Omaha daily bee., 1917-03-18
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"A for the past few days with reports of the
Russian revolution, no one at this distance-and
probably few right at the seat Of the trouble
can have any adequate conception Of just what has
happened and what the establishment of new
government in Russia carries with it. One thing
however, which seems to be fairly clear, is that
the systematic persecution and fragrant denial OF
civil rights on account of religious profession, is
to be abated if not entirely abolished.
have been serving for ten years as a member
OF what is known as the American Jewish COM
mittee whose chief activity has been directed to-
ward lifting the ban OF racial and religious preju-
dice from Jews wherever they may be. 1t goes
without saying that the most acute situation to
be dealt with has been that affecting the Jews in
Russia, compelled to live there under most bur
densome and ignominious restrictions and period
ically made the victims of murderous mob out
breaks, or "pogroms," too often instigated and
abetted by the very officials charged with afford
ing them protection.
To justify its mistreatment Of its own Jewish
subjects, Russia went so far as to apply the same
restrictions of travel and business and social inter-
course to American citizens with Jewish affilia-
tons in direct violation Of their treaty obliga-
tons with the United States. Pressure brought
by the American Jewish committee, it will be
remembered, finally induced congress to ask the
president to abrogate the treaty, since which time
our trade and other relations with Russia have
been without treaty protection or regulation and
the negotiation of new treaty which would rem
edy the evil complained of has been awaiting the
termination of the war.
In the interval, however, the program has been
widened to include the amelioration OF the condi-
ton Of the Jews resident in Europe, and especially
in Russia, as well as of Jews who have become
American citizens and who may want to revisit
abroad or engage there in lawful pursuits. When
the party conventions were held last June ! was
deputed, along with others, to work for platform
ne 10, h,e ,,~h rafa
ence to the documents will show was incorpor-
ated into both OF the big. party pronouncements.
In the republican platform, for example, treaty
with Russia is demanded as with other countries
"hat will recognize the absolute right OF expatria
ton and prevent discrimination Of whatever kind
between American citizens, whether native born
or alien and regardless Of race, religion or pre-
vious political allegiance" And there is added
this significant expression: 1--WE unite in the
cherished hope that war which is now desolating
the world may speedily end, with complete and
everlasting restoration of brotherhood among the
nations of the earth and the assurance of full
equal rights, civil and religious, to all men in
every land"
All this but preludes the observation that the
revolution in Russia is apparently accomplishing,
in part at least, what it was hoped and expected
would remain for America to insist on as one OF
the conditions in the after-the-war readjustments
"a wiping out of the pales and complete break
ing of the chains still Furnishing people because of
their religious beliefs remnant OF the darkest
days of the Middle ages when fanaticism and SUI
perstition and witchcraft were the forces that
moved the world.
had notion that the rancor engendered by
the war among our citizens of foreign ancestry
was dying out and that the call for united
America was wiping out bitterness. This | be-
leve is true but every rule has its exceptions as
witness the following which came to me not long
ago through the mails:
Permit me to express my sincere pity for
your poor soul since you find il necessary still
to help spread all kinds of British lies, no mat
ter how foolish, malicious and devifish; you may
deceive yourselves, but not decent, sensible
people by pretending it is for the good Of hu-
mainly for the enlightening of the people,
for the progress of the world, for the salvation
of this nation, etc. God will punish nation
that loves lies and practices lying slandering
OF friends and the like, just as He is Furnishing
Europe for its sins"
Need add that this reversion to the once
common idea that war is "a scourge Of Cod
comes from minister Of the gospel?