The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-06-24
SOVEREIGN is NOT
REGARDED AS MINOR
and the Emperor OF Austria, their
engagement was announced

Emperor Nicholas has been moved
by the case of Miss Malecka. whom
he pardoned tho other day. to issue
orders to his minister of Justice. and
to tho premier looking towards tho
repeal of the Russian statute which
claims sovereignty over tho foreign
born children of emigrant Russians
who have been naturalized abroad.
At tho present moment tho Musco-
vito Empire is the only power which
makes any such claim. and there is
no doubt that tho adjustment
OF this antiquatcd statute will
go far to remove the differences with
the United States.
Miss Malecka may after all BIO con-
sidered to have escaped very easily
For though born and educated in
England. daughter OF n Russian Pole,
who had become naturalzed in Great
Britain without the previous consent
Of the Russian government, she had
in the first place become Intimately
associated with the members of the
polish revolutionary party in London,
and had then accepted position as
governess In Russian Poland, where
she continued her blood thirsty as
sociations.
Any alien coming to this country to
assist In furthering an Instruction
airy movement against the govern
ment would be first of all punished
according to the laws of tho land.
ana then expelled as disturbing
factor. SO that oven though Miss
Malecka Is English by nationality,
had she been punished for her revolu-
tionary activities. there would have
been no rightful ground for COM
plant That Is why Sir Edward Grey,
the foreign secretary. refused. In
spite OF parliamentary pressure. to
Intervene in her behalf. but secured
her pardon directly from tho Gear by
u. vate. and I may add royal, agency.
But while tho Car is ready to repeal
mis- statutory claim to Sovereignty
over foreign born children of Rus
slams who havo secured foreign ma
tionaiity, he declines to abandon the
claims of his empire to Sovereignty
over tho emigrants themselves. unless
they have the consent of his govern
mcnt to omigratc, and to secure
foreign naturalization.
Like other powers. Russian law
takes tho ground that the infant from
the hour OF birth to the attainment of
adult years. is accommodating n debt
towards It's native land. The latter
gives II protection for life free cdu-
cation. and all tho other benefits re-
sultinE from the maintenance of law
powers demand In payment of this
debt in the case OF males is military
service. actual or potential
No State. Russia least of all, has
ever cancelled recognition OF this
very natural debt. Hence there fol-
lows the obligation laid upon all
citizens DESTROYS of changing their
nationality, first to liquidate their
Indebtedness to their native State: and
that is why Russia demands that her
subjects before acquiring foreign
naturalization should first of all OBJ
| tain from Russia permission to do so,
as also formal release r-om any
patriotic duties towards that country
In many countries, the people who
| have neglected to obtain such per-
init are punished IL they return to tho
land OF their birth, Russia contents
herself with excluding them.
Attention having been drawn to tho
admirable care and education be-
slowed here upon deaf mutes. I would
state, In answer to an inquiry. that
the law of England is extremely care
ful in dealing with persons thus af-
iiicted. When n deaf mute is charged
win crime. jury Is empanelled to
determine whether the prisoner is
mute of malice" or by "the vista
ton of God" II the latter, experts in
the deaf and dumb language are
called to assist the court in deciding
whether the prisoner is capable of
| understanding the proceedings, and OF
instructing his counsel.
Should the experts be of the opin-
lon that the prisoner would not be
able to follow the proceedings under
standingly, although otherwise quite
| intelligent, the judge usually directs
the jury to return a verdict of mot
| sane" The judge thereupon. by vir-
tue of statute dating from the year
1900, orders him to be detained in
custody during His Majesty's pleas
ure."
Copyright, 1912. by the Brentwood
Company
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