New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-01
PRESENT PETITION.
Memorial ReceiCcd By
Secretary Hay.
ITS TONE HIGHLY COMMENDED.

Washington oct sl-The last chapter in the
history OF the agitation at least for the present.
resulting from the Kishnen massacre was writ
ten to-day when Simon Wolf. Of this city, repre-
senting the executive committee of the B'nai
Birth, called by appointment at the State De-
partment and presented TO Secretary Hay the pc
tion which has been in circulation throughout the
United States for several months, directed to the
Car. and which the Russian Government declined
20 receive.
The text of the petition has already been pub
lshed. and attached TO IT when presented to-day
the signatures Of fifty thousand representa-
tive Americans Of all creeds. The document was
handsomely bound together and Enclosed in
mahogany casket about two by three feet square.
On the cover was silver plate bearing this in
scription:
Petition TO the Emperor Of Russia by citizens OF
massacre of Jews at Kishinef Bessarabia- 1875.
Deposited for Transmission by the Independents
Order OF B'nsi Birth.
Immediately after receiving the casket Secretary
Hay caused ii TO be forwarded to the White House
for the inspection of President Roosevelt 1t was
then returned 10 the State Department and placed
in the custody OF Andrew Allen. Chief Of the Bureau
OF Rolls and Library. and it will be permanently
retained for the benefit OF the historian.
Mr. Wolf delivered the following letter with the
petition:
Hon. John Hay. Secretary Of state ash ing
dent the loose sheets OF the so-called "Kishineff
petiton' were denvered 10 him to be transmitted
90 81 own State Department as subsequent develop
ments might determine Al me same rli,,e Iie
President intrusted 20 the executive conInlItee OF
the indenandent Order OF B'nai Birth the custody
Of the loose sheets with permission 10 have them
~ q, s,iitsbe voJne The COMMITTEES has per
formed the duty thus imposed. and which it wei;
be 5eivered to You along with this communication
10y the Hon. Simon VOL. member OF the com
For all time to come it will testify to the love of
President countfn s r5 and its sig ssn9T So to
father II II stahos as 5aniaI 90 Teligious liberty
ana unfolding the President on asserting that con-
demnaton II it be wjih9u1 nd Si%zstiou made
? distinct and notable advance when great nation
Of eigbty millions OF people. speaking not only
through its Official head but also through its most
representative citizens IN their inol.auai Cap are
made to suffer martyrdom for conscience, sake
wherever they may abide, have friends ana sym,
psthizers in this country. oucM J 49, Ste 1amse
be lost. The oppresser VIII neIeaIteI p sS
utter despair by the consciousness that the voice
Of humanity will be raised in ms nehalt: tho r9-,
dent his advisers and the people generally are not
70 I pe I This IS one of the oft recurring cases
in which the Jews by their msfortunes, have led
Which they are the devoted missionaries.
foS ,ber pf' tSanksgying because the President
and YOU and the entire American people nav GUAM
IMITATION has been excited and in this country the
people are proud Of the courageous humanity
X The gratitude. admiration and pride which pre-
hans than others. tecause we 50 well know that the
President from the beginning governed solely
by the desire benefit the suffering jews ana
that every step taken had that object in view
l. delivering the petition into your hafids' We
record Of our profoundly grateful appreciation
an S''' 'ei' LEO y. LEVI,
President Of the executive committee of the
l. o. B. E.
Secretary Hay replied to Mr.. Lewis letter as
follows:
Department OF State. Washington, Oct. q, 1903
Leo y Levi. Esq. President OF the Executive
Committee OF the Independent Order or b nal
Birth. New-Eork.
NJ Dear Sir: l have received at the hands Of
The Hon. Simon Wolf your letter Of October d
He has also delivered to me the bound copy of the
KishineI petition II gives me pleasure 10 accept
The charge OF this important and significant docu-
roent and 10 assign il n place in the archives or
the Department OF State.
Although this copy Of your petition did not reach
the high destination -hiclf il intended its
found a Judgement in many thousands of minds
This petition will be always memorable. not only
for what contains, but also Tor the NUMBER ana
weight OF the signatures attached to II. embracing
Of the most prominent names OF our geIer-
alton Of renowned for intelligence. philan-
thropy and public spirit. In future, when the
Students Of history come TO peruse this document.
profound indignation BIZ intoeraale wrongs perpe-
trated the innocent ana helpless, should have
expressed IN enselyeS in language so earnest and
eloquent and vet diEniiled, moderate and so
decorous II is 8 valuable addition 10 public liter
AZURE. and viii be saCreclv cherished among the
treasures OF this department | sir. very re-
specially yours, JOHN HAY.