Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-15
TO SECURE REFORM
Appeal of :B'nasii Birth to the
President !
THE JEWS IN RUSSIA
t.-.-l
HOPE FOR INTERcEss1oN WITH
THE GEAR.
Eminently Satisfactory Interview
Matter to Be Left in the Hands
Of the Chief Executive.
The JEWS IN RUSSIA

The executive committee OF the Inde-
pendent Order Of the B'nai Birth today
waited on the President and Secretary Hay
and made representations to them regard
ing the massacre of the Jews at Kishinef
and the treatment Of Jews in Russia gen.
orally. By appointment at half-past 10 this
morning the executive council OF the B'nai
Birth called at the State Department. 1t
consisted of Leo N. Levi. president, OF New
York; Jacob Furth. vice president and
treasurer. of Cleveland; Solomon Sulzber-
ger, honorary secretary, New York; Joseph
D. Coons Of Wilkesbarre, Pa: Adolph
Moses, Chicago, and Simon Wolf OF this
city.
Secretary Hay received the council In the
diplomatic room. and spent full three-quar-
ters of an hour listening to their represen-
tations and commenting upon them. Then
the Secretary escorted his callers to the
White House. where they were received by
President Roosevelt and again set out their
views and listened to what he had to say
In reply.
White House Conference.
Just exactly what took place was not
announced by any one, an agreement hav-
ing been reached that the facts as to the
interview, including the represents tons OF
the committee and the replies Of the Pres
ident and Secretary Hay. would be given
out at the White House this afternoon or
tonight.
Secretary Hay was present during the
discussion, which lasted forty minutes, and
himself gave his views to the committee as
70 the accessibility of presenting to Rus
STA the concern felt by this country as to
the SAFETY of life of Jews in that country.
AT the conclusion Of the interview 1t was.
at the request of the President, determined
tnat the committee should present Its en-
md khck kI1ln
with the Presidents response, would be
given to the press at the same time
Inc interviews with both the President
anu secretary were extremely satisfactory
70 the council. although 1t soon became ap-
parent that positive action could not i'm
meoiately be had upon the subjects near
est 20 them. namely. the betterment of the
conditions of the Jews in Russia
The massacre at Kishiner was the prin-
cipai topic of discussion. But the Jews
realized after hearing what the Presf-
oent and Secretary Hay had to say that
that was all behind them. and that there
at this moment to undo what had been
done in Bessarabia. 4
Intercession With the Gear.
So. looking to the future. the council be-
sought the President toiuse his good offices
10 secure the ear Of the 4czar. They declar-
ed that he was Being deliberately kept in
~ eA0 OuISduCIdIS VINO sur
rounded him of the terrible treatment that
was being melted; out to the Jews in every
corner OF Russia where they were allowed
70 abide They expressed conviction that
II the car, who~may be felt to be a Just
ana humane man. knew of the indignities
ana atrocities practiced upon the unfortu-
nate Jews who werS still his loyal sub
1ects he would certainly take steps to al
leyiate their condition. y -
They said nothing about the refusal of
n
recognize Jewish passports, nor did thew
ask the aid OF the government in the dis
trlbution of the funds intended for the
relief OF the Kishinef sufferers
The President and Secretary listened
with the deepest interest and sympathy to
these representations. and both replied in
terms that showed the depth Of their feel
Ing in the matter. 1t was promised that
everything that the executive could prop
erly do without violating the principles Of
international comfy would be done. but
neither President Roosevelt nor Secretary
Hay was able to make any definite prom
ise beyond that.
After the interview with the President
Mr.. Simon Wolf said:
I'VE have had an important and very
satisfactory interview with the President
While committing himself to no line Of
action, he has promised to take our repre-
sensations under careful consideration and
we are willing to leave the matter in his
hands,
Attitude Of Former Presidents.
After the B'nai Birth committee had
conferred with the President he saw Rep
resentative Goldfogle of New York, who
has made engagements for representative
of various Jewish organizations throughout
the country to call upon the President be-
tween now and next week to make further
presentations as to the Kishineff massacres
The grand masters of the following organ
izations will be here to see the President:
The Free Sons of Israel. having a member
ship of 10000; the Order of B rith Abraham,
having a membership of $4,000; the Inde-
pendent Order of Birth Abraham, having
a membership of 10000
The papers to be presented to the Presi-
dent by the three organizations named,
together with those from other organiza-
tons, will contain references to the ac-
ton of both President Arthur and President
Harrison.