The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-07-02
UNCLE SANS REPLY.
Russia's Bluff Regarding Jewish
Petition Is-CaIled.

Washington, July 2.-The position of
the administration regarding the pro-
posed transmission of the petition of the
Jewish citizens of the United States to
the Russian government was made very
clear and positive by a statement auth
orized by the state department last
night. This statement was inspired by
newspaper publication rejecting the at
titude of the Russian government in
the event of the presentation of such
petition through the medium of the
United States embassy al st. Peters
burg, which had been brought to the
attention of high officers of the govern
ment 1t was given very careful con-
sideratiOn both here and at Oyster Bay
before a decision was reached to make
any declaration regarding the matter.
The statement is as follows:
AT the state department it was stated
by high official in the absence of Sec
rotary Hay, that the delay in forward
ing the petition of the American citi
zens of the Jewish faith as to the i'll
treatment of their co-religionists in
Russia, was solely due to the delay in
furnishing the addresses to the state de-
partment by the petitioners The state
department would, of course. pay no
heed to any statement purporting to
emanate from the Russian government
unless such statement was made Off
cially in some form or other TO our gov
eminent.
THE state department has been espe-
cially careful to act only in accordance
with all requirements of official pro-
priety. but within the limits thus laid
down il will most certainly not hesitate
to give expression to the deep sympathy
felt, not only by the administration, but
by all the American people. for the I'M
fortunate Jews who have been the vic
Tins in the recent appalling massacres
and Outrages.
by another official. who disclaimed any
purpose to speak in his official capacity,
however, that it seemed somewhat
strange, to say the least, that the Rus
sian government should choose this par
ticular method of making a statement
70 the American people at the very time
when by methods which are certainly
the reverse of friendly to the United
States, it has sought to make China
join in breaking the phghted faith of all
the powers as to the open door in Man
churia, and has endeavored to bar our
people from access to the Manchurian
trade"
The above statement was shown to
Count Cassini, the Russian ambassador,
but he declined to make my statement.
Any reply to this statement must be
made under direct instructions from St.
Petersburg.
1t is realized. both at the state depart
ment and the Russian embassy that the
situation is extremely delicate.
.gSsStSt Day July - -<ACtloH bN tle Uni
ted States government in transmitting the
petition Of the citizens of this country of
the Jewish and Of other religious faiths
viii not be affected by the inspired an
nouncement of the Russian government.
given to the public today. It evidently is
the intention of the administration to for
ward the petition as soon as it is in readi-
ness. This rendered certain by a
statement made here tonight by an au-
thority which says:
The action of the administration in ref
erence to the outrages on the Russian
Jews would be wholly unaffected by any
newspaper publication purportng to ema-
nate from the Russian government. or by
any communication not properly forward
ed to the state department"
President Roosevelt declined to discuss
for publication the statement authorized
by the Russian government He said any
presentation OF the position of this gov
eminent ought properly to come from the
state department