Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-12-30
THE PASSPORT ISSUE.
By Frederic J. Haskin.

purpose Of trying to secure greater liber-
atty from the Russian government re-
garding the treatment of members of his
own faith. DR.. Macarthur goes in spirit
of absolute friendliness. armed with per
sonal letters from President Taft. Sec
rotary of State Knox and other American
officials He hopes through the aid of
the American ambassador at St. Peters
burg to be granted an audience with the
car.
1t was not until 1863 that the United
States had any cause for complaint with
Russia for violation of
Many Treaty the spirit of the treaty.
y,:4 but by 1850 viola ions had
become so numerous that
aspect. In 1881 James O. Blaine. while
Secretary Of State, wrote his oft quoted
letter to John w. Foster, then minister
to Russia, protesting against diScrimi
nations being made against any class OF
American citizens. Since then other Sec
retaries of State have taken the matter
up without any apparent result Resoln-
tons regarding the Jewish passport ques-
ton have also been presented before Con
gress at ten different sessions since lSA2
These have either been killed in commit
tee or indefinitely postponed. 1t was not
until last year that Congress became
actively interested.
The Russian government has been in
formed repeatedly that its practice of
'subjectine to a relia ious inQuisition all
American citizens bearing a United
States passport is not to be tolerated by
our Institutions that the continuance
of such course after our views have
been made known may trench upon Just
L. 4
diplomatic exp. eSsions of disapprovaI
have been given. These have passed un-
needed, however, and Russia gained The
impression that the United States was
matter.
In 1903 President Roosevelt wrote to
Count Witte begging that some cons.d-
Grafton be given to the
Party granting of passports to
D,.J Americans of Jewis h
Pledges. faith" President Taft in
his speech accepting the candidacy for
the presidency referred TO the fact that
some nations made distinctions with re-
spect to the treatment of our citizens
travelling abroad and having passports
from our executives. He added that #
elected he would make every endeavOr to
secure the abolition OF such distinctions.
The democratic political leaders took the
same attitude during their campaign. Tie
notice providing for the abrOgation of
the treaty WAS the result of these
pledges
1t is claimed that the Russian govern
ment lately has been guilty of greater
than ever. According TO
foreign affairs. the Russian government
permits the viseing OF American pass
ports by Il Russian consul who has an
office in the building occupied by the
Steamship Company.
This consul approves the passport of
any person who has bought "A ticket
from New York To Llbau, the Russian
port to which these steamers run. The
applicant may be of any race or ma
tionality, and he may leave blank the
answer TO the question regarding his re-
igion. If he patronizes the steamship
by the Russian government.
his passport is vised by this consul,
favor that otherwise would have been
1enled him, even upon appeal to the Rus
sian ambassador in Washington.
A number of prominent Hebrews have
testified to being denied a signature To
their passports. One of these was Louis
J, HorrowitZ, the vice president of the
firm who erected the big Union station
in Washington. Mr.. HorroWitz was born
in Russia, but came to America at the
age of fifteen and for more than eighteen
years has been citizen of the United
States Being Obliged to go to England
on business. he decided also to 90 to
Russia. to visit his birthplace and 10 in
restigate various matters connected with |
the proposed contract between the Rus |
sian government and his company re- |
yarding the construction of railroad \
station. When his passport was pre- /
;ented at tho Russian embassy to be