The Press., 1903-07-09
WASHINGTON LETTER.

s washington, July 6, 1903.
The most interesting development of
the past week has been the tsemi-official"
statement of Russia regarding the pro-
posed petition which the president has
agreed to forward to the czar. At the
earnest solicitation of the executive COM
mittee of the B'nai Birth Mr.. Roosevelt,
after protesting that the United States
could make no diplomatic representation
to Russia regarding the Kishenev mas
sacre, finally agreed to forward to the
czar petition appealing for special con-
sideration for the Russian Jews, a draft
of which had been submitted to him and
to Secretary Hay. Russian officials then
caused to be given to the associated press
''semi- -Official' statement to the effect
that Russia could not receive such Pc
tition, nor permit any notice to be taken
by foreign government of Russian in
ternal affairs.
On receipt of this statement the state
department issued a carefully prepared
announcement. 1t was to the effect that
the United States could not recognize any
''semi- official" statement; that the petit
tion, In the absence of an official request
from Russia, would be forwarded as
soon as 1t was received in Washington.
The most significant part of this state
ment came from IAN Official" who an
nounced that he was not speaking in an
official capacity. He said that ''it seemed
somewhat strange, to say the least, that
the Russian government should choose
this method of making a statement to the
American people at the very time when,
| by methods which are certainly the re.
verse of friendly to the United States, II
has sought to make China join In break.
ing the plighted faith of all the powers as
to the open door In Manchulia, and has
endeavored to bar our people from the
Manchurian trade"
The significance of the last statement
Is construed to mean that the United
States proposes, almost as a means ot
punishment to Russia, because of hel
breaking faith In Manchuria, to send the
petition. II 1t is refused, copies will un
doubtedly be furnished to the European
powers, and the announcement will be
made that Russia has refused to enter
tain the petition, move most offensive
to Russia because of her repugnance tc
being held up to the world as semi
barbaric nation. II, however, Russis
should reconsider it's action In time, the
United States will doubtless think better
of Its intention of forwarding any com
municatiOn regarding the Kishenev affair
The situation Is peculiarly interesting be.
cause of that In Europe. Great Britain
is, as usual, far from friendly with Rus.
sia because of the latter's encroachments
In India, notably In Persia, and her threat
ened invasion OF Arabia. France, Rus
sia's closest ally, is seeking by every pos
sible means to cultivate the friendship o
the United States, and would be loath tc
choose between the two countries. Ger
many, never warmly attached to Russia
has recently given ample proof of her de
sire for the friendship of this country
Under the circumstances Russia's mex
move Is awaited with the keenest interest
| Apropos of Frances desire to cultivate
the friendship of the United States anC
her determination not to re outdone II
this direction by Germany, 1t Is worth!
Of note that the French ambassador post
poned his departure from Washington To-
the summer in order that he might deliv
er the oration of the day In Washington
on the Fourth Of July. With the hop