The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-07-05
RUSSIA MAY ABOLISH
PASSPORT SYSTEM
Government Considers Move
Which Would Greatly Bcne-
fit Travellers.
JEWS HOPEFUL OF ACTION
Americans Ban on Orientals
Given as justification
Of Exclusion.

spc~iai spoHdence 10 TnE srS
ST. PETERSBURG, June 25.--It Is highly
probable that the Government will soon
talc steps toward the abolition OF the
passport system both for Russians and
foreigners. II this should be done II will
md tn ten year controversy between the
cars Government and the United States
which began shortly after the settlement
uf the RussO-Japaueso war by the treaty
of Portsmouth. and which has been the
cause Of the abrogatlon of the treaty with
the United states and SO much III feeling
ON both sides.
50 often has the Russian Government
been ON tho point Of modifying the pass
porf system that action taken this week
= the Dund may bring 80 fruit after ALL
These facts, however, remain on record
Tho committee In the Duma for tho
consideration of resolutions has approved
a proposal VI the Finance Committee Tor
tn abolition of passports for persons
shug to go abroad. Immediate abolition
was opposed by representative of the
Govcrumert. but lie declared that in the
new passport law the Government would
probably abolish passports altogether for
both travellers entering and leaving Rus
sa.
n this promise crystalllzcs into definite
acton II Will be OF enormous benefit to
American Jews and will also be most
important step IN the modernization of
Russia The passport system as IL now
stands "modernized" a few wears ago at
the earnest solicitation OF Russian bust
ness firms, allows the granting OF entrance
INTO Russia to Jews only in case such
Jews are bankers or heads Of well known
large commercial firms" Otherwise for
elgn Jews must secure the special PERMITS
sion OF the Minister of the Interior To visit
Russian territory. and when permission Is
granted they may visit for a fixed period
such localities as they need for their COM
merce and industry. This arrangement
naturally led TO serious complications and
proved great drawback TO Russian bust
ness.
The Russian Government realized these
difficulties by reason of the fact that
many representatives. of commercial en-
terprlseS as we'll as physicians. scientists.
clergymen, public representatives, artists.
&c, could not enter the empire under
the classification OF 'bankers or heads
Of large commercial firms" Many in
stances have been put forward. For in
stance, II great foreign physician. a
jew. were called to the bedside of n
patient IN Russia he would be held up no
long a. the border waiting TO get the
proper wise on his passport that the pa
tent would pass beyond all earthly aid.
"a
d!ngs, funerals or other events could not
get into the country until too late, so
that their visits were useless.
TIE abrogatlon OF the treaty OF 1879
between Russia and the limited States.
which agreement was annulled I'm the lat
ter part OF 1912, was directly caused
AZ Il well known by the attitude OF this
Government on the Jewish passport ques-
ION. the United States claiming for all
rs citizens. no matter what their religion,
equal treatment abroad.
The Government here objected on the
ground that the United states would not
allow Russia's Mohammedan subjects to
enter the United States. and as 1t did not
,uord any favors TO It's own LEWIS there
vas no reason. why il should accord
fayors 70 Jews from the United states,
Vladimir Kokovsteff, until recently Prime
Minister. once pointed out very clearly
tu4t the restrictions placed on Jews en-
jerlng Russia were necessarily the policy
of the Government, Just as the United
States Government has legislated against
japanese. Chinese and Hindus. lie as
serted that IL was not against Jews of
American nationality only that the Gov
,rnment acted. but against all foreign
Jews. who in the eyes OF the Government,
are undesirable aliens.
Thu large number OF Jews In busl-
ness as heads OF important houses or
travelling statesmen has In recent years
made TN, Government somewhat lenient In
Is measures regarding passport.. In
1904 a commission was formed headed
nv Senator Durnovo 10 investigate the
,yhnI. s.tuatlon This commission sub.
,ulttod ronor, urging that all lew.
slo,IId have ,heir nassnorts vised upor
comnly,ng with certain formallt.es. But