The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-07-01
lis THIS 4 GRAND STAND PLAY?
Was it Arranged by Hay and
cassini in Washington

Washington, June 25.-The Presi-
dent has decided to transmit to the
Russian Government the petition pre-
sented to him by the executive council
of the B'Nai Birth, regarding treat
ment of Jews in Russia.
This decision has been taken after
much consideration. At first it was
decsded that if the petition we're pre-
sented to the Government of Russia it
would lead to repsonse that would
cause break in the relations of the
two countries. However, the first
conclusion has been reconsidered and
by direction of the President the petit
tion will now go forward. What the
result will be is problematical. AS
indicated in the following note from
Secretary Hay to Simon Woolf, the
presentation will probably be made to
the Russian Government through the
United States charge at st. Peters
burg. The note reads:
Department Of State, Washington,
June "a, 1903.-Dear Sir: The Presi-
dent has concluded to transmit to the
Russian Government the petition of
which you presented him a draft on
the 18th of this month. The matter
which he had to consider most serious
ly was whether or not such proceed
ing would be to the advantage of your
prosecuted and outraged relatives in
Russia. On this point he has decided
to accept your opinion, and that of
the numerous and intelligent groups
of American citizens of the Jewish
faith whom you represent. He re-
quests that you will send him the pc
tition in due form at your earliest
convenience. Of course you will un-
derstand that the President cannot
tell you what reception your petition
will meet with at the hand of the
Russian Government. I am yours
faithfully, John Hay.
"Hon. Simon Woolf, Washington,
d. G.
The petition which will be transmit
ted to 6he Russian Government is the
one which the executive council Of the
B'Nal Birth handed to the President
as tentative document to be signed
| by leading citizens of the United
States. outside of Federal ofce-hold-
ers. It is stated that it will take
about two weeks to obtain these sig
natures, work along that line already
being in progress.
| Upon learning that the Government
of the United States had decided to
forward the petition to the Russian
Government Count Cassini, went to
the State department. and consulted
with Secretary Hay. The call of the
ambassador upon Secretary Hay was
shorter than usual, but it developed
officially the fact that the Government
of the United States intended to for
ward the Jewish petition to the Gear
| if it was possible to do so At the
White House conference on the 10Th
instant the Jewish delegates had
made the point that the Gear was
kept from knowledge of the truth as
to the condition of the Jews in his
Empire by the bureaucrats, who
hedged him about on all sides, and
they were sure that if the President
would only assist them in laying their
case before the Gear himself he would
at once adopt measures to alleviate
their condition. The President at that
hearing promised to do what he
could. It was at once perceived that
to do what was asked involved the
danger of short reply, and disposi-
tion developed to regard the full pub
licity which had been given to the
White House conference as sufficient
to meet the needs of the case, for it
was assumed that the Gear could not
fail to see some of the newspaper COM
ments and reports upon this subject.
The Jews, however, we're not satisfied
with this passive attitude and the
President decided to adopt the bold
course of sending the petition directly
to the Cazr, through the United
States embassy at st. Petersburg.
Officially it is predicted that this will
be received, but privately it may be
stated that there have been no lack OF
intimations from informed sources that
the Car will never be permitted to see
the petition, as the Russian prime
minister will not receive it for trans
mission. In fact, it is realized that
the Russian position is still correctly
described in the statement telegraphed
from Washington on June 9 by the
Associated Press, from which this ex-
tract is taken:
"Nor will it be possible for Russia
to receive any representations regard
ing the Kischinef incident from for
eign Power. The Russian Govern
ment takes the same position as. that
long held by the American Govern
ment, namely, that it refrains from in
reference in the internal affairs of
another Power and must insist on SINH
lar treatment for ITSELF
If there is to be refusal on the part
of the Russian Government to receive
the Jewish petition, then upon Mr..
Riddle, the United States charge at St.
Peterburg, will the modification fall,
for the ambassador, MIR. Mccormick,
has not yet returned to MS post from
his hasty visit to Chicago, and it is
entirely possible that what happens at
st. Petersburg when Mr.. Riddle un-
dertakes his disagreeable task may de-
lay the ambassador return to St. Pc
tersburg indefinitely. Of Course in
such case Count Cassini, who is sail
ing a week from today for Russia,
might make correspondingly long
stay at home.