The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1909-04-16
THE CASE OF POUREN
CLiterary Digest)

in some OF its bearings IS considered Z
most remarkable international episode
Upon the precedent to be established by
Pouren's trial hung the fate Of thous-
ands OF other Russian refugees. in vari-
Gus parts OF this country, whose move
ments are watched BY spies in the en-
ployment of the Car After the sup
preston Of the peasant revolt Of 1907
in the provinces Of Liyonia and Ccur-
land, Pouren sought asylum in the
United States, but was held at Ellis Is
land at the request of Coudert Brothers
attorneys for the Russian Government
Committees Of prominent American citi-
zens took up his case, funds were raised
for his defense, and the President and
Congress petitioned IN his behalf Ac-
cording to the champions OF liberty who
espouseG his cause, Pouren was patri-
OF and a victim of Russian oppression
According to his accusers he was fiend
who, in addition to the crimes charged,
had beaten old men and abused women
Witnesses were brought all the way
from Russia BY both sides, and in OctO-
Der of last year Commissioner Shields
found him guilty of four acts Of burg
larry, three Of arson, three murders, and
two attempts at murder, and ordered his
deportation. But Secretary Root. then
head OF the State Department, ordered
the case retired, with the result that
the verdict has now been reversed. Com
missioner Hitchcock, i'll the second trial.
also finds that Pouren has been guilty
OF the crimes charged BY the Russian
Government, but orders his release on
the ground that he acted as a revolu-
ZIONIST. and not with criminal intent-the
extradition treaty between this country
and Russia providing immunity in the
case Of political offeuses. 1t was brought
out that he had not acted for personal
gain, or from personal malice How
ever revolving these acts may have been,
said Commissioner Hitchcock, we must
still consider that they were committed
while the country was in a revolution
airy state, and were more or less iusti-
fed"
There has been no more striking case
IN the recent history u this country OF
the surging up Of the old-time hatred
OF tyranny than the movement which has
furnished legal and monetary aid to this
fugitive. and finally saved him from the
clutch OF Russia remarks the Boston
Herald His final release, says the New
York Tribune. will doubtless be gen
orally regarded with appreciation, though
not with enthusiasm. The New York
Globe congratulates the country that
the Pouren decision has followed 50
closely upon the similar case of Christian
Rudowitz whose extradition was re-
fused BY Secretary Root in January. The
two cases, 1t thinks, must make our pO-
sition perfectly clear to the Russian /
mind Says the Springfield Republican. |
discussing the general aspects OF both /
cases:
The disturbances IN Russia, in which 1
these refugees participated, were essen
tally political. because the acts OF vio- |
lence IN question were part of revol |
utiOnary movement TO overthrow the |
system of czariSm; and the Federal I
seems strictly within tie /
facts in concluding that however revolt /
ing these acts may have been. we must /
still consider that they were committed 1
while the country was in q revolutionary |
state, and were more or less justified. |
1t acts of violence in war are justified. |
it follows that in revolutionary uprisings |
deeds ordinarily criminal to the last de-
gree may be given the sanction of a |
certain measure Of political necessity
Returning to the Pouren decision, the \
Baltimore Sun c0ngratulates the country
that the right Of asylum in this country /
has been vindicafed We read
The Russian Government has bent
every effort 10 the securing Of the ex-
tradition OF this man-not, OF course.
on account of any peculiar Importance
IN the individual case, but because il
would have meant a vast deal as
precedent. The only hope Of the enemies
Of Russian despotisn lies in revolution
in one form or another Those who
still keep up the hope of freedom are
sustained in their aspirations By the 1
the help, and the guidance OF
their brethren in exile Anything that
-s-tAs-r ~ setNS etN ~ AANtAA tAiC lGN04QLlQtA-
sts the possibility of an asylum in for
sign lands diminisheS by 50 much the
chance of ultimate success which they
still cherish. And single case in
which man Is eNtradited for a poiiti-
al offense has powerful influence in
breaking down the force of the distinc-
ion between political offenses and per
ional crimes. Pouren's extradition. af-
er 4 year and a quarter OF frritless
struggle to prevent it. would have meant
/ far easier Job for the Cars govern |
nent the next time it wanted victim.
His hangnen keep busy enough as it is;
ct us rejoice thar at least one has heen
,ept out of their grip by the faithful
xertions of friends of liberty on Ameri-
an soil" "a