El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-12-28
T0ET5 TREATY
WITH RUSSIA
ON JAN. |
United States to Abrogate
international Agreement
Made in 1882.
COUNTRIES REMAIN
ON FRIENDLY BASIS

Washington, D. c.. Dec z8.-NcX
Wednesday, January 1, 1913, marks the
day on which the treaty between
Russia and the United States will b'
abrOgated.
This interna tionaI agreement be-
tween the Gar and Uncle Sam was en-.
tered into in 1892 and was terminated
because of RUssia's refusal to grant
passports to American citizens whC
were of the Jewish race
While the relations between these
two countries have been Of a very
cordial nature in a diplomatic sense
matters began to grow acute when
eminent American citizens of Hebrew
lineage were subjected to the humilia-
ton of being denied entrance into
Russia, solely because of their religion.
There had been some desultory agi-
tatiOn in regard to this matter from
time 10 time but it came to a head
last summer, when Oscar StTaus, for
mer minister to ConstantinOple and
recently a candidate for governor OF
New York, and Jacob Schiff, a New
York banker, applied to the Russian
government for passports as American
citizens and were refused
This hampering of two eminent
American citizens, whom this country
had frequently hOnOred, precipitated
the agitation which eliminated in tho
action taken by congress abrOSating
the treaty of January 1, of this year.
continue friendly relations between the
two countries.
This alliance was one of the dip
1omatic marvels Of the age, Here
was a country which represented the
last word in autocratic tyranny as
suming and maintaining a most cor
dial attitude towards a republic and
a democracy which was fairly set out
upon a mission to cast down those
political ideals which the former
country was making its chief object
to maintain. Notwithstanding this,
Russia has always been ranged on
the side of the United States in every
international issue involving the wei
fare Of this government
At the time the question of abrO-
eating the treaty was up before con-
Sress. president Taft pointed out that
the treaty was old and antiquated and
that while its provisions had been
violated in the matter of the Ameri-
can Jews, there were also other i'm
porfant questions that had arisen
since the ratification Of the treaty,
which were not covered by it
It was William Sulzer, Democratic
governor of the state of New
York, who initiated the fight on the
treaty in the house of representatives
As chairman of the committee on for
eign affairs he arose and, burning
with indignation he called the atten-
ton Of the house to the gross VIOLA
ton of the ancient pact and demanded
its abrOgation.
Introducing a resolution to this ef-
feet, Mr.. Sulzer precipitated fight
in the house which lasted several
days. There were some members who
were disposed to look upon Russia'S
discriminatory tactics with indiffer-
ence, but before the debate had pro-
crossed many days the temper of the
American people made itself felt in so
palpable a manner that congress voted
overwhelmingly TO abrogate the treaty.
This does not mean that diplomatic
relations between Russia and the
United States are Indefinitely suspend
ed. In fact they will not be cut off at
all in a practical sense. It was but
recently that president Taft sent a
message to the car cOngTatulatng
him upon his birthday anniversary and
that ruler replied in terms Of warm
cOrdiality.
The treaty Of 1882 was effected by
James Buchanan, who was then min
lister at st. Petersburg, and count
NeSselrOde Russian minister of for
eign affairs. At that time no mention
was made by either government Of
personal rights Independent of COM
meTcial rights, and it was this very
technically which resulted in its abb
rOgation so years later.
At the time the treaty was made it
was looked upon as a shrewd diplO-
matte victory for Buchanan and he
was the recipient of numerous con-
2EdLuldLlOnS-
were considered to be broad although
the thought Of both countries was,
doubtless. that it related to CONNER
cial affairs only.
The first case of record in which an
American Jew was denied passport IN
to Russia was in 1852, when the Rus
sian government refused to wise the
passport of A. Dudley Mann, who was
assistant secretary of state
and envoy to Brussels from the south
ern cOnfederacy during the civil war.
Mr.. Mann complained to secretary
Of state Edward Everett, that the
first article Of the treaty had been yiO-
lated. But that statesman did not con-
cur in his view Of it. He said the
treaty covered commercial relations
only and called Mann's attention to
the stipulation that the inhabitants
of the two states should have the
same protection and security as ma
tiveS of the country wherein they re-
side "On condition of their submitting
to the laws and ordinances there pre-
vailing, and particularly to the regu- ]
ations in force concerning commerce." /
and that the Tight-~of sOjOurn and |
residence must have reference to that /
subject.
There were no more cases of this
kind until 1874, when Marshall Jewel,
the American minister, brought the |
of the state department to |
the complaint Of an American JeWess !
who was threatened with expulsion |
from Russia
It was not until 1881 that an Ameri- |
can statesman took the opposite view /
Of the matter. And since the man
who did was no other than James G. +
Blaine, his Interpretation of the treaty 1
has been the one generally accepted !
by the people and the statesmen of /
the United States.
Mr.. Blaine argued that Russia had 4
taken advantage Of a technicality in I
expelling American Jews and that 1
such action was contrary to the I
spirit OF the treaty. You can further 1
advise the emperor" said he in the 4
course of a letter to the American min /
ster at St Petersburg, that we can
make no new treaty with Russia nor |
accept any construction of our exist 4
ing treaty which shah discriminate /
against any class of American citI-
sens on account of their religious
faith"
FE TO BUILD