The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-06-26
ROOSEVELT WILL
GRANT THEIR PLEA
Transmit the Jews Complaint
to the Gar.
WILL NICHOLAS SEE IT2
Il is Strongly lntmated That the Russian Prime
Minister viii Refuse TO Receive the
Document for Trans
WILL NICHOLAS SEE IT2

(By the Associated Press

10y tLe ASSOCidleQ GFeSS.J
Washington, June 25.-The President
has decided to transmit to the Russian
government the petition presented to him
by the Executive counsel of the B'Nai
Birth regarding treatment of Jews in
Russia
This action has been taken after mature
consideration. At first it was decided that
the petition should not be presented be-
cause it might be resented by the govern
ment of Russia and lead to a response
that would cause break in the rela-
tions OF the two countries. However, the
first conclusion has been reconsidered by
direction of the President the petition will
now go forward. What the result will be
is problematic. 1t is indicated in the fol-
lowing note from Secretary Hay to Simon
Wolfe, the presentation probably will be
made to the Russian government through
the United States charge at st. Peters
burg. The note reads:
Department of State, Washington, d. G.,
June "a, 1903.
Dear Sir:-The President has concud-
ed to transmit to the Russian government
the petition of which you presented him
The matter which he had to consider most
seriously was whether or not such a pro-
ceeding would be to the advantage of
your prosecuted and outraged co-religion-
lists in Russia. On TINS point he has de-
cided to accept your opinion and that of
the numerous and intelligent groups Of
American citizens of the Jewish faith
whom you represent. He requests that
you viii send him the petition in due
form at your earliest convenience. OF
course you Ill understand that the Presi-
dent cannot tell you what reception your
petition will meet with at the hands OF
the Russian government.
II am, Sir, faithfully yours,
(Signed) "JOHN HAY.
Hon Simon Wolfe, Washington, D. c."
The petition which will be transmitted
to the Russian Government is the one
which the executive council of the B'Nai
Birth handed to the President as a ten
tative 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 to secure
these signatures. work along that line
already being in progress.
Upon learning that the government OF
the United States had decided to forward
the petition to the Russian government.
Count Cassini went to the State Depart
ment and consulted with Secretary Hay
The call of the Ambassador upon Sec
retary Hay was shorter than usual but
it developed officially the fact that the
government of the United States intended
to forward the Jewish petition to the Car
if it is possible to do so. At the White
House conference on the 18th instant the
Jews had made the point that the Car
was kept from a knowledge of the truth
as to the condition of the Jews in his en-
pire by the bureaucrats, who hedged him
about on all Sides and they were sure
that if the President would only once as
sist them in laying their case before the
Gar himself he would at once adopt
measures to alleviate their condition. The
President at the hearing promised to do
what he could.
1t was at once perceived that to do what
was asked involved the danger of a short
reply and disposition developed to re-
gard the full publicity which had been
given to the White House conference as
sufficient to meet the needs of the case
for it was assumed that the Czar could
not fail to see some of the newspaper COM
ments and reports upon this subject
The Jews, however, We're not satisfied
with this passive attitude and the Presi-
dent decided to adopt the bold course of
sending the petition directly to the Car
through the United States Embassy at St
Petersburg. Officially, it is expected that
this will be received. but privately it may
be stated that there have been no lack Of
from informed sources that
the Car will never be permitted to see
the petition as the Russian Prime Min
ister will not receive it for Transmission.
In fact, it is realized that the Russian po
sition is still correctly described in the
telegraphed from Washington
on June 9th by the Associated Press from
which this extract is taken;
'Nor will it be possible for Russia to re-
'eive any representations regarding the
Klshnieff incident from a foreign power.
rhe Russian government takes the same
position as that long held by the Ameri-
AN government, namely, that it refrains
rom interference in the internal affairs
If another power and must insist on sim
lar treatment for itself"
If there is to be a refusal on the mart
If the Russian government to receive the
Jewish petition, then upon Mr.. Riddle,
he United States Charge of Embassy at
It. Petersburg will fall the modification,
or the Ambassador, Mr.. Mccormick has
lot yet returned to his post from his
TASTY visit to Chicago and it is entirely
possible that what happens at st. Peters
'urg when Mr.. Riddle undertakes his dis
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