Evening star., 1933-11-26
Recognition of Soviet Russia Threatens
Status of Refugees in United States
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leased on their own recognizances II
no criminal charges held. On the pa
pers was indorsed that no action was
taken pending recognition" What is
In store for those persons so appre-
hended Is q problem Of the morrow.
1t may be months before their cases
Will come up, but meanwhile they are
plunged into doubt and uncertainty as
to their future. II they are wanted,
the United States authorities have
their addresses, and If they have moved
without giving notification they are la
bic to capture as fugitives.
Action TO Require Time.
To the organizations and to all who
are interested in the behalf of the
White Russians, it seems only ques-
ton as to when the Federal authorities
here will act. For the present there
are so many other things in the rela-
tions between the two countries
deemed Of more importance that weeks
or even months may pass before def
mite action is taken. Meanwhile, the
refugees are not satisfied with the in
direct assurances from semi-official So
Wet circles that they will come to no
harm, in the event of their enforced
return to Russia.
The first step taken by the immigra-
tion officials here, with the details of
recognition complete, would be to ask
passports for the Russians to be de-
ported. Such an arrangement, Of
course, was impossible with diplomatic
relations between the United States
and Russia severed. A passport, either
in war or peacetime, has to be approved
bv the representatives Of two nations.
This Government issues passports, but
they become valid only when accepted
or vised by the representatives of the
nation into whose territory the holder
OF the passport Is TO enter. In a case
of deportation. refugee might there
fore consider himself lucky if his pass
port is rejected
immigration laws OF the United
persons. but there are cases in which
dismissal can be made to countries
which are not the native lands OF the
deported. This point was mentioned
last week by Harold Fields; the execu-
tive director Of the National League for
American Citizenship, who was asked
for information on the subject. A de-
portee may even choose the country to
which he is to be sent, provided that
the land of his choice consents to re-
ceive him. That acquiescence is in
cluded in its approval Of his passport.
Italians Case Cited.
One Of the outstanding cases OF this
method grew out of the arrest of a
young Italian whom the United States
regarded as an undesirable alien. He
had been convicted of crime. A writ
of habeas corpus was obtained, and he
was brought before Judge Hand in the
Federal courts. 1t developed that the
man had been born in Italy, but was
brought by his parents to this country
as babe. He said that he was reared
in New York City and had never learned
the Italian language. If he returned
to Italy he would be among strangers
and, in his opinion, would not be able
to earn livelihood.
Furthermore. he had been conspicu-
Gus here as an enemy of the Fascist
and his offense had been an assault
committed In the effort TO break up q
Fascist meeting in this city. He repre-
sented that If he were returned to Italy
the Mussolini government would punish
him. He seemed to be in such mortal
terror that the judge was disinclined to
decide that he should be deported to
what was technically his land of origin.
The court suspended action and COM
municated with the State Department
concerning the case The answer from
Washington was that the law was the
law and that the man must be deported
The letter Of the statute is fulfilled II
this country gets rid of the unwanted
alien. The rules do not require that he
20 to any particular country The
Italian. in this instance. was able to
make his arrangements to enter Eng
land, as that country agreed to receive
him.
Russians Might Choose Czechoslovakia.
Russians who fear that they would
meet condign punishment, or even
death, II deported to their former coun-
try might therefore be sent to Czecho-
slovakia, or some other nation friendly
to them and willing to accept their
passports. For those who have estab-
lished themselves here and made new
ties such a procedure would be a great
hardship. their friends believe.
Another solution of their difficulties
would be the granting of amnesty by
the Soviet to all political offenders or
enemies. As such a course could not
be officially suggested by one nation to
another without being considered pre-
sumptuous, 1t is not within any official
scope. The granting Of amnesties-that
is, of pardons en- masse-has not been
uncommon. After the American Civil
War, for instance, President Andrew
Johnson issued amnesty which applied
to those who had taken part in the re-
bellion, excepting few classes and in
dividuals. In 1872 a general amnesty
was passed covering all persons who
had fought for the Confederate States
or had been considered enemies of the
Union. The President Of the United
States, as decided by the Supreme
Court, has full authority to proclaim
amnesty Also Congress has also that
authority. In England the amnesty
may be granted directly by the King or
by act of Parliament. There are nu-
merous instances in European history
Of this general pardon being granted as
after the thorough suppression of a re-
bellion or on the accession OF a new
monarch. Refugees have returned from
all parts Of the world on the strength
Of such acts Of clemency.
Many Desire Citizenship.
There are In this country, however,
exiled Russians who do not wish to go
to what might be fr1endlier land.
They are intent on staying in the United
States, where they would become citi-
zens. 1t is with this class that the
proposed American Russian committee
is especially concerned. The movement
has been started by Mrs. Courtney
Campbell Of East Twelfth street, wife
of a we'll known book dealer. Sne is
the daughter of Judge William r. Green