Such a distinction is not known or tolerated in this country. When the passport of the United States is issued to a citizen of the United States. that of itself ought to be sufficient guarantee of the character of the bearer. and no nation ever ought to ask. or be permitted to ask. his religion when preparing to travel in another country. much less be refused admission on religious grounds. In course of time many Russlans have come to America. clildren have been born to these immigrants. if they are of the Jewish faith they may never ieturn to the land of their fathers birth on either business or pleasure. yet no one. by any process of reasoning. could find any ground for such a distinction. If this continues. and it has been going on since the early sixties. and continues to this hour. and Russia sees fit to refuse a citizen of the United States because he Is a Jew. and can do this arbitrarily and we calmly submitto such a violation of the treaty. how long will it be. if some advantage Is thought possible because of such discrimination. until the passport of some American will be refused because the holder thereof is a banker or a merchant or a lawyer. and what will prevent the final rejection of all American citizens. no matter who they are or what their belief or occupation? If the treaty by any interpretation gives to Russia the right to discriminate on account of religious belief. then the treaty Is in direct contravention of the very spirit of American institutions and should be abrogated. if. on the otiher hand. it does not give such right to Russia and she persits in violating the treaty by such discriminations. then by all means abrogate the treaty. just as any man or set of men would abrogate any contract when one of the contracting parties violates its terms.
Keywords matched
immigrants