Extradition of Russian Political Prisoners
More or less is being said in the papers of the country regarding the extradition of two Russians, Rudowitz and Pouren. Both of these, it is said, have left Russia on account of purely political offenses; offenses which in Russia condemn them to sentence of death. It has generally been contrary in the United States to deliver up political prisoners to foreign powers, only for what would be called actual crimes against individuals. A strong appeal is being made by the defense of these men for the repeal or change of the treaty between Russia and America. It certainly is cruel to deliver men for political offenses to the Russian Government, especially when Russia’s cruelty toward offenders of this kind is so well known. Deeds which would be passed over in silence or with little or no punishment at all in most countries, are considered in Russia capital crimes, or are punished with deportation to the wilds of Siberia.