The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-07-23
MAY HOLD 1T BACK
CONFERENCE HELD OVER JEW.
lSH PETITION.
Evident Intention of Russia TO run
1sh Perpetrators of Ktscheneff
Outrage Renders Presentation
Almost Snperfiuous--Confe
With Jewish Leaders.


conference was held during the day at
Sycamore Hill between the president
and representative Jewish citizens of
the socitey of B'nai Birth regarding
the petition to the Russian government
on the Kischinef outrages. Besides the
president the parties to the conference
we're Simon S. Wolf of Washington !;
Oscar S. Straus and Leo N. Levi, of
New York. The administration has
been EMBARRASSED by the delay of the
B'nai Birth society in presenting. the
petition.
A draft of the document was handed
to the president several weeks ago by
Mr.. Wolf, but it was decided after some
consideration to modify the text of the
petition before presenting it to formal
ly co this government for transmission
to Russia. Time was desired, too, to
obtaion to the petition the signatures
of representative citizens OF the United
States of all religious faiths. AS re-
suit the document was not placed in
the hands Of the president until yes
terady.
The result of the conference at Saga
more Hill has not yet been disclosed,
but strong intimation has been given
that the petition may not be forwarded
to the Russian government. The desire
of both the president and Secretary Hay
is that the Kischineff incident should
be closed as soon as possible, as further
delay in its consideration might prove
EN- barassing to this government in it's
diplomatic negotiations with Russia.
Inasmuch as the Russian government
has Indicated by the adoption of severe
measures genuine disposition to pun
ish adequately the perpetrators Of the
Kischinef murders and In addition
those who instigated them, it is prob
lem for the president and Secretary
Hay to solve whether representations
concerning the incident now are either
desirable or necessary.
1t is suggested that the whole matter
may be resolved into brief statement,
through diplomatic channels, to the
Russian foreign government that such
petition is in the hands of the United
States, thus leaving it to Russia to say
whether it would or would rot receive
the document if it were presented. 1t
would close the incident without sub
jecting the United States relations with
Russia to strain, and it is regarded it
would be quite as effective as the actual
presentation of the petition.
Secretary Root Leaves.
Secretary Root has left for Washing.
ton. He said he could not sail for Eng
land before the 23rd of August, because
it was desirable that he should see the
general staff in full operation before he
left the country.
Messrs. Wolf and Straus left for New
York at the conclusion of their confer
ence whit the president. Prior to their
departure they announced that, while
the conference had been eminently sat-
lsfactory, they were not in position
at this time to discuss the result of the
interview. While many citizens of
Jewish faith have signed the petition,
a majority of the signers are of other
beliefs. 1t is learned that statement
soon will be made by the state depart
ment at Washington, which will dis
close the steps taken and to be taken
by this government. but there are rea-
sons why publicity at this moment
should not be given to the. precise
method of procedure.