I return to you herewith the certificate of naturalization of Giovanni J. Margolin, before the district court of the United States for the southern district of New York, on the 2d day of October, 1900; and the passport of Giovanni J. Margolin, No. 2386, issued by the Hon. Andrew D. White, at the United States embassy in Berlin, on the 1st day of November, 1900. SIR: I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th instant inclosing Mr. Margolin's passport and certificate of naturalization. I wrote simultaneously to the said person, requesting him to furnish you the desired information on the direct way. I have, etc., P. N. BORNHOLDT. [Inclosure 5.] Mr. Margolin to Mr. Tower. VITEBSK, December 4/17, 1900. YOUR EXCELLENCY: A few days ago I received a letter from the United States consul at Riga, where I applied for kind assistance to protect my sojourn in Russia as an American citizen, with the instruction to furnish the embassy on the direct way with some further details in regard to my person. I hereby take the liberty to comply with the order of the consul, and I venture to hope that the honorable embassy will convey my petition. The origin of my country is Austria, and I was born on the 10th of October, 1868, at Stanislau, Austria, of Jewish parentage. After finishing different colleges of education in Austria and Germany, I went to New York with the purpose of entering a business career. I landed in New York on the 4th day of January, 1895, and lived there all the time until October 4, 1900, when I sailed for Europe. I was employed there for several years in prominent commercial houses as a bookkeeper. After acquiring some of the important methods how to transact and own business, and possessing partly the American language, I represented in partnership with another gentleman under our own firma large concern in "American novelties" for the State of New York. Finally I was engaged in the real estate and insurance business for myself until my departure with a success capable of being named. I have never been taxed there and I have never served upon a jury. My intention and good will are to stay a citizen of the United States. Under the circumstances that I have a great number of relations in Russia and which are well connected with business houses of influence, I expect, by importing different American novelties exclusively for Russia, to approve as well with the interests of my country, as I think it will provide convenient for my share. Therefore I request of the highly esteemed embassy to secure for me the permission to stop in this country at least as long as my passport, which I presume was sent to the embassy with my citizen paper by the consul at Riga, is entitled to his rights. Trusting that my petition will find a a favorable assistance with the honorable embassy, I have, etc. G. J. MARGOLIN. [Inclosure 6.] Mr. Tower to Mr. Margolin. EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, St. Petersburg, January 2, 1901. SIR: I have received your letter, dated at Whitebsk the 4-17th of December, 1900, in which you reply to the questions which I asked of Mr. Bornholdt, United States consul, in regard to your nationality and your naturalization in America. FR 1901-29 You now request me to secure for you a permit to reside in Russia "at least as long as your passport. By this I judge that you would like a permit for two years with the privilege of having it renewed when you renew your passport. Is this not so, or do you wish a permanent residence in Russia? Yours, etc., [Inclosure 7.] Mr. Margolin to Mr. Tower. CHARLEMAGNE TOWER. VITEBSK, January 6, 1901. YOUR EXCELLENCY: I have received your letter of January 2, with which your excellency had the kindness to honor me, and I hasten to submit to your excellency an obedient reply. It will deign perfectly to my satisfaction if your excellency shall favor me with the grace to secure for me a permit to reside as long as my passport, as issued by the esteemed embassy of the United States at Berlin for two years, is current. In case my enterprises should exhibit a favorable result, in every respect, I would prefer, if possible, having the privilege of renewing your excellency's, for me, kind obtained permit, together with my passport, after its expiration. I presume that to secure a permanent residence in Russia will be connected with many difficulties, therefore I have decided to aim at that idea. Finally, I take the liberty of mentioning the fact that the permission of my sojourn in Russia, originally granted to me by the Russian minister, as your excellency will kindly notice of my passport, will soon lose its validity, in consequence of which I hereby request of your excellency to relieve my case, to your excellency's earliest convenience, with an affirmative success. I have the honor to be, etc., G. J. MARGOLIN. [Inclosure 8.] 