Mr. Smith to Mr. Blaine.

[Extract.]
No. 79.]

Sir: In view of the numerous and varied reports during the last few months concerning the purpose and action of the Russian Government in regard to the Jewish people living within the Empire, I have deemed it useful to institute some inquiries on the subject through the consuls of the United States. To this end I sent out in January a circular letter. The design of this circular was not to initiate a minute investigation [Page 741] into details which would require much time, but to elicit trustworthy information upon the spirit and tendencies which mark the present policy towards the Jews. It was deemed necessary to communicate only with the consuls located in the section where the Jews are found in considerable numbers, and the circular was therefore addressed only to the consuls at Warsaw, Odessa, and Riga.

They all agree in declaring that there is no evidence of the application and enforcement of new measures against the Hebrews. At the same time, those on the western frontier of the Empire observe signs of the more stringent execution of old laws which have heretofore been so loosely and lightly observed as practically to be inoperative.

As to St. Petersburg and Moscow, the best information I can gather leads to the conclusion that the present policy of the Government is inducing some withdrawal of the Jews from these centers. The long-established laws permit only Jewish merchants of the first guild and Jews of certain other professional or artisan classes to reside in these cities. But the prohibition against Jews outside of these classes has not been enforced with any degree of strictness, and under the influence of this laxity thousands who are interdicted by the terms of the law have settled in St. Petersburg and Moscow. I do not understand that there is any harsh or general movement to enforce the law now, but am informed that such inquiries have been set on foot as to create the fear on the part of those not embraced within the tolerated classes that trouble may be experienced, and that under this apprehension some of them are removing from the two chief cities of the Empire.

I have, etc.,

Chas. Emory Smith.