The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1933-11-18

SdlCVJs NOCStCc VI Jan. 90, 1910, AII.
81
Interference with the performance
of religious rites In SO far as they do
not endanger public order and are not
accompanied by arrangements on the
rights Of others, is punishable by COM
pulsory labor for period up to six
months. Criminal Code, Art. 1879
8. The right and opportunity to
lease, erect or maintain In convenient
situations" churches, houses or other
buildings appropriate for religious
purposes.
This right Is supported by the fol-
lowing laws and regulations:
\ Believers belonging to 8 religious
Society with the object Of making pro-
vision for their requirements in the
matter Of religion, may lease under
contract, free Of charge, from the sub
district or district executive commit
tee or from the town soviet, special
buildings for the purpose Of worship
and objects intended exclusively for
the purposes of their cult. Decree Of
April 8, 1929, Art. 100
Furthermore, believers who have
formed religious society or a group
Of believers may use for religious
meetings other buildings which have
been placed at their disposal on lease
by private persons or by local soyiets
and executive committees. All rules
established for hours of worship are
applicable to these buildings. Con-
tracts for the use of such buildings
shall be concluded by individual be-
levers who. will be held responsible for
their execution. In addition, these
buildings must comply with the SAM
tary and technical building regula-
tons. decree of April 8, 1929, Art. 100
The place OF worship and religious
property shall be handed over for
the use Of believers forming a religi-
GUS society under a contract conclud-
ed in the name of the competent dis
trict executive committee or town So
Wet by the competent administrative
department or branch, or directly by
the district executive committee.
decree Of April 0, 1929, Art. 15.)'
The construction Of new places of
worship may take place at the desire
Of religious societies provided that
the usual technical building regula-
tons and the special regulations laid
down by the Peoples Commissiariat
for Internal Affairs are observed.
decree Of April s, 1929, Art. 45.)
4. The right to collect from their
co-religionists. voluntary offering
for religious purposes"
This right is supported by the fol-
lowing law:
Members Of groups of believes and
religious societies may raise subscrip-
tons among themselves and collect
voluntary offerings. both in the place
Of worship itself and outside it, but
only amongst the members of the
religious association concerned and
only for purposes connected with the
upkeeps OF the place of worship and
the religious property, for the en-
gagement OF ministers Of religion and
for the expenses Of their executive
body Any form Of forced contribu-
ton in aid of religious associations
is punishable under the Criminal
Code. decree Of April o, 1929, Art.
so.
5. Right to impart religious In
struce.on to their children either
singly or in groups or to have such
instruction impaired by persons whom
they may employ for such purpose"
This right is supported by the fol-
lowing law: The school is separated
from the church. Instruction in
religious doctrines is not permitted
in any governmental and common
schools, nor in private teaching in
stitutions where general subjects are
taught. Persons may give or receive
religious instruction In a private
manner. decree OF January %, 1918.
Art. 81. Furthermore, the Soviet
Government is prepared to include
in a consular convention to be nego-
tiated Immediately following the es-
Enlistment of relations between ou1
two countries provisions in which ma
tionals Of the United States snail be
granted rights with reference to free
dom of conscience and the free ex-
ercise Of religion which shall not be
less favorable than those enjoyed in
the Union Of Soviet Socialist Repub-
lies by nationals of the nation most
favored in this respect. In this con-
nection, have the honor to call to
your attention Article 9 of the treaty
between Germany and the Union Of
Soviet Socialist Republics, signed at
Moscow October IL, 1925, which reads
as follows:
Nationals Of each of the contract
ing parties shall be entitled to hold
religious services in churches, house
or other buildings rented, according
to the laws Of the country, in their
national language or in any other
language, which Is customary in their
religion. They shall be entitled to
bury their dead in accordance with
their religious practice in burial
grounds established and maintained
by them with the approval Of the
competent authorities, so long as they
comply with the police authorities
Of the other party in respect of
buildinsg and public health.
Furthermore. I desire to state. that
the rights specified in the above para
graphs will be granted to American
nationals Immediately upon the es-
Enlistment of relations between our
two countries.
Finally, I have the honor to In
form you that the government Of the
Union Of Soviet Socialist Republics.
while reserving to itself the right Of
refusing visas to American desiring
to enter the Union of Soviet Socslist
Republics on personal grounds, does
not intend to base any such refusals
OH the facts OF such persons having
an ecclesiastical status.