'Mr. Tower to Mr. Margolin. EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have received your letter of the 6th of January. You tell me, in reply to my inquiry, that you wish to obtain a permit to remain in Russia at least for two years, and, if possible, the right to live here permanently. I have submitted your case to the Department of State, at Washington, and shall inform you immediately upon the receipt by me of its decision. In the meantime, I say to you that, in view of the fact that you lived in the United States barely long enough to become a citizen; that you never performed any service there whatever, or paid any taxes; and that you left America immediately upon having obtained your certificate of naturalization, you are not likely to be looked upon as one in a position to call upon the United States Government to interest itself in securing privileges for you abroad. Yours, truly, CHARLEMAGNE TOWER. Mr. Hay to Mr. Tower. No. 216.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 381, of the 10th instant, reporting the case of Mr. Giovanni J. Margolin, an Austrian by birth, Jewish faith, who emigrated to the United States in 1895, was naturalized October 2, 1900, then went to Europe, secured a passport dated November 1, 1900, at the United States embassy in Berlin, entered Russia with a permission, as a Hebrew, to stay three months, and who now asks the good offices of this Government, in order to secure the extension of that permission on the part of the Russian Government to the full term of the passport, or indefinitely. The Department approves your view of the case. More satisfactory evidence should be forthcoming than is now submitted of Mr. Margolin's actual conservation of his acquired citizenship before the intervention of this Government should be exercised to procure for him the continued privilege of residence in Russia for which he applies. I am, etc., JOHN HAY. EXPULSION OF GEORGE KENNAN FROM RUSSIA. Mr. Tower to Mr. Hay. No. 454.] EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES, SIR: I have the honor to report to you for your information that Mr. George Kennan, an American citizen, recently visiting St. Petersburg, was directed day before yesterday by the Russian police authorities to quit the Empire. Mr. Kennan arrived here about three weeks ago, by way of Finland, and has since been staying at the Hotel d'Angleterre in this city. His criticisms of the Russian Government in a book which he published some years ago in relation to the penal institutions of Siberia have not been considered either just or fair by the Russians themselves, and his presence here has not been looked upon with favor by the official community of the Empire. Although Mr. Kennan reported himself to the police authorities of St. Petersburg upon his arrival here, as all travelers are required by law to do, he has not been disturbed until now. He has been treated with entire courtesy and consideration; though, having voluntarily placed himself within the jurisdiction of the Russian law, he has become, as he himself admits, amenable to its provisions and is consequently ordered beyond the frontier. Mr. Kennan wrote to me last evening as follows: A very courteous officer from the department of police called at my room this afternoon to inform me that, by direction of the minister of the interior, and in accordance with chapter 313 of Volume II of the laws of the Empire, I, as an "untrustworthy" American citizen am to be sent out of the country by the train leaving here for Germany at 10.30 to-morrow night. Meanwhile I am under close arrest in my room. Of course they are acting within their right, and I have no complaint whatever to make, nor do I ask any interposition on the part of the embassy. Mr. Kennan requested that Mr. Morgan, secretary of this embassy, should go to him to assist in having some books packed which he could not carry in his trunk. At my request Mr. Morgan called upon Mr. Kennan yesterday to ask whether he was in need of any assistance. Mr. Kennan replied that he had nothing to ask for, and that he met with politeness from all the officials of the Imperial police. He left St. Petersburg last evening at 10.30 o'clock. The chapter 313 of Volume II of the Russian law, under which this expulsion has taken place, reads as follows: Governors of provinces shall have supervision of all residents within their jurisdiction, and also of all foreigners who may be temporarily sojourning therein either for purposes of business or otherwise. They shall secure to such foreigners the benefits to which they may be entitled under the law, and shall protect them in the pursuit of their several occupations. But they shall require the passports of all foreigners to be in due legal form; and shall also keep a detailed account, to be transmitted by them to the higher police authorities, of the conduct, actions, and mode of life of all such foreigners. Foreigners who have come into Russia with passports may be