No. 380.
Mr. Schuyler to Mr. Fish.
St: Petersburg, May 4, 1872. (Received May 22.)
Sir: Lord Augustus Loftus, the British embassador, told me that when he saw Prince Gortehaeoff with regard to the proposed emigration of the Mennonites, the prince said that no objection would be made to their going, but that they would not be allowed to sell their lands, and would be obliged to pay taxes for some years in advance.
It is now stated in the newspapers that the commission on the law of compulsory military service has resolved to make an exception in favor of the Mennonites and others whose consciences forbid them to bear arms. They will not be exempted from military service entirely, as that is considered unjust to the rest of the population, but will be exempted from carrying arms, and will be assigned other duties.
I do not know how far these statements are true, nor whether an exemption of this kind will be satisfactory to the Mennonites.
I have, &c,
Chargé d’Affaires ad int.