Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-01-01
CZAR'S GOVERNMENT TURNS
DOWN PROPOSED AGREEMENT
WITH UNITED STATES.
PASSPORT DEMANDS FOR
JEWS PRINCIPAL POINT
Economic Agreement Of Allied Nations
Another Factor-Movement Seen to
Favor England, Japan and Other
Pcwers-United States May Get
Few Crumbs From Discard.

Washington. Jan. 1.-The Russian
government has declined to negotiate
a new commercial treaty with the
United States to replace the treaty
abrogated by the American congress
under the Taft administration.
Pctrograd refuses even to discuss
the question of Il new treaty with Da-
to Russia for these two reasons:
Russia will never accede to the
American proposal that she honor all
american passports and thereby admit
American Jews to her dominionS.
Russia feels that since she entered
into the economic alliance with the
other entente allies at the Paris con-
ference she would prefer to consult
Great Britain. France, Italy and Japan
before discussing commercial treaty
of any character with the United
States
This disclosure was made here to-
day almost concurrently with a confer
cnce between Secretary Of State Rob-
ert Lansing ana TeCfSe bdkiilieleli-
the Russian ambassador.
U. S. Seeks New Trade Treaty.
Both officials denied that the ques-
ton of the treaty had been discussed.
Each said only minor niqttsrs Of TO in
terest to the public were taken up.
It transpires. however, that Petro-
grad has been the scene of the prin-
cipal efforts of the administration to
obtain a new treaty with Russia which
would facilitate the extension of Amer
lean trade in that empire of almost
illimitablc commercial possibilities.
Francis Hoped to Open Territory.
Amba ssa dor Francis, himself a high
~ successful business man. went to
Russia hoping that he would be able
to open up this vast territory to Amer
lean trade on an unprecedented scale,
particularly as the Muscovite empire
had been cut off by the war from COM
mercial intercourse with the Teutonic
countries and naturally would be look
ing for substitutes for German manu-
features. r5.sE {
The ambassador recently was fur
nished with the draft of a treaty which
the administration desired him to sub
nit to the Russian government as the
basis of negotiations and he now has
reported his failure to obtain a salts
factory hearing. . ry. ..a
Passport Demand Blocks Way.
1t appears that when Ambassador
Francis preached the matter to the
Russian foreign Office he was inform
ed that there could be no discussion of
the matter at this. or at,any other, time
In tat g.
mand that Russia agree to recognize
American passports as giving their
passengers the right to enter and so
journ in the empire.
The ambassador was compelled to
admit that the draft of the treaty for
wa rded to him by the state department
contained that precise provision. There
upon the foreign minister stated that
it would be useless to discuss the pro-
posal further.
Russia Holds Right TO Bar Americans.
Francis has transmitted the official
Russian explanation of the refusa TO
enter into a passport agreement. This
is that every nation possesses the right
to bar from its territory any persons it
deems Objectionable.
Although not mentioning American
Jews specifically, the foreign office
stated that there are certain classes of
persons in the United States as in other
countries which Russia believes her
self warranted for vital reasons in ex-
GLIDING. Therefore Russia reserves
the right to exclude American citizens
even though bearing American pass
ports.
U. S. Excludes Moneolians.
Furthermore. it was pointed out t6
Ambassador Francis that the United
States now excludes about 100000
Mongolians who are Russian subjects,
and. therefore, cannot complain if Rus
STA exercises the right to bar Ameri-
can Jews.
No less significant is the disclosure
that even if the passport dispute were
eliminated, Russia would. not feel at
liberty to enter into new commercial
treaty with the United States without
virtually obtaining permission to do
so from the other entente allies
"Leftovers" Only For America.
This is the first glimpse given the
United States of effect on American in
terests of the economic alliance into
which the allies entered Mt the Paris
conference.
This revelation means that Russia is
to give the preference in commercial
matters to her allies, that Great Brit
ain. France, Italy and Japan are to be
allowed first chance at the rich trade
opportunities in the Muscovite empire
and that American merchants and pro-
ducers can expect to garner only the
leftovers. ...