The Washington times., 1903-07-17
The Nuscobfte Gobemmeni
Would Not Hear Repre-
SentafionS Of B'naf Birth
'UnderAny Circumstances.
Department Hopes KisbineV
Massacre Is NoqV a Dead
Issue Significant Conflict
in Dates as to Manchuria.

Despite official refusal of the Russian
government to receive the petition from
America. called forth by the recent
massacre OF the Jews as Kishinev, # Is
nevertheless a fact that copy Of that
petition has been read to the Russian
minister of foreign affairs and now re-
poses in the archives of his Office.
This was accomplished by instructins
Charge Riddle to read TO the Russian
minister OF foreign affairs. a communi-
cation relating to the condition of the
Jews in Russia. and running as follows. -
The petition itself then followed in full
with the exception OF the signatures.
Today's announcement by the State
Department is as follows:
The Russian government has declined
to receive or to consider the petition In
relation to the condition Of Jews in
Russia. signed by several thousand citi-
zens and cabled to ST. Petersburg by
direction of the President.
'At the conference on Tuesday. July
II. at Oyster Bay. the President con-
ferred with Messrs. Levi, Wolf, AMI
Straus, In regard to the presentation OF
the petition, and decided to send the
following dispatch to Mr. Riddle, the
American charge d'affaires at St. Peters
burg:
Instructions to Riddle.
You are Instructed to ask an aadi-
enOe OF the minister Of foreign affairs.
and to make TO him the following com
munication:
"Excenency: The Secretary OF
State instructs me to inform you that
the President has received from large
number OF citizens Of the United States
of all religious Affiliations, and occupy
ing the highest positions in both public
and private life, respectful petition
addressed to his majesty. the Emperor
relating to the condition Of the Jews II
Russia.
"'"I am instructed TO ask whether
the petition will be received by your
excellency. TO be submitted TO the gra
cious consideration Of his majesty. II
that case the petition viii be at once
forwarded to st. Petersburg"
"'You will report at the earliest pos
sible moment your execution OF this in.
structiOn. HAY"
The statement continues as follows:
The Russian Refusal.
This was sen. on the 18th Of July
and on the same day Mr.. Riddle was in
formed by the Russian minister o
foreign affairs that. in view Of publica
tions which had appeared In the news
papers. the Russian government wishes
10 notify him that the proposed petitiol
would not be received under any cir
cumstances and that this resolution o
the Russian government was taken in
dependent OF any consideration Of tn
substance or the terms OF the petition
"On the receipt Of this Information tn,
Secretary OF state addressed the follow
ing letter 10 Messrs. straus. Wolf. an
Levi:
Sir: ! am directed by the Presideh
TO acqraint you that this department s.
Informed by the American embassy =
St. Petersburg that the imperial govern
ment OF Russia has declined to recoiv
or consider the petition in relation {,
the condition OF the Jews in Russsi;
which was addressed TO his majesty, tn,
Emperor. by a large number Of citizen
of the United States. and which thi
department. by direction OF the Presl
dent and at your request. undertook 4
transmit 10 its high destination.
am, sir, very respectfully yours,
JOHN HAY
Many Notable Signatures.
1T is believed that this petition wa,
almost unexampled IN the weight an.
dignity OF the signatures attached {,
IT, Among them are:
Andrew y. White and Clifton 3