Russia and the American Passport
An earnest effort is being made to have the government of the United States abrogate its treaty made in 1832 with Russia, on the ground that the Russian government has violated its agreements, by denying to American citizens of the Jewish race the right of entry into Russian territory. Resolutions have been introduced into the House of Representatives and the Senate, calling upon President Taft by representatives of the American Jewish Committee, the delivered a strong speech in defense of these resolutions. An interview with President Taft with representatives of the American Jewish Committee, the Union of American Hebrew Congregations, and the Independent order of the Benai B'rith is supposed to have had the effect of inducing the President to give special attention to the claims of American Jews in this particular. Probably the strongest argument in favor of the abrogation of the Treaty was made by Mr. Louis Marshall, who read the following paper before the 21st Council of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations. This is probably the first time that American Jews have come out publicly in a demand for their equal political rights in this country. Whatever may be the outcome of the present agitation on the passport question, this much is certain, that the American Jewish Committee has gained considerably in the esteem of American Jewry by the bold, public stand taken on this issue, and it is to be hoped that in the pressing of Jewish claims further that the same "open" method be pursued. Whether the result be a victory for Jewish interests or not, its effect upon Jewish public opinion will certainly be salutary. The issue is of sufficient importance to warrant the republication of Mr. Marshall's Address.
AMERICAN citizenship has hitherto been regarded as a priceless treasure. Men have gladly given for it their lives and all their material possessions. It has meant to them life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It has been to them the richest guerdon of all their hopes and a badge of honor and distinction, and aspirations. It has peopled the wilderness, and lighted the torch of progress and civilization. It has challenged universal respect, and has gained for itself the good will of well nigh all the peoples of the earth.
And yet there rests a stain on the honor of our nation and on the integrity of American citizenship, for the passport issued by the State Department of the our country, and which vouches for the United States, bearing the great seal of citizenship of him to whom it is issued, is dishonored, rejected, and arbitrarily disregarded by the Russian Government whenever the citizens by whom it is presented happens to be a Jew. It matters
not if he be able to trace his ancestry to those who landed with Columbus, to those who were among the settlers who came to New York in 1655, to those who fought in the war for Independence. It matters not that none of their kith or kin ever were subjects of Russia. All are denied the privilege of entering its domain, though panoplied with the armor and the shield of American citizenship.
For more than thirty years this has been the declared policy of the Russian Government. Its discrimination against our citizens has been persistently and constantly avowed and acted upon. Men of every class have suffered the same ignominy and contumely. No man within the hearing of my voice who professes to be a Jew, however eloquent in true Americanism his life has been can venture within the walls which Russia has erected against the outside world, even though vouched for by a passport from our Government, without having those credentials figuratively torn into shreds and cast defiantly into his face.