7
THE JEWISH CHRONICLE
Duma Favorable to the Cause
of Jewish Freedom
Detroit's
Candidate for
Says M. PAUL MILIUKOV
Noted Russian Liberal Leader
.
GOVERNOR
Frank B. Leland
Successful
Banker and
Business Man
Regent
University of Michigan
One of the Duma Deputies now
ill London, England, is Professor
Miliukov, the eminent leader of the
Cadet (Liberal) Party in the Rus7
sian Chamber. Professor Miliukov
has led many a hard-fought fight
for Jewish freedom. His practical
experience as responsible leader of
an important Parliamentary group
also lends great weight to his utter-
ances. A representative of the
"Jewish Chronicle," there f or e,
seized the opportunity of his arrival
here to ascertain his opinions con-
. cerning the prospects of Russian
Jewry. Ilis views, it will be seen,
may be described as moderately op-
timistic. Actual facts are not ex-
hilarating, and the chances of com-
plete liberation can hardly be taken
into serious consideration at this
moment, But the general move-
ment in Professor Miliukov's belief
is towards liberty—the liberty of
Jew.and non-Jew alike.
You know the point of view of
the progressive Bloc on the Jewish
question," he remarked. "I tried,
during the formation of the Ifloc
in September of last year, to make
the members realize that the equal-
ization of the rights of Jews was
important, not only for the in-
ternal life of Russia, but in the
interests of its international rela-
tions. I succeeded so far that
there was introduced into the pro-
gramme of the Bloc proposals
dealing with progressive changes
in the present status of the Jews,
viz : (1) Further steps to abolish
the Pale ; (2) extended liberties
for Jews in the choice of a pro-
fession; and (3) greater facilities
for the education of Jews. These
proposals were accepted by six
parties who compose .the Bloc,
although the Right groups had
hitherto been opposed to relief
measures for the Jews. It was
a great step in advance, so far as
principle goes, although I admit
that from zt principle to its appli-
cation is a long distance."
The recent occasion, when an
interpellation by the Jewish Dep-
uty, M. Bomash, on the official
anti-Jewish circulars was with-
drawn owing to the apparent hos-
tility of portions of the Bloc
seemed to point to a decided
weakening, of pro-Jewish sympa-
thy on the part of that group.
But M. Miliukov, in a detailed
description of what occurred, re-
duced the incident rather to a
question of Parliamentary , tactics
than of actual . principle. What
happened, it appears, was that the
happened,
Right, or Conservative elements,
in the Bloc opposed the interpel-
lation out of fear that the Govern-
ment might defend the circulars
as being- in accordance with al-
leged military views, and they did
not want to have to choose be-
tween these supposed views and
the Jewish population. The
leader of the Centre Octobrists
also opposed the interpellation.
These two considerations influ-
enced M. 1;omash in the action
which he took, the Jewish depu-
ties naturally not desiring - to risk
an adverse vote on a vital ques-
tion. But what determined that
action still more was the fact that
the explanations which the Gov-
ernment had already given of
their attitude was satisfactory.
It may be asked why the Octo-
brist leader also opposed the in-
terpellation. But in this case the
reason, according to M. Miliukov,
was that the politician in question
did not regard as opportune the
turbulent debate to which the in-
terpellation would give rise. He
subsequently expressed his great
regret at what had happened and
gave the formal assurance that
he adhered firmly to the pro-Jew-
ish portion of the Bloc pro-
gramme. That assurance, said
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Professor Miliukov, was pub-
lished broadcast and was no
where challenged.
"Then we may take it," said the
"Jewish Chronicle," representa-
tive, "that the Bloc, which forms
the majority of the Duma, is still
favorable to the cause of relief
for Jews?"
"That is so, and I attach the
very greatest importance to that
fact."
What truth, if any, is there in
the charge of espionage levied
against the Russian Jews?
" \Veil as you know, the frontier
districts are inhabited by mixed
populations which are likely al-
ways to contain elements dis-
posed to those practices. But the
Jewish spyings are merely iso-
lated cases and form no basis
whatever for the indictment of
the whole community."
Were only Jews dealt with in
this way?
"At first. • But a few weeks
afterwards Russians and Poles
were treated in the same fashion.
It is a very bad system, but it will
not be repeated, as it is univer-
sally denounced now.
What is the attitude of the new
Premier, M. Stunner, towards the
Jews?
"I really don't know. I don't
think he has any opinions on the
Jewish question. The official
opinion in general is the supposed
opinion of the army. The Pre-
mier, who is also Minister of the
Interior, is very reticent—a man
with the bureaucrat cast of mind.
But the Assistant Ministeiiif - the___
Interior, Count Bobrinsky, is not
opposed to the Jews. Generally
speaking, there is a certain feeling
against the Jewish community
fostered by the charges brought
against them. But this is not
giving rise to any fresh and de-
cided anti-Jewish policy.
I
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