New-York tribune., 1911-11-17
|.JEWS LEAD j. s. TO
REVISE RUSSIAN PACT
Government. Reused by Protests,
Prepares to ParIey with New
Ambassador of Car.
WANTS BARRIERS REMOVED
St. Petersburg Willing to Grant
Right of Entry to Naturalized
Americans, but Fears OBJ
jections from Europe.

Americans, but Fears OBJ
jections from Europe.
Washington. Nov. 16.-With the un-
derstanding that NJ. Bakhmetieff, the
newly appointed Russian Ambassador,
who is expected to present himself in
Washington next week. comes charged
by his government with authority to
open negotiations for revision OF the
treaty Of commerce and navigation OF
1899, the State Department officials nave
already given the subject attention, with
the purpose of framing concrete pro-
posals to submit to the ambassador as
basis for the negotiations.
The necessity for the revision of this
ancient convention has been brought
home to the President by the many de-
mands and appeals from Jewish organi-
cations throughout the country for re-
moval Of the alleged discrimination made
by Russia against native and natural
ized American Jews seeking to enter
Russia. Although apparently the exist
ing treaty does not draw any line as
between native and naturalized citizens,
the Russian government has placed
construction upon the article regarding
entry and right of travel that operates
to exclude from Russia any Jews except
commercial travellers and those visiting
Russia temporarily in the pursuit OF
business.
Russia Fears European Protests.
1t is understood here that the Russian
government finds itself much embar-
rassed in undertaking negotiations IN
volving the right of American Jews 10
enter Russia because of the difficulty OF
avoiding a charge of discrimination by
other nations. There is believed to be
no considerable objection on the part OF
the Russian government to extending
to American Jews the privilege OF enter
ing Russia. for the reason that most of
these Jews are so well satisfied with
America as a place of abode that thei:'
only purpose OF going to Russia, aside
from business reasons, is to make a
temporary visit TO relatives or friends.
But there is said to be serious objec-
tion on the part of the Russian govern
ment to opening the country to the free
entry Of the great body of Polish and
French and Oriental Jews. The diff
Guilty Is to shape the new Russo Ameri-
can treaty so as to admit the American
Jews without leaving the way open for
European nations to base demand
upon Russia for similar treatment under
the favored nation clauses of existing
treaties. II Is believed that a way has
been found to do this but it will remain
for NJ. Bakhmetieff to decide whether or
not this plan is acceptable to the Rus
sian government.
to passports. has been generally ignored
by the Russian government The attitude
of Russia was emphasized only few
months ago by a member of the Russian
consulate of this city, who frankly admit
ted that the agreement respecting pass
ports had not been observed by his coun-
try. He explained, however. that while
this was so, Russia justified her position
by the fact that the treaty conflicted with
certain internal laws Of the land against
Russian Jews. Russia was unwilling, the
representative said. TO give Jews OF other
countries more rights or privileges than
she gave to Jews of her own country.
II also was pointed out that Jewish
American citizens seeking to enter Russia
we're subjected to even more rigorous re-
strictions and receive even less considera-
ton than the restricted Jews Of Russia
itself. No American Jew. according to the
one describing the situation, with the ex-
ception OF specially exempted representa-
tives Of large commercial houses or men
who had secured special permits from the
Minister of the Interior could set foot In
the Cars domain.
The attitude OF the Russian government
regarding the question of passports finally
aroused such a wave of protest in this
country that some of the most prominent
remedy the situation. In october of this
year 1t was planned to hold mass meetings
throughout the United States i'm the in
tereSt OF tNe cause anu 10 petition tOnRTesS
TO take action. the idea being to have Con-
eress abrogate the treaty unless Russia
recognized this country's passports. IRE
spective OF the race OF the persons present
ing them.
DR.. Josiah Strong Of No. 222 East 18th
street. was one Of the men interested in
the movement When he learned last night
that. according TO report the new Russian
Ambassadors to this country had been in
structed by his government TO take up the
question OF passports and to endeavor 10
bring about a satisfactory agreement be-
tween this country and Russia. he ex-
pressed himself as greatly surprised. He
said he had no previous intimation that the
Russian government was willing TO remedy
the existing situation, adding
Repeated efforts have been made 10 Sc
cure observance OF the treaty on the part
Of Russia. II seemed that there was moth
ing left for the United States to do except
10 renounce the compact This government
can enforce laws within its own jurisdic-
tion but is powerless when another coun-
try is concerned. All that remains for us
10 do is to renounce the treaty and show
Russia we are i'm earnest 4 new treaty
should be drawn containing a guarantee
on the part of Russia that its provisions
would be obeyed.
rO ,pROTEST AGAINST RIIScIA