The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-06-26
PRESIDENT TOSENDITTOCZAR.
THE PETITION OF THE JEWS IN
RELATION TO KISHINEFF.

| THE PETITION OF THE VEW . IN
RELATION TO KISHINEFF.
II Appeals to Him to Put an End to Ne
hgious Persecution and to Anort
Protect to His jewish Subjects In
Their Persons, Property and Liberty
WASHINGTON, June 25-A great deal Of
surprise was caused In official circles wher
1t became known that President Roosevelt
had decided to send to the Russian Govern
ment the petition addressed to the Czal
which was handed to Mr. Roosevelt by the
committee Of the Bnai Birth and the United
Hebrew Congregations when they called
on him on June Is 10 make Representations
against the Kishineff massacre. This petit
ton reviewed the treatment OF the Jews
In Russia and asked the Car TO arneliorate
their condition. The Presidents decision
was made known by Secretary Hay In
letters dated yesterday to Leo N. Levi OF
New York, president Of the B'nai Birth,
and Simon Wolf Of Washington. repre-
senting the United Hebrew Congregations.
The letter to Mr.. Wolf follows
DEPARTMENT OF STATE.
WASHINGTON. d. c.. June "a, 1908
DEAR SIR: The President has concluded
TO transmit to the Russian Government the
petition OF which you presented him draft
| on the 18th Of this month. The matter which
| he had to consider most seriously was
whether or not such proceeding would be
to the advantage Of your prosecuted and
outraged coreligionists In Russia.
On this point he decided to accept your
opinion and those OF the numerous and in
telligent groups OF Americans citizens Of
the Jewish faith whom you represent. He
requests that you will send him the petition
In due form at your earliest convenience
or course. you will understand that the
President cannot tell you what reception
your petition will meet with at the hands
OF the Russian Government. lam sir, ia ith-
fully yours. JOHN HAY.
At the regular Cabinet meeting OH Tues
day the President informed his advisers
of his intention to send the Jewish petition
to the Gear. If the members OF the Cab
met were told not to mention the matter
letter. 1t was ascertained to-day. however,
that the Presidents decision created great
surprise In the Cabinet room. The feel
ing expressed by the Cabinet when the
subject was discussed previously was In
opposition to bringing to the attention Of
Russia in any official way the horror felt
in this country over the Kishineif affair
1t was the Cabinets opinion, or at least
the opinion Of a majority of the Cabinet,
that such course was the only proper
one to pursue under the general rule Of
international observance that no govern
ment has any warrant for interfering
in the purely domestic affairs Of another
Government.
The general understanding has been that
the President shared this view. and those
who are close to him believed that the pc
tition to the Car had been pigeonholed for
all time. II any one knows why the Presi-
dent changed his mind, granted that there
was such a change. he will not disclose the
reason. Secretary Hay was credited with
having been strenuously opposed to for
warding the petition, but Mr.. Hays loyalty
is so great that he now supports the Presi-
dents course.
While it cannot be 30 stated upon official
authority, it is currently reported that the
decision Of the President TO forward the
petition was due partly to Russias sup
posed attitude In the Manchurian affair.
That this Government believes that Russia
is doing everything possible to prevent
China from opening ports in Manchura
is pretty generally understood, and it Is
said that in deciding to send the Jewish
petition to the Car the President, as one
expressed il. is showing his teeth as a warm
ing to russia that he is not afraid of the
Great Bear and is perfectly willing to
brave that animals displeasure.
1t is expected that the petition will be
signed by representatives OF all the prin-
cipal Jewish organizations in the United
will Ea ahn,,
and in the meantime Secretary Hay will
Much will depend on this note II it fatty
calls on Russia to stop the ill-treatment Of
her Jewish subjects It may and probably
will cause great offence. r. on the con-
trary, 1t is of very polite character, and
contains expressions OF friendship and
offended and be willing to reply in similar
strain. But that the situation Is delicate
is recognized by everybody of consequence
in the Administration, with the possible
exception o. the .l.;1 President hs dsaSs,..,
sian Government by Mr.. Riddle, United
States Charge d'Afaires at st. Peters
burg. Mr.. Mccormick, the American Am
bassador to Russia, Ia In this country. The
text Of the petition follows:
TO His Imperial Majesty tho Gear:
and reprobation throughout the world.
Until your Majesty gave special and personal
direct ions the local authorities failed to main
tain order or suppress the riotinK.
The victims were Jews and the assault
was the result OF race and religious prejr-
dice. The rioters violated the laws OF
Russia The local officers were derelict in
the Performance OF their duty. The jews
we're the victims Of indefensible lawlessness
These facts are made plain by the ofnoiai
reports OF and by the official acts following
the riot.
lamty would be deplored without undue
fear OF recurrence But such Ia not the case
In the present instance. Your petitioners are
advised that millions Of Jews-Russian sub
jects-dwelling In southwestern Russia, are
in constant dread Of fresh outbreaks. They
fee! that ignorance. superstition and bigotry.
as exemplIfed BY the rioters. are ever ready
10 persecute them: that the local officials,
unless thereunto specially admonished, can
not be relied on as strenuous protectors Of
their peace and security: that public senti-
ment OF hostility has been engendered against
them and hangs over them az a continuing
Even II IT be conceded that these fears are
tionably true that they exist. that they are
not groundless and that they produce effects
OF great Importance.
The westward migration Of Russian Jews.
which has proceeded for over twenty years.
Is being stimulated by these fears. and al
ready that movement has become 40 great
as to overshadow In magnitude the expulsion
OF the jews from Spain and to rank with the
AYodua from ERyOt,