No. 558.
Mr. Hoffman to Mr. Evarts.
St. Petersburg, May 7, 1880. (Received May 24.)
Sir: I have the honor to report to you the case of Henry Pinkos, an Israelite and citizen of the United States.
About a fortnight ago this man was brought to me by Mr. Edwards, who informed me that Pinkos had been ordered to leave St. Petersburg. The latter told me that all foreign Jews had been ordered to leave this city at once.
I wrote immediately to Mr. de Giers and Mr. Edwards saw General Zouroff, the prefect of the city, and obtained from him a delay of three days.
As I did not hear from Mr. de Giers, I went to see him and suggested that this man might at least have a delay of some weeks in order that [Page 874] he might dispose of his property or embark with it for England on the opening of navigation. When the three days had expired I applied to General Zouroff for a further extension, and obtained a week. As no vessel had in the meantime arrived, I applied at its expiration for still further delay and obtained three days more, with an intimation that General Zouroff regretted that it would be impossible for him to accord any further delay.
The extended time expires to-day. English steamers have in the meantime arrived, and Pinkos will be able to embark at once with his family and property.
I have heard nothing whatever from Mr. de Giers, from which I infer that he in unable to interfere with General Melikoff’s order. Upon calling at the foreign office yesterday I was unable to see him on account of the Easter holidays.
I understand that, since it has appeared, many Jews have been engaged in the plots against the Emperor, and that foreign Jews have been ordered to leave not only St. Petersburg, but Moscow, and some other large towns, where they have hitherto been permitted to reside.
I have, &c.,