Wadsworth semi-weekly dispatch. [volume] (Wadsworth, Nev.) 1899-1904, 1903-07-10
WASHINGTON LETTER
Washington. D. c.. July 6, 'o3.
From our regular correspondent

statement OF Russia regarding the pro-
posed petition which the President has
agreed to forward to the Gar. At the
earnest solicitation Of the B'nai Birth,
Mr.. Roosevelt, after protesting that
the United States could make no dip
lomatic representation to Russia re-
garding the Kishenev massacre, finally
agreed to forward to the Gar a petit
ton appealing for special consideration
for the Russian Jews, a draft Of which
had been forwarded to him and to
Secretary Hay. Russian officials then
caused to be given to the Associated
Press q 'semi-official" statement to
the effect that Russia could not receive
such a petition, nor permit any notice
to be taken by a foreign government of
Russian internal affairs.
On receipt OF this statement the
State Department issued a carefully
prepared announcement. 1t was to the
effect that the United States could
not recognize any "semi official state
ment; that the petition, in the absence
OF an official protest from Russia.
would be forwarded as soon as it
reached Washington. The most sig
nificant part of this statement came
from ian official" who announced that
he was not speaking in an official ca
pacity. He said that lit seemed
somewhat strange. to say the least,
that the Russian government should
choose this method Of making a state
ment to the American people at the
very time when, by methods which are
certainly the reverse of friendly
TO the United States, it has sought to
make China join in breaking the plight
ed faith of all the powers as TO the
open door in Manchuria and has en-
deavored to bar people from the Man
churian trade,
The significance Of the last state
ment is construed to mean that the
United States proposes, almost as a
means of punishment to Russia, be-
cause of her breaking faith in Man
churia, to send the petition. If it is
refused, copies will undoubtedly be
furnished to the European powers and
the announcement will be made that
Russia has refused to entertain the
petition, a move most offensive to
Russia because of her repugnance to
being held up to the world as a semi
barbaric nation. II. however, Russia
should reconsider its action in China,
the United States will doubtless think
better Of its intention Of forwarding any
communication regarding the Kishenev
affair. Great Britain is, as usual, far
from friendly with Russia because Of
the latter's encroachments in India
notably in Persia, and her threatened
invasion OF Arabia. France, Russia's
closest alley. is seeking by every pos
sible means to cultivate the friendship
Of the United States. and would be
loath TO choose between the two coun-
tries. Germany. never warmly attached
to Russia. has recently given ample
proof at her desire for the friendship Of
this country. Under the circumstan-
ces Russia's next move is awaited with
the keenest interest.
Apropos Of frances desire to cul-
tivate the friendship Of the United
States, and her determination not to
be outdone in this direction by Ger
many. it is worthy Of Eete that the
French Ambassador postponed his de-
parture from Washington for the sum-
mer in order that he might deliver the
grafton Of the day in Washington on
the 4th Of July. With the hope of OBJ
Waiting the many casualties usually
incident to the 4th, the authorities in
Washington determined TO hold Ian
old fashioned 4th Of July celebration"