The Washington herald., 1911-12-06

erations and in a measure by religious
antipathies. Now, l shall not attempt to
justify the attitude of either the Russian
Jews or of the Russian government. At
the same time, l have the right to feel,
as do fel, profound sympathy with the
Jews in the unquestioned hardships under
which they suffer, as 1 would and do
feel for an oppressed race in any other
part of the world. 1 endeavored forcibly
to impress upon officials of the Russian
government the fact that nothing would
tend more 10 promote friendship in Amer
ica for Russia than the improvement Of
Jewish conditions in that country"
Jews Assisted Japanese.
Mr.. Hammond made an interesting
contribution to the Russian question by
his assertion that the anti-Semitic feel
ing in Russia had been greatly augment
ed by the boasts of certain great Jewish
financiers that the success of the Jap
anese in their military operations against
Russia was the direct result of the finan-
Cial assistance they rendered to Japan.
The Russian people," said Mr.. Ham,
mOnd, believe that this assistance was
rendered in the spirit of resentment and
cnmity against the Russian government.
1t has been said by those familiar with
the circumstances that these great Jew
ish finanCiers expected to and did real
ize a large profit by the sale of Japanese
bonds. This is a serious charge. but
do not myself ascribe such sordid- mo-
tives. However that may be, there can
be no question that the hatred of the
Jews in Russia has been grievously in
tensified. and that they have been made
the victims of special persecution because
of this and similar unwise and resentful
acts of their co-religfonists in other parts
of the world
Makes Emphatic Denial.
Mr.. Hammond was most emphatic in
his discussion of the passport question.
which, he said. had not assumed its
acute stage when he was in Russia. Il
did not discuss the subject" he said.
with any official of the Russian gov
ernment / wish also to state -emphat-
ically that am not authorized to voice
the opinion of any official OF our gov
ernment, for, as a matter of fact, have
not discussed the passport question
with any offcial-certainly not with the
President of the United States. In my
talks with President Taft this matter
has never been brought up. directly or
indirectly. President Taft has never
requested an expression of my opinion,
nor have volunteered any suggestion
whatsoever on this subject. Any one
making a statement to the contrary IS
guilty of absolute falsehood.
Il need hardly tell my Jewish and my
American friends that I am heartily in
sympathy with the movement to obtain
passports for American Jews; not for
Jews as such, but because l regard the
passport question as an American and
not a Jewish question, and because l
believe that every citizen of the United
States is entitled to equal rights with |!
respect to the passports and every 9TH |
er privilege accorded to our citizens by |
any treaty our government may have !
with the governments of other nations"
Does Not Favor AbrOGatiOn.
Mr. Hammond quoted with approval |
Mr.. Roosevelts proposition to submit the |
passport question to some impartial and |
neutral body. For my part" he said, |
II do not favor the abrogation of the |
treaty before. We shall have exerted fur !
ther efforts through the channels of di- !
plomacy, and for this reason: The pre- |
cipitate abrOgation of the treaty would !
inevitably throw all American and Rus |
sian relationships into chaos: it would !
be provocative of resentful .
and end in grievOusly !
strained relationships, making the real |
IZation of our aims by diplomatic efforts /
impossible.
He said that the abrogatiOn of the !
treaty would not ameliorate the condition !
Of the Jews in Russia nor would it result |
In obtaining recognition of American |
passports. He thought that the effect |
would be directly opposite, for 1t would !
greatly increase the incense Of the Rus |
sian people against the Jews and pro- !
mote new animosities and atrocities. !,
That the abrogation OF the treaty In I
question would make Ii easier for Amer !
lean Jews to visit Russia is an absurdity |
on its face" he said. Friendly relations |
between America and Russia can, I be- |
lieve, do something for the amelioration |
OF Jewish life in that country, whereas |
a retaIiatory policy on the part of the |
United States, involving a hostile rela- !
could certainly do nothing for |
them.
Diplomacy VIII BE Successful.
while 1 realize he said, in conclu- |
sion, the exasperating delays and the |
failure of diplomacy hitherto to secure /
the passports in question, nevertheless /
am optimistic enough to believe that con- !
tinued. insistent, and forceful diplomacy /.
will result in attaining the object in view,
but this diplomacy will avail only II friend /
y intercourse and relations be maintained I
with Russia, and through the mainte-
nance of such relations, Russia, as soon i
rs her political conditions will admit, will,
I am sure, be induced to grant such re-
forms as will ameliorate the condition
1f her Jewish subjects-a consummation
greatly to be desired! 1 trust the state
nents of to-day's papers. which seem to
promise the satisfactory settlement Of
This question, are not too optimistic. Il
There can be no question that President
taft and Secretary Knox are sincerely
1esirous OF arriving at such solution
)f the problem. and are using their ut
most efforts in cooperation with our very 4
able Ambassador in Russia, my friend, H
Mr. Curtis Guild, for the speedy realiza-
lion of the aims of those who are in II
terested In the laudable movement for h
.,,a--,fkfov, ~ Y,aouparfa ~ .ff- Il