Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-12-15
Russia and the United States.

The abrogation by the house of
representatives last Wednesday of the
treaty between the United States and
Russia, which treaty has been in ex-
istence since 1882, Is the result of ed
ucational agitation that has been in
progress during the past thirty years,
and whatever may be the outcome,
even though that outcome be war, the
action Of the house of representatives
Is right.
Briefly summed up, the controversy
is this: In the year 1892 there was
concluded between the United States
and Russia a treaty under which the
citizens of each country were guaran-
teed the right to come and go within
the territory of the other country, sub
ject to the equal protection of existing
laws, and, so far as is known, that
treaty was lived up to by both coun-
tries until about thirty years ago,
when Russia began to discriminate
against American citizens of Jewish
birth, whether native or naturalized.
Along with the very first signs
of discrimination the Jews began to
complain to the state department at
Washington, and although the state
department took the matter up with
Russia readily enough, there was no
result other than that the discrimina-
ton continued. OF course, Russia
never thought of questioning the
treaty, but would give first one trivial
reason and then another and from
time to time actually wise the pass
ports of few Jews with the purpose
of claiming these insignificant excep-
tions as proof Of the operation of a
general rule.
The conduct of Russia has not been
at all in keeping with the generally
accepted principles of common hon.
esty, much less with the dignity Of
this country, and although different
secretaries of state more especially
and particularly the late James G..
Blaine, had proper realization Of the
actual facts and a desire to compel the
respect that was due this country, the
truth is that our representatives have
been content to allow the matterfo
drag along and put up with ths<con-
temptuous treatment that RYSsia has
been handing out
While we feel reasonably certain
that the action of the house Of repre-
sentatives last Wednesday is due di-
rectly and indirectly 10 pressure and
sentiment worked up by the Jews, we
can only look upon that to Jewish
credit. Under our constitution, the
Jews are as much citizens of this
country as any of us, and in every
duty and responsibility that has ever
confronted this country the Jews have
measured up to the highest standard
of the best of us. There were Jews
In the great civil war on both sides,
and Jews figured prominently in the
councils of state, especially on the
southern side. Jews stand high COM
mercially, socially and financially and,
as a rule. they measure up well with
any other portion of the population.
and why their rights should not be
protected the same as the rights of
any other class of citizens it is difficult
to see.
1t has been suggested that Russia
no noSilx
RAISING position by testing what
may be called our consistency.
For instance, we have laws that
exclude Chinese and other un-
desirable Asiatics under certain
conditions. Included in the nat
uralized citizenship of Russia are
many Chinese, and it is argued that
If Russia should send some of them
over here and we would refuse them
the position of refusing to do what
we are requiring of Russia. But we
do not see it that way. No Chinaman
Is excluded from America simply be-
cause he is a Chinaman. Any China
man who can give proper guarantees
of his intention to go back home after
n reasonably long stay In this country
can arrange to go and come as he
pleases. The Jews are excluded be-
cause they are Jews. and Jewish citi-
ZenS of this country are refused the
right to travel i'm Russia, even though
they have no intention further than
to go across Russian territory.
What is going to come of the abro-
CATION of the treaty. provided the SEN
ate follows the house, as it very prob
ably will. we do not know. There is
Il possibility-only a possibility-that|
it may eventually bring on war but be
that as it may this country cannot
afford to allow itself to be trampled
under foot by Russia or any other
power on earth, and we feel inclined
to glory in the fact that the house has
the manhood and the courage to do
what il has done.