Sir J. Goldsmid, Bart., M.P.
Interpretation by Great Britain, 1912. Letter from Sir Edward Grey to the Conjoint Committee.
Foreign Office,
October 1st, 1912.
Gentlemen,—Secretary Sir E. Grey has had under his careful consideration your Memorial of August 2nd last on the subject of the grievances caused by the restrictions imposed in Russia on British subjects of the Jewish faith in regard to the interpretation of Articles I and XI of the Treaty of Commerce between this country and Russia of January 12th, 1859.
I am to inform you that, inasmuch as the construction which should be placed on the Articles of the Treaty was carefully considered by His Majesty's Government in 1862, and again in 1881, His Majesty's Government would not now be able to reverse the decision then arrived at, and that an attempt to do so, or to interpret and utilise the Treaty in a sense contrary to the spirit of that decision, would only lead to its termination by formal notice as provided for by the Treaty at the end of twelve months. Such result would in no way advance the interests of those whom you represent, and would in other respects be disadvantageous to British interests. Sir E. Grey, therefore, regrets that he is unable to approach the Russian Government in the sense desired.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your most obedient humble Servant,
Eyre A. Crowe.
The Conjoint Jewish Committee,
19 Finsbury Circus, E.C.
("Annual Report, Board of Deputies, 1912," pp. 81-82.)
Art. XIII. Anglo-Moorish Treaty, December 9, 1856.
Article XIII. All British subjects, whether Mahometans, Jews, or Christians, shall alike enjoy all the rights and privileges granted by the present Treaty and the Convention of Commerce and Navigation which has also been concluded this day, or which shall at any time be granted to the most favoured nation.