The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-11-17
AMERICAN PASSPORTS
 IN RUSSIA
Resolutions A brogatin g Treaty with Russia to Be
 Pressed in Congress
Russian Consuls Refuse Visas to Jews,R.C.Priests and Protestant Mission aries.

With the converting of Congress in December, the resolutions abrogating the treaty with Russia will be presses for passage. Russia's attitude toward passports held by American citizens has become more and more intolerable, and in speaking of the situation, for mer President Roosevelt, in an ed1- tor:ai in the Outlook of October 14. said:
 "It is, of course, open to us to de- nounce the treaty of 1892. and un ess an agreement can be reached in other ways, such action, 1 am persuaded will become, and ought to be inev.t- able. 1t is automatic that we shoui1 not submit permanently to the con- tinuance of treaty when it is con- strred according to 3 rr.nciple wn.ch, If openly avcwed at the time of it's making, would have prevented our people from even considering the pos sibility of making it. Under no cir cumstances would we now make with Russia or with any other Power a treaty which explicitly permitted such discriminations as Russia actually makes against certain classes of our citizens. This being so, the treaty as Russia now construes 1t. ought not to be, and cannot be, continued"
 The question relates to the integrity of American citizenship. to Russia s attitude toward the American pass port, and to it's disregard of it's treaty obligations to our country. It is be- understood by the public, and that the 1, relations between the two gove. nments are not sufficiently appreciated.
 Many articles have been written, many speeches have been made, many diplomatic communications have passed States and the government of Russia, about the Passport question. And yet most Americans do not seem to know exactly what the Pa sport question is, how important 1t is. how 1t affects the honor of American citizenship.
 Tho Passport question Is neither a Jewish nor a Russian probIem-it is distinctly an American problem.
 In 1882 the Government of the United States made treaty with Russia. In clear, unmistakable terms, which could not be misconstrued, the very first ar ticle of the treaty was to guarantee a reciprocal liberty of commerce and navigation between the territories of the contracting powers, and the citi- gems of the two countries were to have the liberty of entering the territories of each country and of sojourning and residing in all parts of such territories for the purpose of attending to their affairs.
 when one wishes to travel abroad, it is cust ornary to apply to the Govern ment for passport. The passport is evidence that the person bearing 1t. is . citizen of the United States and is entitled to all the rights and privileges of citizenship.
 If an American citizen desires to visit Russia. he not only has to have . passport. but he has also to have it yiseed In advance by Russian con- sul in the United States. The visa , is equivalent to certificate from the Russian representative in this country that in his opinion the bearer is a fit pers0n to enter Russia Before the Russian consul will wise passport however. the applicant has to fill out a form, in which he Is obliged to state his religion. It Is because of this re- Igious inQuisition that all the difficult ty has arisen: since, If man states that he is Jew. or If 1t appears that the applicant is Roman Catholic priest or Protestant missionary, the visa of the passport Is forthwith re- fused.
 It is we'll known that the United States Government makes no> distinc ton between American citizens on ac- count of their religion. It cannot do SO because 1t ia against the Constitu- ton. All American citizens, irrespec- tive of their religion, are equal before the law. The United States, there fore. could not make a treaty which . would discriminate against American
 
 violating the Constitution
 For nearly fifty years, the Russian Government observed the Treaty of 1882 with the United States, with the same good faith that the United States has always fulfilled its obliga- tfons. But beginning In 1881 Russia inaugurated her prosecutions and mas sacres of It's Jews. and at the same time, began discriminating against any Jews of the United States who desired to visit Russia. It mattered not if tn. forefathers of an American Jew had fought In the Revolutionary War, nor how distinguished his services may have been to his country, the visa of his passport was refused solely on ac- count of his religion-so that Russia Introduced a form of religious fnQuisi- tion. on American soil. as to every American citizen who desires to go to Russia This condition continues to-day.
 This discrimination by Russia has been practised for more than a gen. eration in spite of protests on the part of every Secretary of State who has held office during that period. Secre- taries of State Evarts. Blaine, Gresh- am, Oiney and Hay have all made ir- refutable arguments to the Russian Government, but they have been ans wered only by subterfuge. by begs ing the question, and by repeated procras-
 
 of State and American Ambassadors fo Russia have been shamelessly de- ceived, but the most solemn protests have not been taken seriously. until 1t has become clear to every American that Russia is not now nor has she been in the past acting in good faith.
 There is but one way left for the United States to assert it's dignity and honor, and that is to terminate this treaty. All treaties contain clauses That enable the governments making them to terminate them on notice. The Treaty of 1892 with Russia provides for its termination upon one years notice This may be done by a reso- iution of Congress directing the Pres ldent to give such notice; and 1t has been customary to give notice in this manner throughout our history. As the treaty with Russia has been vio- lated by Russia in spite of our pro- tests. 1t no longer comports with the Importance of the United States as a great power to retain such a treaty in force. A resolution terminating the treaty has already been introduced in Congress. and it will be taken up at the next session, a course that is be- Ing adyocated by prominent people | throuohout sh~ rr-ites SA4tAa