The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1908-02-14
No Protection 20 American
Citizens of Jewish Birth Who
Travel In misunderstanding Re-
fused to Furnish Information TN
Ground That IL Was Not Conpat-
IDLE With Public Interests

Washington, Fesb. 1L-Russia's
treatment of American passports was
the subject of discussion for some
time / nthe house today. The commit
Zee on foreign affairs yesterday re-
ported adversely a resolution calling
upon the secretary OF state for lnfor-
nation regarding certain negotiations
with Russia in the matter OF pass
ports to American citizens and parti-
|eulariy Jewish citizens, upon the plea
of the secretary Of state that 1t was
not compatible with the public in
interest to furnish, the information at
this time AFTER extended discussion
the house today by a vote of lll-to 81,
sustained the adverse report. sal "
Ia speaking on the subject MI. Har-
rrison, New York. asserted that the
Russian, with characteristic dupli-
Icity,Il had attempted 10 exclude. a
whole, class Of citizens simply oncae-
count -lof the religious faith. Against
this intolerable assumption, he said,
1--WE have always protested with indig-
lnation." s.cL..
Mr.. Harrison referred to recent circu-
liars of the department making it in
fcumbent upon Jews before receiving
American passports, to u the de-
lpartment first that they were not going
to Russia and second that it was so
with the express permission Of the
! Russian govcrnnent-as a" o sur
|prisjng and i ~depIorable chapter OF
iAmeriean diplomacy, which touched
CLOSELY the American national honor.
The right Of Jews to travel in Russia
was not dependent upon the whims
landIfancies of an unhappy %autocrat,"
but given to the United States citizens
by the treaty of 183., land approved
J by 1.-THE conscience OF the civilized
tworld',' he said. @@
/ In conclusion Mr.. Harrison pointe%
! out, that the circular referred to was
modified January rs last and n OBJ
ijectionblel paragraph eliminated SOL
| Allowing tribute was paid to Sec
Eretary Root and American diplomacy
/! by ME- Lowden, of Illinois The reso-
iutian, ,if adopted he said, would de-
feattits very object and the committee
felt ritIwas promoting the interests of
the IgeYish people in. rejecting it, He
said Secretary Root had, given per-
! sonal assurance, that every effort was
! being made to get rid of the diSeFi-
fninatipn which the Russian govern
me4t pEacticed ard, We have confidence
/ enough inbthe secretary of state Q be-
lieEea that his Judgment should be Sn-
preme. on this question" ratq aglsz.
Reciting many diplomatic triumphs
| of the United States, Mr. Lowdep said
it would not be long before the Am,
erican doctrine Of absolute right OF
| expatriation would, become q part of
the international law of the world.
1--WE are entitled to know what it
| all means fhteriected Mr.. Harrison
| referring to the issuance of the new
! c~ireuiar. IL -Iar=-n IG-.fE uTUr'.
Il can. see nothing but a possible
| doubt upon the veracity of the secre-
tary of state" retorted Mr.. Lowden,
who added that as long as be, was in
! public life, he would support the state
department, whether it be republican
or democratic, when it said that the
public interests prevented the publ
cation of correspondence in a matter
| still under negotiation.
! Following a statement by Mr.. Cap
ron, Rhode Island, that the circulars
were designed as a protection to Am
eriean citizens of Russian-Jewfsh
parentage. who might have gotten
themselves into trouble under the
Russian law, MT. williams, Missis-
sippf, forced the yeas and nays on the
nuaaffnn of the adontion Of the IA