New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-04-14
THE RUSSIAN TREATY
Herbert Parsons Thinks It Ought TO
Be Denounced.

To the Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir: Permit me. q partisan Republican,
to express my dissent from the item In
your issue Of yesterday, IN which your
Washington correspondent seems TO thinX
that the proper way to get Justice for Amer
lean Jews visiting Russia IL TO leave the
matter TO Diplomatic negotiations, that TO
denounce the treaty will delay achieve
ment OF the desired result, and that Demo-
cras are therefore to be criticised for Of
ferlng resolutions for the denuncauon or
the treaty As n matter OF fact, Congress-
man Calder. the single Republican from
greater New York, offered such resolu-
ton at the opening Of this Congress. While
there is a chance that the real issue might
he obscured by an attempt TO play politics
with e. that attempt could not alter the
real situation.
We now have n treaty with Russia, made
In 1897, under which 1t was supposed, and
our State Department has contended, that
all Americans were entitled 10 travel and
sojourn IN Russia In order t. attend 10
their business affairs, irrespective OF their
religious faith. but which Russia constructs
as emitting her to discriminate against
American Jews on the ground OF their re-
ligious faith. Since the CO.'S there has
been an attempt to settle this matter by
diplomatic negotiation Nothing has been
accomplished. What hope IS there now
that by diplomatic negotiation anything
will be accomplished? Is there anything IN
the study OF the diplomatic situation which
indicates that? I have studied that stu
alton. and. In my opinion. there is moth
ing TO indicate II. but, IN the contrary,
the hope of accomplishing something lies
in indignant action on ou: part, taking
the form OF denunciation of the treaty.
Moreover. does any one imagine that we
would now make a treaty with Russia
under which she could discriminate against
American Jews on the ground Of religious
belief? Such a treaty would be in viola
ton Of fundamental American principle
the principle that all Americans have rights
as citizens. irrespective OF their religious
faith. Why, then. continue such treaty?
In Justice 70 that very principle VIC must
denounce the treaty. Until we do denounce
it we arc false 70 the principle.
Your Washington correspondent says
that tho basic obstacles ore 10 be found
in Germany and Austria, an idea that is
brand new and worthy the deception OF
Russian diplomacy. But Germany and
Austria cannot be obstacles TO our being
true to one OF our fundamental principles.
Few people have realized tho disgrace TO
the United States that the present con-
structon OF this treaty involves, and when
they learn OF il they demand change.
Russia, understanding the present interest
IN the matter will seek to tide over the
period Of American indignation until some
other event obscures this. Let America
be true 70 her own self by denouncing this
treaty, and she Will be more of force
ard achieve more than she ever can hope
to by relying upon fruitless diplomatic
parleying. only by decisive action can she
speak I'm a way to be Enthusiastically under
stood. Firm adherence to q principle, fun
damental in liberal world, is in time
bound to bring even Russia to an acknowl-
edGment OF that principle. and the firmer
the sooner. HERBERT PARSONS.
New York. April r. 1911
mfr. Parsons's sympathies and those Of
Mr.. William S. Bennett, as set forth In
his letter which We printed yesterday,
are identical with our own. We cannot,
however. see that the end which they
and We desire is to be attained by the
means which they propose. We want to
see the rights OF American Jews vindi-
Gated, but We cannot see how that could
be done through formal relinquish-
ment OF those rights We think that
Russia Is acting Illegally. but We should
not expect 70 see her moved TO better
things by our legalZiug her illegal acts.
Mr.. Parsons asks II any one imagines
that We would now make a treaty with
Russia permitting discrimination against
American Jews. No. But does any one
imagine that II we abrogated this treaty
Russia would make another more favor
able to the Jews. or even as favorable
as this? If she will not live up to our
OF the existing treaty Il
would be extravaga ( to expect her TO
make a new treaty specifically recogniz-
ing our Interpretation. And We must be- |
lieve that American Jews are better off !
under the present treaty. only partly !
fulfilled, than they would be under none |
at all. Meantime. more liberal senti- |
ments are gradually spreading in Russia, |
and II Is not yet necessary TO abandon !
hope OF accomplishing by steady diplo- |
matte pressure an object which "lndig-
nant action" would defeat.-Ed.l.