The Washington times., 1911-12-14
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
TREATY.

congressman Mctau OF MaBeachu-
sets would seem unnecessarily con-
cerned about whether Russia has ac-
tually violated the terms of the treaty
Of 1882. 1t is difficult to understand
how, except by a most tenuous spin
ming of technicalities, reasonable doubt
could be justified on this point. The
specific and detailed cases have been
brought out during the recent agitation
of the question, and certain it il that
no effective denial, explanation or de-.
fense of the Russian governments posi-.
ton has been forthcoming, that indi.
Gates it is within the letter and spirit
of the treaty.
More than this, it is not obvious that
especial weight attaches to Mr.. Mann's
point that the United States assumes
to exclude some classes of foreigners,
as the Chinese; therefore, he suggests,
it Is dangerous business for this coun-
try to take the position that it has
no wish to reserve any power of ex-
clusion. 1t is true that we undertake
exclusion of Chinese; but that is done
under arrangement in which the
Chinese government acquiesces. Every
treaty involving these questions must
necessarily stand on its own bottom.
When the Japanese question became
differentiated sharply from that of
Chinese immigration, it was settled in
manner most fitting to the changed
conditions, and yet to the satisfaction
of all parties.
So, likewise, Russia must be dealt
with. The question of Russian treat
ment Of American Hebrews is already
too long pending, and has drawn too
much on this country's stores of patti
ence. Russia has fagrantly and per-
sistently violated the treaty by refus-
ing to recognize passports given by the
American Government to American
citizens who happened to be of the He
brew faith. The dignity of this ma
ton, it's standing among nations, de-
mands that it must uphold the rights
which solemn treaties assume to accord
to all American citizens.
1t would be sad descent from the
high pretension we indulge as a land
of freedom and equality, if the gov
ernment of Russia were to be permit
ted to fout her agreements with the
United States in such fashion. This
is one of the greatest Hebrew countries
in the world. In New York are more
Hebrews, it has been said, than ever
were gathered in any other one city
in the worlds history. Perhaps, the
statement is exaggerated; but not very
much. Russia is likewise the home OF
millions of Hebrews. Shall we not
stand by our professions, and prove by
our acts that this nation means what
it says when it protests that here is
the land of equality, of religious free
dom, of opportunity for all alikei In
principle, wherein would we be better
than Russia, if we meekly assented to
Russia perpetually violating treaty
obligations. Is it not more honorable
direct and manly to abrogate the
treaty ourselves, when it in fact means
nothing, than to let Russia fout itf
There will, of course, be no interna-
tional complications of a grave char
acter. Russia and the United States
are not going to fight, and they
are not going to have any very grave
commercial entanglements. A new
treaty will, doubtless, be substituted
that will put these matters on basis
more consonant with the self respect
of the United States, and that will
make American citizens sure of their
rights.
This is an affair which peculiarly
demands moderation in speech and ac-
tionj but it also requires frmnsss.