[Inclosure No. 1.—Translation.]
Mr. Westmann to
Mr. Schuyler.
St.
Petersburg, August 28, [September 9,]
1872.
Sir: I have had the honor of receiving the
note you kindly addressed me dated the 8–20 August.
The Government of the United States, in speaking of the persecution
which, according to it, the Israelites endured in the United
Principalities, expresses the desire of seeing them redressed by the
signatory powers to the convention of Paris of 1858; the
dispositions of which are thought to be infringed.
Not being a signatary of this convention, and scrupulously observing
the principle of non-intervention in the affairs of other countries,
the Government of the United States expresses the wish that the
imperial government of Russia should judge it fit, either alone, or
in concert with the other co-signataries-to take measures, to
alleviate
[Page 498]
the condition of
the Roumanian Israelites, which would call out the gratitude and
sympathies of the American Government and nation.
The imperial government of Russia has always been animated with the
desire of taking into consideration the wishes expressed to it in
the name of the Government of the United States. Nevertheless, in
this instance it regrets that it must differ in opinion. An
attentive examination of the engagements of the convention of 1858
does not authorize it to believe that these stipulations have been
infringed. It consequently cannot recognize the existence of
sufficient reasons to justify a diplomatic intervention.
Like the Government of the United States, the imperial government of
Russia scrupulously observes the principle of non-intervention in
the internal affairs of other countries.
It is true that regretable disorders have occurred in certain
localities of Roumania, but these disorders were provoked, as is
unanimously admitted, by some Israelites, who gave themselves up to
acts odiously sacrilegious in the eyes of the Christians. Besides,
these matters have been regularly submitted to the courts of
justice, which have pronounced their final judgment.
As regards systematic and notorious persecutions in Roumania against
the Israelite population, our official agents in the principalities
make no mention of any in their reports. The imperial government has
no reason to doubt their impartiality.
Receive, sir, the assurance of my very distinguished
consideration.
