The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-06-27
.SLAV DIPLOMACY
And FALSEHOOD
Washington Officials Have Learned
Recently That the Two Terms
Are Synonymous.
Presidents Determination to For
ward the B'Nai Birth Petition
Merely a Feeler.
He Is Heartily Disguised With the
Russian Course in the Man
churian Affair.

New York Sun Special Service.
Chicago, June 27.--Walter Wellman In
Washington special to the Record-Her-
aid says:
The strained relations between the
United States and Russia formed the most
interesting topic of discussion at the last
meeting of the presidents council that Is
to be held for some time, as Mr.. sRoose-
welt left for Oyster Bay this morning.
That the relations between the two gov
ernments are now somewhat strained IS
an open secret, nor Is it denied that the
course which the Russian government has
pursued in regard to Manchuria Is more
or less involved In the action which our
government has decided upon in connec-
ton with the Kishinef affair.
The Russian government has a griev-
ance against the United States because
the president and Secretary Hay have de-
cided to transmit to the car the petition
of the American people for adequate pro-
lection Of the Jews In Russia. Russia re-
CARDS this an unWarranted interference
with her domestic affairs, tho all the pro-
liabilities are that at st. Petersburg they
will swallow their pride, receive the petit
tion, and return a polite and respectful
answer In self defense.
But this is not the most important mat
ter at issue between the two governments.
The complaint which the United States
has to make Of Russia, and which may
possibly lead to serious complications be-
tween the two nations, Is the systematic.
deliberate and continuous mendacity of
Russian diplomatists in their dealings with
the United States In regard to Manchuria-
Russian Diplomatic Mendaelty.
No government likes to be constantly
fed with lies, and the American govern
ment least Of all. American diplomacy
| is justly famed turnout the world for Its
candor and truthfulness. When our gov
eminent makes statement thru Its &C
! credited representatives at home or
abroad, trust may be placed therein. 1t is
not so with Russian diplomacy. One
| falsehood has followed another one bit of
attempted deception has crowded an
others heels, until the representations
which the Russian government makes at
| Washington have become by-word and
a subject Of joke and ridicule. But for the
serious phase Of the affair. it would be
comic.
The seriousness Of it lies in the fact
that the patience of our government Is
virtually exhausted. When confidence is
not only weakened, but wholly DESTROYED,
| in the intercourse between individuals
further relations are not likely to be of
! mutual advantage and might as well be
suspended Such Is the case between the
UNITED States and Russia.
| In the discussion at the cabinet meeting
it developed there was danger that the
Russian government may decide to decline
to receive the American petition or to per-
nit It to reach the car, to whom it is adj
dressed. 1t also developed that the Ameri-
can government Is quite Indifferent as to
the course Russia may determine upon.
If st. Petersburg wishes to decline to re-
ceive the petition the American govern
ment is prepared for whatever may follow.
No one dreams that hostilities could go
beyond the diplomatic stages, but the
temper of the American government Is
such that it carese little what reception
the petition may meet with. It feels we'll
assured that sincerity and frankness are
not to be expected from the other side, so
it does not much matter what the st.
Petersburg decision or reply may be.