Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-06-26
OPINIONS DIFFER
OF RUSSIA REGARDING
RECEPTION OF PETITdoN.
Position Stated in a Recent PubGca-
tion-Effect on International
Relations.

There is considerable difference of opinion
in regard to the probable reception by, the
Russian government of the Jewish petition
which the President has promised to for
ward to st. Petersburg. 1t Is expected that
the petition will be signed by the represent
tatives of all the principal Jewish organiza-
tions In the United States, and be placed
in the hands of the Secretary OF State with
in the next few weeks. 1t will be forward
ed in the regular way to Mr.. Riddle, United
States charge d'affaires at st. Petersburg.
with instructions to present 1t to the proper
representative Of the Russian government.
with a view to it's reaching the eye Of the
car. Secretary Hay will undoubtedly pre-
pare a letter Of transmittal and will en-
deavor to phrase 1t so as to avoid any pos
sible offense to the sensibilities of the Rus
sian authorities.
The Russian Position.
There have been limitations from various
sources that the car will never be per-
mitted to see the petition, and that the
Russian prime minister will not even re-
ceive 1t for transmission to him. 1t is
stated that the Russian position on that
point was described in the inspired state
ment given to the press at Washington
June 0. in which it was said:
Nor will 1t be possible for Russia to re-
ceive any representations regarding the
Kishineff incident from a foreign power.
The Russian government takes the same
position as that long held by the American
government. namely. that it refrains from
Interference in the internal affairs of an
other power, and must insist on similar
treatment for ITSELF.
If there Is to be refusal on the part of
the Russian government to receive the Jew
iSh petition, then Mr.. Riddle, the United
States charge of embassy at ST. Petersburg.
will be the first representative of the
United States to receive the snub, for the
ambassador Mr.. Mccormick. has not yet
returned to his post from.-his visit to this
country, and 1t is entirely possible that
what may happen at St. Petersburg may
delay the ambassadors return to St Peters,
burg indefinitely. OF course IN such case
Count Cassini, who Is sailing from New
York next Wednesday for Russia, might
make correspondingly long stay at home.
Upon the departure Of Count Casstni,
Theodore Hansen, the first secretary OF the
embassy, will act as charge d affaires He
will remain here until the latter part Of
July, when the embassy will be temper
arily established at Bar Harbor, Me. Count
Cassni's present plans contemplate re-
turn to the United States in September
Although 1t is possible that the friendly
relations between the governments of Rus
STA and the United States may be strained
to a greater or less degree by President
Roosevelts action in the Kishineff affair,
1t Is the belief Of many prominent diplo-
mats that such a result Is extremely i'm
probable There are only a few who con-
slider that diplomatic relations between the
two governments are likely to be severed
ton to the Russian government in response
to the request Of large number of Ameri-
can citizens.
Russia's Probable Action.