The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1903-07-05
OUR RELATIONS WITH RUSSIA.

The Washington and st. Petersburg
dispatches indicate very clearly that
our relations with Russia are slightly
strained and that there is danger that
they will be ruptured. Among the re-
ports there is one that the Russian am
bassador. Count Cassini. who has al
ready left Washington on his way to
st. Petersburg viii not return to that
city in an official capacity, and that
our ambassador 10 Russia, Mr.. McCor-
mick, will not return to his post of
duty until the differences between the
two government are adjusted. 1t is
impossible to say, of course, how much
truth there is in these rumors but is
is probable that there is ample founda-
ton for them.
Ii is asserted that some of the Pres
idents friends think he made a blum
der by permitting the statement to go
out from the State Department that
the government of the United States
would pay no attention to the news
paper statements that the Russian
government would not receive the pc
tition Of the Jews relative to the Kish-
ineff affair, and that the good faith OF
Russia was doubted in the matter Of
the open door policy in Manchuria. De-
VeIopulents in the near future will de-
termine whether or not he Numbered.
II is evidently the intention of the
government of Russia to refuse to re-
ceive the petition of the Jews In the
Kishineff matter. 1t has been plainly
stated in semi official newspapers of
st. Petersburg that the Russian gov
ernmtnt would not permit Interference
in her internal affairs by the United
States or any other nation. From
statements given out by the State De-
partment it seems that the hope is
entertained that the matter will be so
managed that the Russian government
will have no cause to be offended. 1t
will be asked If it will receive the pc
tition, and if 1t will not the incident
will end. At least that is the under
standing now. As the petition will
not be presented if the Russian gov
eminent objects that government will
have no opportunity to administer
snub to the United States.
But the fact that the Presi-
dent has brought the question of the
open door policy in Manchuria into
the matter and charged Russia with
bad faith in connection with
1t may prove to be unfortunate. AS
the cotton manufacturers of this coun-
try, particularly those of the South,
are greatly interested in the Manchu-
ria trade, it may become an impor-
tsnt factor in the presidential cam
paign.
II is said that Mr.. Hay Secretary of
State, had reached a point in his ne
gotiations with the Russian govern
ment respecting Manchuria, at which
he felt certain that this country would
secure a share of the Manchurian
trade. 1t is asserted now by some of
the Presidents friends. that his blum
der has undone all that Mr.. Hay had
accomplished. This view of the sit
ua ton may be the correct one, but 1t
is too soon to say whether 1t is or not.
There is no doubt that the charge
of bad faith made against the Russian
viii have the effect of
creating ill-feeling in Russia against
the United States. and 1t may result in
the shutting out of Manchuria all
American trade.
In view of the fact that our govern
ment had received no direct communi-
cation from the Russian government
respecting the petition of the Jews,
out State Department could have pur-
sued wiser course If it had maintain
ed silence.