The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1903-07-03
SlAV DIPLOMACY FALSEHOOD.
Washington Officials Learned Recently
Two Terms Are Synonymous.

Chicago, July 2.-Walter Wellman
in a Washington special to the Rec
Ord-Herald says:
The strained relations between the
United States and Russia formed the
most interesting topic of discussion
at the last meeting of the presidents
council that is to be held for some
time That the relations between the
two governments are now somewhat
strained is an open secret nor it is
denied that the course which the Rus
sian government has pursued in re-
gard to Manchuria is more or less in
vOlved in the action which our govern
ment has decided upon in connection
with the kishinef affair.
The Russian government has a
grievance against the United States
because the president and Secretary
Hay have decided to transmit to the
szar the petition of the American
people for adequate protection Of the
Jews in Russia. Russia regards this
an unWarranted interference with
her domestic affairs, though all the
probabilities are that at ST Peters
burg they will swallow their pride, re
ceive the petition, and return a pO-
lite and respectful answer in self
defense
But this is not the most important
matter at issue between the two gov
ernments. The complaint which the
United States has to make of Russia
and which may possibly lead 10 serious
complications between the two ma
lions, is the systematic, deliberate
and continuous mendacity of Russian
diplomats in their dealings with the
United States in regard TO Manchuria.
Russian Diplomatic Mendacity.
No government likes to be constant
ly fed with lies, and the American
government least OF all. American
diplomacy is justly famed through
out the world for its candOr and truth
fulneSS. When our government makes
statement through its accredited
representatives at home or abroad,
trust may be placed therein. 1t is not
so with Russian diplomacy. One
falsehoOd has followed another. one
bit of attempted deception has crowd
ed anothers heels, until the represen-
tations which the Russian govern
ment makes at Washington have be
come by-wOrd and a subject of joke
and ridicule. But for the serious
phase Of the affair, it would be comic.
The seriousness of it lies in the
fact that the patience of our govern
ment is virtually exhausted When
confidence is not only weakened, but
wholly destroyed. in the intercourse
between individuals further relations
are not likely to be of mutual advan-
tage and might as we'll be suspended. |
Such is the case between the United
States and Russia.
In the discussion at the cabinet |
it developed there was danger |
that the Russian government may de |
eide to decline to receive the Ameri- |
can petition or to permit it to reach !
the car, to whom it is addressed. 1t |
also developed that the American |
is quite Indifferent as to |
the course Russia may determine |
upon. If st. Petersburg wishes to |
decline to receive the petition the !
government is prepared for
whatever may follow.
No one dreams that hOstilities |
could go beyond the diplomatic stages
but the temper of the American gov
eminent is such that it cares little
what reception the petition may meet
with. 1t feels we'll assured that sin
cerlty and frankness are not to be
expected from the other side, so it /
does not much matter what the St. !
petersburg decision or reply may be, |