Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-07-09

there with my eyes open, s&e(
little anticipating the IDHkRS
trouble that | would en- xI>\
counter in getting per- ~
mission to do l am W.
a lew and of course this
was prior to the recent decree giving American A
Jews the same passport privileges as other ~
Americans when travelling in Russia. Y
The first snag l struck when presented N
my passport at the Russian Consulate in New "
York to have it vised for to travel in the
domains of the great Gar. The following con-
versation took place between the official of the
consulate and myself
Your age?"-" Fortv-seven."
Nativity? -" American
"Profession?" 80 journalist
Religion? -" Jewish
A raising of the eyes and a struggling of
the shoulders greeted my last answer and
the official then said: You mean Unitarian?"
l assured him that 1 not a Unitarian, but
lew whereupon he proceeded to argue with me,
that being Jew l Unitarian, and that all of
my coreligonists who succeeded in having their
passports vsed travel in Russia did by stating
that they Unitarans.
told the that was Jew, nothing else, and
that l would travel in Russia as a Jew not
at all.
Then" said he Il am afraid I can't assist you.
There is law books. not yet obsolete,
though perhaps out OF date, that Jews may not
travel in Russia
| asked him if there way of my getting
around this seemingly insurmountable obstruction,
and he said:
eff YOU will write to the Minister of the Interior
at ST. Petersburg telling him that you jour
nalist have no doubt that he will waive the law
in your case and authorize to wise the passport.
But" said l, Il am anxious to visit Russia this
year and not fifty years hence, when l probably
should receive an answer from your Minister of the
Interior"
Then cannot help you" was his reply
Feeling angry but not discouraged, l called on
the editor of a weekly paper who is prominent in
the Republican Councils of New-York State asking
him if he would give letter to certain dis
tinguished United States Senator requesting him
to assist me in the premises.
Il am afraid can't do So was his reply. with
us politicians favor asked for is a favor charged
for whether it is granted not. l quite
that the Senator cannot and will not help you, and
under the circumstances | don't wish to ask favor
of him. which | know beforehand will be refused.
But go over and see your friend Mr.. Blank who
lunches with the Senator every day, and who, l
am sure will most willingly give you the introduce
ton you ask for.
| called upon the man named, but to my chagrin
he also refused, upon the ground that he himself,
also an Israelite contemplated visiting Russia the
next summer, and he expected to have trouble
enough of his regarding his passport.
few days later, taking the bull by the horns,
presented myself at the Office of the United States
Senator to whom l wished the introduction and
in my card.
The characteristic message came out: docs the
gentleman want to see me on politics in which case
l shall be in Washington next November"
l sent him word that did not wish to him
on politics of any nature, but wished to tell him
something that l thought would interest him. Where
upon | was Immediately ushered into his presence
Handing him my passport, l said: