The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-08
OUR POSITION ON KISHINEFF,
WILL TIE PRESIDENT CALI
RUSSIA TO ACCOUNT
Secretary Hay Advises Him That II Would
BE Contrary to Int crnatiOnal Practice,
hut 1t is Admitted That u Would
Greatly strengthen His Candidacy.

WASHINGTON, June 1T was generally
supposed in official circles that the President,
Immediately upon his return to Washington
from Swinging round the circle" would
decide the course to be pursued by the
Government in regard to the scores OF
appeals from many thousands OF American
citizens to denounce the Kishineff massacre.
But Mr.. Roosevelt was not ready to dispose
of a matter of such great Importance, in
volving possibly the loss OF the traditional
friendship between Russia and the United
States and embracing also the vital prin-
ciple of the right of one nation to interfere
IN the domestic affairs of another
That the President shares the feeling -
horror aroused in this country over the
killing of Jewish people 10y Russian mobs
was demonstrated at yesterdays special
Cabinet meeting, when in his characteristic
emphatic way he left no doubt as to his
views He showed, however, that he APP
preciated that the subject of action by this
Government was not to be determined
hastily.
Like his martyred predecessor in the
Presidential office, Mr. Roosevelt has fol-
lowed the guidance of Secretary Hay In
determining the course to be pursued upon
Mr.. Hays policies have been accepted
generally by Mr. Roosevelt WITH implicit
confidence in their wisdom 1t cannot
be asserted positively. however, that this
rule will hold good in the case of the Kishi-
nef horror. There are considerations in
yolved which may bring about action bY
the President that is not in accord with the
views of Mr. Hay, as indicated by his state
ment at yesterdays Cabinet session.
From what Mr.: Hay said It was to be
observance to be at variance with any
representations to Russia on the subject
Of the massacre and no was Impressed
with the idea that, wherever the prior iauit
NAV have been, the Russian authorities
We're making every effort to atone for the
wanton destruction of Jewish life and
The President will probably make known
the course he is to pursue ,mmediate'y
after the visit to he paid to hlm nus week week
by the committee appointed by the b Nal
Britt to lay before him the Jewish side OF
the kishinef slaughter and to ask that this
Government take some action to prevent
repetition of such outrages. That ths
President by addressing communication
to the Russian Government strongly con-
demning the Kishineff affair, will greatly
strengthen his own position as candidate
for a second term is generally scknowl-
edged here. But it is question o., whether
I'm the most influential official quarters
| the opinion is held that Russia has already
! been influenced 10y the great outbuTst OF
| popular indignation in the united states
| and rather than risk the loss of American
Friendship and the condemnation OF the
| civilized Christian world will invoke all
the means within her power to prevent
| a recurrence Of Jew batting.
Even granting that condemnation OF
Russia. or representa- ions addressed to her
! expressing horror over the WORK OF me
| Kishinef Christian rahble, would have the
| effect of securing greater degree OF pro.
| lection to the Bessarabian Jews. men OF
| high standing in the Government question
the wisdom of taking action that might
| have far-reachng results injurious TO the
| United States Such action, these men
hold, would not only be Unprecedented.
| but would open wide the door to foreign
| official criticism of domestic occurrences
that would incur the bitter resentment OF
| the American Government and people,
This week will probably determine how
! far M. Roosevelt is 10 he influenced by these
| considerations With his unconventional
| disregard for what has been done In the
| past il is asked will he fling precedent to
the winds to plead for suffering humanity
in Russia? Or will he conclude that con,
siderations of international importance VIII
not Justify Interference in the domestic
affairs of another nation?