Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-01-25
Russa's Attitude on Abroeateo
Treaty.
Russia's

the Emitted States. however much we
might agree with the position of the
administration. w are III duty bound
to our readers to present Russia side
OF il. We are enabled TO do so at this
time. When President Taft abrogated
the treaty made with Russia in 1882.
the editor of Golfers conceived it to
be matter of high interest to
American citizens to know the Of
fetal views of the Russian govern
ment upon the action taken by the
President The announcement Of
abrogation, couched though it was in
the language Of diplomacy, and avoid
ing the assertions which made OBJ
iectionable to Russia the SulZer
resolution passed by Congress Decem-
Der 10, was followed nevertheless by
cahled reports that Russia intended to
make immediate tariff reprsals. Ac-
cordmgly. an authoritative statement
Of the attitude of Russia became in
oreaSingly a matter of International
importance, After a preliminary in
terchange of messages between a for
mer American diplomat, acting in be-
court. the editor was informed that
the premier of Russia. Vladimir
Kokovtsoff, would make a written re-
Spouse to set of questions. 4 list of
five questions. prepared after con-
sultation with men interested in all
phases of the issue, thereupon was
cabled to the premier. A delay en-
sued. due. il became apparent when
the response came. to the care taken
by Kokovtsoff in preparing his re-
plies. The absence of diplomatic
evasion is noticeable The questions
and replies follow in order
QUESTION: Has not Russia af-
forded the United States ground for
abrogating the treaty of 1882 by her
violation in excluding United States
citizens, especially of Jewish faith?
ANSWER: No. Russia has not af-
forded the United States any ground
for abrogating the treaty The
treaty of 1892 was made exclusively
for commercial purposes, and clause
in the very first article stipulated that
American citizens arriving in Russia
and Russian subjects arriving in the
United States. should be subject to
the internal laws and regulations of
| the respective, countries. The entry
of American citizens of Jewish faith
| into Russia is not absolutely pro-
hibited. With respect to them as to
other American citizens, and in strict
accordance with the stipulations of
| the treaty our country enforces Ger
tain rules. These rules were estab-
| lished by Russian internal legislation
which permits the entry into Russia
OF foreign Jews only in definite cases.
The rules have been in force ever
since the treaty was concluded. and
there never has been any cause to
doubt the legality, and there could
not be any, because the enforcement,
as before pointed out, was stipulated
| in the treaty itself.
QUESTION: Has Russia treated
American citizens of Jewish descent
differently in respect of their privi-
leges under the treaty than it has
treated other American citizens not
Hebrews?
ANSWER: Yes, Russia has treated
american Jews differently from the
Very beginning. 1t has treated them
exactly on the same basis as ali other
foreign Jews without exception.
Nevertheless, not a single civilized
country ever disputed the right of
another country to define for itself
classes of undesirables, because under
the principles of international law
thIs right is the absolutely incon-
testaDle prerogativc of every soy
iefelGn power. Guided thereby. the
unted States established exactly in
the same way in immigration acts
classes of undesirable aliens, deter
mined by qualifications of an eco
monte, sanitary, moral, social, and
\
Legislation, for instance, prohibited
the entry into the United States ot
persons belonging to religious bodies
tolerating polygamy. whereas Russian
leglslation does not sec any cause fol
such restriction. Still, as said
such classes Of undesirable aliens ar,
dehned for itself by each country
wherefore. neither the Russian no.
: american government saw any viola
. ton OF the treaty of 1882 in the mas
2 sage and enforcement of the afore
SAID American immigration acts. Thi
ought to be clear TO every statesman
QUESTION: If SO, has Russi
!, special reasons for such d;scrimina
ton?
ANSWER: For economic and 50
: elaI reasons Russian legislation es