Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-06-29
RUSSIA SEEKING
u. s. FRIENDSHIP
IN NEW TREATY
Renewal of Pact Abrogated by
Congress Is Proposed by
Diplomats of Gar.
JEWISH QUESTION RISES
Washington Is Silent, but Under
standing Is That Bryan Is Will
ing to Renew Negotiations.

WASHINGTON, June 2s.-Russia
has asked the United States Govern
ment to take up the question Of re-
newal of treaty of amity and COM
merce. The treaty of 1882 on that
subject was abrogated out Of hand by
the Congress of the United States.
Secretary of State Bryan said to-
day that the question of renewing ne
gotiations had been discussed, with
the President, but that there was
nothing yet to state in the way of de-
tail.
It has been stated to Russia, how
ever, that the United States is willing
to resume negotiations which had
been commenced during the adminis-
tration of the office of Secretary of
State by Mr.. Knox
Two Diplomats Suggested.
The President is soon to appoint an
Ambassador to the Court Of st. Pc
tersburg and the report is that a Sc
lection will be made between Charles
R. Crane and Frederick Penffeld, of
Philadelphia and New York
The administration will have 10
meet the question of the Jewish pass
port and the recognition Of the Jews
as American citizens without regard
to race or religion in the new negotia-
lions. 1t is well known that Russia
was anxious to renew negotiations
very soon after the affront to the
Jewish race under the old treaty or by
Russia's construction of the old treaty
was wiped out by the joint resolution
Of Congress which abrogated the
treaty of 1882. This action of Con-
gress was unequivocally an act to
rebuke Russia for her treatment Of
the Jews generally and specifically
for her continued refusal to recognize
passports issued to Jews.
Knox Charges Discrimination.
Secretary of State Knox held that
the question Of Jews should not enter
into the matter at all, and that the
real question was that the treaty Of
1882 Disseminated against American
citizens.
1t was stated during the last admin
istration that Russia was trying to
separate the Jewish passport question
from all other questions which would
enter into a treaty of amity and COM
merce, such as is made with all en-
lightened nations.
The statement was made at the
time that the old administration
frowned on this none too subtle sug-
gestion of Russia and held that there
should be no treaty except one that
would do full justice to all Americans
Jews, Irish, English. Germans-no
matter what their origin if they were
citizens of the United States.
White House Silent.
The State Department at that time
knew that If a treaty was sent to
the Senate which did not include a
solution Of the passport question It
could not be ratified. 1t is said that
the present administration under
stands the situation thoroughly and
will endeavor to get a treaty which
will cover all American interests ia
vorably or none at all.
At the White House no expression
of opinion is yet obtainable from any
official rejecting the views of the
President. There is no question, how
ever, that the Ambassador to be ap-
pointed by the President will be fully
instructed on the passport question
before he goes to st. Petersburg.