The Irish standard., 1908-12-26
RuDov,Tz THE RUSSIAN.

UuflnS the ADMINISTRATOR OI beH-
jamin Harrison treaty of extradition
was entered into between the United
returning to either country persons
guilty of serious crimes, such DIS mlr-
Ger. arson and forgery. So far so good
though there is no record OF any
American criminal ever entering Rus
sia with u passport to seek refuge in
the land of the Czar Russian GRIM
inals are more likely to seek safety In
the land of the Stars and Stripes, and
if they come as criminals they are not
worthy of citizenship and should be
returned under the terms Of the ex-
tradition treaty.
Though Russia has despotic gov
ernment and the United States re-
publican government, the two great
powers arc on excellent terms. In the
days of the Civil War, when France
and England were eager to destroy this
republic, the only country in Europe
that showed its friendship was Rus
sia. 1t sent it's ships Of war 20 New
York and San Francisco and notified
France and England that they would
have to encounter its navy if .hey at
tempted to disrupt the Union by es-
rousing the cause of the Conf ederacy.
WhotaIer ,,,.tiy-o IN
assuming such an attitude, its friend
ship was needed and saved the United
States from it's inveterate enemy
IGgland-which was supplying the
materials Of war to the South and
rreying upon American commerce on
the high seas. The friendship IF Rus
sia on the occasion lis not Forgotten
except by the Anglomaniacs of the
country. who inherit prejudices against
tho great Russian empire. which is an
enemy Of England for many years, both
in Europe and Asia.
with this Introduction, we will ex-
pain the Rudovitz case briefly. 1t an
pears that Christian Rudovitz is a
Russian from the Baltic provinces who
participated In the uprising of the
reasantry against the atrocities Of the
C'ossack soldiers. who killed men,
women and children indiscriminately.
He forged his passports and inade his
escape to the land of the free, and the
refuge of the oppressed. The blood
hounds of the Russian government
scented him out in Chicago and are
trying to fetch him back for execu =
ton on the grounds that he is guilty
OF offenses under the extradition
treaty. AS political refugees are ex-
empt under that treaty. the American,
people are espousing his cause. and
hence last Sunday in Minneapolis a
mass meeting was held to protest
against his extradition. with I,r. C,yrus
Northrop of the State University in
the chair. Resolutions were passed
urging the United States to annul the
-''A ee-'i'iOlI aACdtf, s1Il IHC secretary
Of State was implored to save Rudovitz
from tho death which awaited him II
he was returned to his native country,
as fugitive surrendered to the Rus
sian government will not enjoy the
usual rights of an accused man.
The addresses made at the meeting
by the several speakers were heartily
epplauded by an enthusiastic audi
cnce of men ard women imbued will,
American principles. The spirit Of lib
erty Is still strong in the breasts OF
the American people. who sympatbizv
with the victims OF despotism in every
land. 1f the treaty between the two
countries Is not abrogated. tho .Ameri
can authorities should see to Il that
political refugees are safeguarlcd un.
Ger the shelter Of the flag. On no pre-
text should political refugee he sur
rendered to European despots. This
has been a. refuge for the victims Of
tyranny since the very beginning and
such 1t must remain. II Rudovitz is
guilty of crime unconnected with po-
lltical uprising. let him he .extradiied
and go to his death, but he should not
he returned for retaliating upon his
armed enemies and forging passport
to flee for his life to the land Of uh-
erty.
THE TURKISH PARLIAMENT.