New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-12-06
HAMMOND DEFENDS AC!S
Guest of Hungarian Club Speaks
On Passport Question.
OPPOSES ABROGATI0N PLAN
Mining Expert Says He Never
Talked with Taft in Regard
to the Matter.

Amid the cheers Of more than one nun
bred members of the Hungarian liepuo-
lican club John Hays Hammond uellcu
again last night the charges made against
hin, that he had used his influence Win
President Taft 10 tho prejudice of the
Jor,isb race i'm connection with the Rus
sian passport problem
Mr.. Hammond was the guest or hohor
oC tho club AT dinner in the Cafe Mar
fin. and despite the opposition OF dis
scntng faction Of the organization tle
most prominent members were present
and through their attitude toward the
guest of the evening tried demonstrate
that the club as d whole Was fully bppre-
ciativc of the friendly feelings shown by
Mr.. Hammond toward the Jewish race on
many occasions.
Marcus Braun, as toastmaster, ana
Leopold Grahamc, who said that he was
an Englishman of South Africa ana
South America, and who was introduced as
great Jewish philanthropist, paid the
highest compliments TO Mr.. Hammond as
a true friend OF the Jewish race
Mr.. Hammond only once mentioned d.
roctly the name Of Jacob II. Schiff who
had made the charges against him. lie sslu
the best answer he could make was 10
stand in the presence of an organization
numbering 50 many Jews, and he then re-
cited the facts illustrative of his relation
81 IN to Russian affairs. lie described ms
two visits to Russia, and said thai al
though he did not find conditions attractive
enough for American capital at present, he
ight find business opportunities in the
future especially inviting. He said:
Il shall exercise the right Is 2n Amcri-
can citizen to avail myself Of them, always
bearing in mind my patriotic obligations TO
do nothing inimcsl to the interests Of my
fellow citizens. But / shall be the so'e
Judge even as to this. and not MIR. Jacob III.
@chif"
Ills remark was followed by applause,
which lasted several minutes. Mr. Ham
mond said:
But the important question is. What arc
We going 20 do to secure from Eussia inc
recognition Of tho passports Of our Jewish
citizens? And IL is Just at this point that
my opinion differs from the opinions OF some
others who are equally sincere in their con
victions one OF our distinguished honor
arv members. former President Roosevelt.
states i'm "Thc outlook Tor October II OF
this year that before exercising our treaty
right TO give notice Of the abrogation of the
because
ourselves and Russia as Ia the interpreta-
ton of the clause I'm question II would be
wise 20 seek from some impartial ana
neutral body an authoritative construction
of that clause" I am quoting these words
from MIR Rooseyelt'S article. The clause re-
fc-red to is contained in Article I of the
Treaty Of S32. defining tho respective rights
Of subjects of Russia and citizens Of the
United States.
some other friends. on the contrary.
equally DESTROYS of Obtaining tho rights i'm
question advocate the immedatel abroEa-
tion of the Treaty of 1882. For my ps Il. 7
do not favor the ubrogatlou Of the treaty
before Tc shall have cSerted further efforts
through the channels Of diplomacy, and for
this reason the precipitat" abrogation Of
tho treaty would inevitably throw all Amer
lean and Russian relationships into chaos
II would undoubtedly be provocative Of re-
sentful sentiments ana end in grievOusly
strained relationships. making the realza-
ton of our aims by diplomatic efforts OBJ
viously impossible.
Vbo ,yiil maintain that the abrogatinn
of The treaty would tend to smeliorate the
condition of the Jews in Russia? Aud this
IL something that must ever be kept IN
mind.
VINO will maintain that the actual abro-
CATION Of the treaty would result in obtain
ing the PASSPORTS? | submit that its effect
would be directly opposite. for IL would
greatly incense the Russian people against
the Jews: would promote new animosities
end. | fear. indeed. fresh atrocities.
Ildt TIE dllpsdllDn OF ttlR treaty IN
question would make il easier for Amer
lean Jews to visit Russia is an absurditv
on it's face Friendly relations between
America and Russia can. | believe. do
something for the amelioFation of Jewish
life in that country. whereas retaiiatorv
policy on the part 1f the United states.
involving a hostile relationship could Ger
tainly do nothing far them. II is always
10 Ice remembered that agitation I'm one
country respecting affairs I'm another coun.
try H. subject To rcactionary effects
More than once las there fallen upon the
suffering Jew Of Russia the terrible effects
Ot resentment stimulated by injudicious
and uutimely movements outside OF Rus
STA. Wen meaning but indiscreot persons
have often allowed their emotions To out nm
thc.- tldgWeui ami with the best iutrn-
lions i'm tiic world heve done harm wbare
they sought 10 90 good. Therefore | uouil
culo!n upon American Jews desirous al
lettering ths condition OF their p,,ssia,
cor 'igicnistS. and upon all Other sVto,,o
thc'iC persons. the exercise of "A "a. oi.s'l,,,
discretion. with the suhcrdinstion an cn,.,
uoh'ilism 10 The counSels 1T pruderce
While ! real.ze its tNaspcratinr 5.l,,.
and the failure OF diplomacy IitbeTto
secure the PASSPORTS a. question. nn,e,,
thelc-s am optimistic enough 10 ,e,ieyc No.
continued .Rs NtcHi and forcefu dinion''",
viii result in attaining tic ohicet In IL,
Int this diplomacN viii aNGil only if n.i',,5'
l. inior' Curse and relations he usjnt,n $50,
lts Russia ard through the naIntnrap,,"