New-York tribune., 1911-12-14

Foreign Affairs Committee. which unan'-
mously reported his resolution favorabv'
declared that for nearly half century
Russia had persstently refused TO hVe
UP TO the treaty or to recognize pass
ports of American citizens without dis
elimination on account of race or re-
ligion. lie said in part:
This IS not Jewish question. II IS an
American question. II involves great
lrinciple. 1t affects the rights OF all Ame,-
lean citizens. Russia not only refuses W
recognize American passports held by Jews
on account of their race or their religion
but she also refuses 10 recognize American
passports held by Baptist missionaries
Catholic priests and Presbyterian divines
on account of their religious belief.
The government of the United states de
olarcs as "A fundamental principle that az
mon orc equal before the law, regardless OF
Iece or religion. and makes no distinction
based on the Creeds or the blrthplaces ..
its citizens in this connection, nor can II
consistently permit such distinctions TO ne
made hv - foreign power. We solemnly as
cert that tho rights of our citizens at nome
or abroad shall not be impaired OH account
freedom OF religious belief-the right to
Norsnip according 20 the dictates OF our
conscicncc-ls one Of the cornerstones OF
our broad institutions, ana so jealous Vi
TIL. liberty were the fathers that they
wrote in the federal Constitution:
"TEat Congress shall make no law re-
rlcctinC tho establishment of Religion OF
IrohihitinS the free exercise there or . A.,
We declare the government OF the Chlteu
States has carefully lived mp 10 It's treat5
obligations with Russia We nave EIantSu
10 every Russian coming 10 TINS country
all the rights stipulated in the treaty, Hre-
s0octive OF race or religion. Ih2l IS our
construction OF the treaty OF l&Z am
der,onstrates tho intention OF the United
States government in its conclusion. -.
What action should the Congress OF tile
United States take In this matter nave
given much thought to this inquiry. ana
have finally concluded that the best acuol
VIC can take 10 remedy tins lnJustce 70
Official notice of twelve months on RUSSIA
that we desire 20 abrogate the treaty OF
1872. and that at the expiration OF the no
ticc given i'm accordance with the terms
OF the treaty it shall be null and void
There can he no arbitration of TINS ele-
mental principle Of our government, thete
must he no more delay, the matter must be
settled once for all time, and q new treaty
arranged in which Russia can find no loop
tole to enable her to discriminate against
suy class Of American citizens on account
OF race or religion.
The awakening has come with a keen
realization of the affronts we have suffered
for years at the hands Of government
notorious for IFS lack OF human sympathy.
As an incident to the debate it was
noted that Representatives Goldfogle
and Levy, both of New York, were al
ternately called TO the chair by the
Speaker to preside over the House while
the passport question was the subject Of
patriotic and vitriolic speeches.
\ practically Identical resolution Of
fered by Mr.. Culberson. Of Texas, Is
pending in the Senate. and favorable
action by both houses would be neces-
sary 10 make either resolution effective
Both resolutions would direct the Presi-
dent TO give Russia Immediately the
years notice necessary for the complete
sbroEation OF the treaty which has been
in force nearly eighty years.