expelled from the Empire only upon the decision of a court of law or by order of the higher police authorities. Those foreigners whose behavior is suspicious and those who are not desirable as residents within the Empire may be expelled by order of the minister of the interior. I have the honor to inclose to you herewith a copy of Mr. Kennan's letter to me under date of the 25th of July, 1901. I have, etc., [Inclosure.] CHARLEMAGNE TOWER. Mr. Kennan to Mr. Tower. HOTEL D'ANGLETERRE, DEAR MR. TOWER: A very courteous officer from the department of police called at my room this afternoon to inform me that by direction of the minister of the interior and in accordance with chapter 313 of Volume II of the laws of the Empire, I, as an "untrustworthy" American citizen, am to be sent out of the country by the train leaving here for Germany at 10.30 to-morrow night. Meanwhile, I am under close arrest in my room. Of course they are acting within their right, and I have no complaint whatever to make, nor do I ask interposition on the part of the embassy. I merely wish you to know why it is impossible for me to make a farewell call upon you. If, however, without inconveniencing or compromising the embassy in any way, you could request Mr. Morgan to call upon me to-morrow (Friday) I should like to ask him to give some directions for me with regard to the shipment of some (perfectly innocent) Russian books, which, owing to my arrest, I can't get packed. I shouldn't put him to so much trouble if I could help it, but I presume I shall not be allowed to see any other person. I shall go directly through to London, and will advise you by telegraph of my safe arrival there. With sincere respect and esteem, I am, faithfully yours, GEORGE KENNAN. Mr. Adee to Mr. Tower. No. 247.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 13, 1901. SIR: I have to acknowledge the receipt of your No. 454 of the 27th ultimo, reporting the arrest and expulsion from the Russian Empire of Mr. George Kennan, an American citizen. In reply I have to say that the incident attracted little attention in this country, the expulsion not having been attended with any action occasioning complaint on Mr. Kennan's part. I am, etc., ALVEY A. ADEE, Acting Secretary. LIABILITY OF NATURALIZED CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES EXPATRIATION LAWS OF THEIR DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, August 1, 1901. NOTICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS FORMERLY SUBJECTS OF RUSSIA WHO CONTEMPLATE RETURNING TO THAT COUNTRY. The information given below is believed to be correct, yet is not to be considered as official, as it relates to the laws and regulations of a foreign country. A Russian is enrolled for military service at the beginning of the twenty-first year of his age, and remains on the rolls to the end of his forty-third year; but at the age of 15 he is considered to be among those who are liable to perform military service, and he can not, after reaching that age, ask for permission to become a citizen of a foreign country, unless he has performed his military service. A Russian who becomes a citizen of another country without Imperial consent is liable under Russian law to the loss of all his civil rights and to perpetual banishment from the Empire. If he returns he is liable to deportation to Siberia. When a Russian emigrates before he is 15 years old, and subsequently becomes a citizen of another country, he is equally liable to punishment, unless when he attained the age of 21 years he took steps necessary to obtain the consent of the Emperor to his expatriation. Naturalized Americans of Russian birth, of the Jewish race, are not allowed to enter Russia except by special permission. For this, they may apply to the minister of the interior, but the Department can not act as intermediary in making the application. There is no treaty between the United States and Russia defining the status of American citizens of Russian birth upon their return to Russia. No one is admitted to Russia without a passport. It must be visaed by a Russian diplomatic or consular representative. Upon entering Russia it should be shown at the first Government house, and the holder will be given another passport or permit of sojourn. At least twentyfour hours before departure from Russia this permit should be presented and a passport of departure will be granted and the original passport returned. A fresh permit to remain in Russia must be obtained every six months. CONDOLENCES ON ASSASSINATION OF PRESIDENT M'KINLEY. Mr. Wollant to Mr. Hay. [Telegram.-Translation.] RUSSIAN EMBASSY, Narragansett Pier, September 15, 1901. Prince Oblensky, acting Imperial minister, profoundly afflicted by the sad news of the demise of President McKinley, desires me to transmit to the Federal Government the expression of the keenest See instruction to Austria-Hungary, December 10, 1900, page 7. |
