The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-07-17

Washington, July 1.-THE officA state
nent of the facts in the Kishineff pc
tition was given out today and is as fol-
lows:
The Russian government has declined
10 receive or TO consider the petition m
relation 10 the condition of the Jews In
Russia signed by several thousand at-
izens and cablod 20 ST. Petersburg by di-
rection OF the president.
AT the conference on Tuesday, the
fourteenth OF July at Oyster bay the
president conferred with Messrs. Leon
Levy. Simon Wolf, and Oscar s. Straus,
In regard 10 the presentation OF the petit
ton and decided to send the following
despatch 10 Mr.. Riddle, the American
Charge d'affaires In St Petersburg:
Department OF State.
Washington, July 10, 1908.
Riddle, ST. Petersburg.
You are instructed 10 ask an audience
OF the minister OF foreign affairs and to
make to him the following communfca-
ton:
Exceilency: The secretary OF state IN
etrlIcts me 10 inform you that the pres
sdent has received from a large number
OF citizens OF the United States OF all re-
ligious affiliations and occupying toe
highest positions In both public and pri-
~
20 his majesty relating To the condition
OF the eJws IN Russia and running as fol-
lows:
To His Imperial Majesty. the En-
peror OF Russia;
The cruel outrages perpetrated at
Kishineff during Easter OF 1903 have ex-
cited horror and reprobatlon throughout
the world. Until your majesty gave
special and personal directions the local
authorities failed to maintain order or
suppress the riotlng.
The victims were Jews and the as
sault was the result Of race and religious
prejudices.
The rioters violated the laws OF Rus
STA"
The local officials were derelict In the
Performance OF their duty.
The Jews were the victims OF indefen-
eible lawlessness. These facts are made
plain by the official reports OF and by the
official acts following the riot
Under ordinary conditions the awful ca
lamity would be deplored without undue
fear OF recurrence But such Is not
the case in the present instance. Your
petitioners are advised that millions OF
Jews. Russian subjects. dwelling in south
western Russia are inconstant dread OF
fresh outbreaks They feel that ignor-
ance. superstition and bigotry as com
piled by the rioters are ever ready 20
persecute them; that the local officials
unless they are specially admonished can
not be relied upon as strenuous protectors
OF their peace and security; that n public
sentiment Of hostility has beenengendered
against them and hangs over them as
continuing menace.
Washington, July l7.-Even n IL be
conceded that these affairs are 10 some
extent exaggerated, IL is unquestionably
true that they exist. that they are not
eroimdless and that they produce ef-
fects OF great Importance.
The westward immigration Of Russian
Jews which has proceeded for over 20
years n being stimulated by these fears,
and already that movement has become go
great as 20 overshadow In magnitude the
expulsion OF the Jews from Spain and 90
rank with the exodus from Egypt.
No estimate Is possible OF the misery
suffered by the hopeless Jews who were
sriven 10 forsake their native land. 20
sever the most sacred tie and 10 wander
forth 10 strange countries. Neither is II
possible TO estimate the misery suffered
by those who are unwilling or unable
20 leave the land OF their birth who must
part with friends and rleations, who i'm
migrant into never ending terror.
Religious persecution is more sinful
end more fatuous even than war. War
e. some times necessary, honorable and
Just: religious persecution Is never de-
fensible.
The sinfulness and folly which gave
impulse 90 unnecessary war received their
greatest check when your majesty initia-
tive resulted in an international court OF
peace.
With such an example before 1t. the
civilized world cherishes the hope that
upon the same initiative there shall be
fixed IN the early days OF the 20Il cen
tury the enduring principle OF religious
liberty that by gracious and c,onVinr-
claim. not only for the government OF
your own subjects. but also for the guild
ance OF all civilized men. that none shall
sE IN bes5gss BFoPssy yreror, y bsSf s9n
that the humblest subject or citizen may
worship. according 10 the dictates of MS
own conscience. and that government.
whatever its form. must safeguard these
rights and immuniues by the exercise OF
all fits powers.
Far removed from your majesty's do
rninions. living under different conditions
and owing allegiance 90 another govern
ment. your petitioners yet venture IN the
name OF civilization 10 plead for religlops
liberty and tolerance; plead that ne who
led his own people and all others % the
shrine of peace will add new iustre 10 his
reign and fame by leading a new move
uent that shall commit the whole world
IN opposition 20 religious prosecutions.
I arm Instructed 20 ask whether the re-
70 be submitted 20 the gracious consider
alton Of his majesty. In that case the
petition will be az once forwarded 10 ST.
Petersburg.
+ avail myself. etc. You will repor, az
the earliest possible your direction ot this
instruction.
fsigned) HAY.
ana the same day Mr.. Riddle was In
formed by the Russian minister for for
~Gn AFFAIR." that IN view Of the pubiica-
tons which had appeared In the news
papers the Russian government wished
70 notify him that the proposed petition
would not be received under and circnm-