to be
largely due to the demand for skilled labor
In all parts of Russia. Merchants. money
lenders and bankers are still kept within
the ghetto.
These reforms are extremely important,
and others of similar significance are pro-
posed. There has been a general revision
OF all laws and regulations affecting the
Jews by commission acting under orders
from the cZar; and it Is expected that the
prevail of the zamstvo in January. After
their approval has been formally given the
reforms proposed must be recommended by
the ministry and approved by the car.
II may be several years before they go
into effect: 1t may be only few months
The unexpected Is always happening in
Russia. But there are good reasons to
believe that something, and perhaps a great
deal, is going to be done to relieve the Rus
sian Jew within the approaching year. This
expectation is based largely upon the finan-
cial condition of Russia and the inability Of
the government to obtain loans.
Boycott by Jewish Bankers.
The boycott by the Jewish bankers still
exists, and will be enforced until the prom
Uses of Russia to Col. Hay are carried out
The car has not been able to borrow
dollar in Europe except the loan of SS1 Co.,
600, negotiated last fall through Mendelsohn
d Company, the private bankers of the
German Kaiser at Berlin. Even then all
OF the bonds were subscribed for by rich
members of the Russian and German courts
who sought the favor of Emperor William
and Car Nicholas. There have been re-
peated kilograms from ST. Petersburg con-
corning foreign loans that have been ne
sot1ated, but nothing has actually hap
pened. The Jewish bankers have checked
every attempt to borrow money, both in
Europe and the United States; and thew
sun are determined that Russia shall not
raise dollar outside of the empire until
the proposed Jewish reforms are actually
accomplished.
1t is an interesting fact, heretofore Sc
cret. that the interview between a com
mittee of Jewish bankers and Count Witte.
the Russian peace commissioners at Ports
mouth. was sought by the latter and not
by his guests. It Is believed also that
1T was the result Of distractions re-
ceived from the minister of finance
at St Petersburg. The invitation to
Mr.; schif, Mr.. straus, Mr.. seligman
and other gentlemen who visited Count
White was conveyed by Mr.. Gregory VI
lankine, financial agent Of the Russian
government at the embassy at Washing
ton. Mr. Vilankine is himself a Jew and
matte service of the Russian empire
Madame Vilankine is a niece of Mr.
Isaac N. Seligman. The interview with
Count Witte was confidential, but it is
known to those who take an interest in
the subject that what may be called mo-
dus vivendi was arranged between the
great bear and the sons of Israel. Count
Witte pledged his government to carry out
the proposed reforms The Jewish bank
ers frankly informed him that the prom
ises of Russia were not regarded as good
security, but that 1t would be easy to
raise a loan as soon as they were full
filled.
The recent departure of Mr.. Pierpont
Morgan, jr., and Mr.. George w. Perkins for
the Morgan banking house is to undertake
the floating of Russian loan. But am
assured, on the very best of authority
that the journey of these gentlemen re-
lates to the rebuilding of the Russian
navy Charles r. Flint, Charles Schwab
Lewis Nixon and other American ship
builders have been negotiating with that
government for some time, and 1t Is be-
iieved that everything is arranged for but
the money. Mr.. Morgan was invited into
the negotiations and sent his partner end
son to st. Petersburg to discuss the de-
tails.