over Russia." To this the Minister had retorted that he could
not allow the settlement of Jews except in Central Asia and in the newly
conquered oasis of Akhal-Tekke, [1] In obedience to these ministerial
utterances, the obsequious financier sharply opposed the plan of a
Jewish emigration to foreign lands, and seriously recommended to the
conference to consider the proposal made by Ignatyev. The Minister's
suggestion was bitterly attacked by Dr. Mandelstamm, who saw in it a new
attempt to make sport of the Jews, Even Professor Bakst, who objected to
emigration on principle, declared that the proposed scheme of settling
the Jews amounted in reality to "a deportation to far-off places" and
was tantamount to an official "classification of the Jews as criminals."

[Footnote 1: In the Trans-Caspian region. It had been occupied by
Russian troops shortly before--in 1880.]

From the project of deportation, which failed to meet with the sympathy
of the conference, the delegates proceeded to discuss the burning
question of pogroms. It was proposed to send a deputation to the Tzar,
appealing to him to put a stop to the legislative restrictions, which
were bound to inspire the Russian population with the belief that the
Jews were outside the pale of the law.

In the question of foreign emigration the majority of the conference
voted against the establishment of emigration committees, on the ground
that the latter might give the impression as if the Jews were desirous
of leaving Russia.

After a debate lasting four days the following resolutions were adopted:

_First_, to reject completely the thought of organizing emigration,
as being subversive of the dignity of the Russian body politic and
of the historic rights of the Jews to their present fatherland.

_Second_, to point to the necessity of abolishing the present
discriminating legislation concerning the Jews, this abolition being
the only means to regulate the relationship of the Jewish population
to the original inhabitants.

_Third_, to bring to the knowledge of the Government the passive
attitude of the authorities which had clearly manifested itself
during the time of the disorders.

_Fourth_, to petition the Government to find means for compensating
the Jewish population, which had suffered from the pogroms as a
result of inadequate police protection.

At the same time the conference took occasion to refute the old
accusation, which had