The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-06-30

Washington. June 25.-The president
has decided 10 transmit to the Russian
government the petition presented 70
him by the executive council OF the
B'Nai BIRTH regarding treatment OF
Jews in Russia.
This action has been aiken after ma
ture consideration. At first it was de-
cided that the petition should not De
presented. because it might be resented
nv the government of Russia and lead
TO a response that would cause a break
in the relations of the two countries.
However. the first conclusion has been
reconsidered and by direction of the
president. the petition will now go Tor
ward. What the result will be is PROP
lematical. AS indicated in the follow
5ne note from Secretary Hay to Simon
Wolf the presentation probably will be
made 10 the Russian government
through the United States embassy at
St. Petersburg. The note reads:
Department of State,
"Washington D. c., June a.
..Dear Sir: The president has con-
Guided to transmit to the Russian gov
ernrent the petition, of which you pre-
scented him a draft, on the htteenth OF
this month.
1.-The matter which n had TO consider
most seriously was whether or not such
a proceeding would be TO the advantage
of vour prosecuted and outraged CO.
T~eligionists in Russia. On this point he
has decided to accept your opinion and
that of the numerous and inteNge<t
gronps of American citizens of the Jew
ish faith whom you represent. he re-
quests that you will send him the petit
tiOn in due form at our earliest con-
yenience. OF course you Will under
stand that the president cannot tell you
what reception your petition Will meet
with at the hands of the Russian gov
eminent.
Il am. Sir, Faithfully yours,
1Signedl JOHN HAY.
"Hon. simon Wolfe, Washington, II. e..
The petition which will be transmitted
TO the Russian government IS the one
which the executive cOunci OF the Maj
Birth handed to the president as a
tentative document to be signed by
leading citizens of the United states
outside of federal office holders. 1t IS
expected that it Will take about two
weeks 10 secure these signatures, work
along that line already being in prog
ress.
Upon learning that the government
of the United States had decided TO
forward the petition to the Russian
RIM Count Cassini went 10 the
state department. and consulted with
Secretary Hay.
The call OF the ambassador pom Sec
retary HAY was shorter than usual but
it developed officially the fact that the
government Of the United states IN
tended 10 forward the ewiSh petition
to the ear { il is possible to do 80. At
the White House conference on the 10Th
instant the Jews had made the point
that the ear was kept from a knowI-
edge of the truth as - the condition OF
the Jews in his empire by the bureau
Gratis who hedged him about on all
sides. and they We're sure that II the
president would only once assist them
in laying their case before the car
himself. n would at once adopt meas
ureS - alleviate the condition. Inc
president at that hearing promised TO
do what he could. II was II once per
ceiveG tina 70 do what was asked IN
vOIved the danger OF = short reply ana
a disposition developed 10 regard the
full publicity which had been given TO
the white house conference as sutti-
cient - meet The needs OF the case. Tor
it was assumed that the ear could not
fail TO see some IF the newspaper COM
ments and reports upon this subject.
The Jews. however. We're not satisfied
with this passive attitude and the pres