The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-07-21
.CASSINI TALKS IF
 RUSSIAN AFFAIRS
Says He Knew KIshineff Peti-
 ton Would be Refused
MADE NO PROMISE TO HAY
Ambassador States That No Under standing Regarding Manchurian
 Ports Was Reached at the
 Washington Conference.

Paris. July 2O.-A representative of the Associated Press has had an interview with Count Casslni, the Russian Ambas- sador to the United States, who is here with his daughter spending part of his leave of absence in Paris, where he has an apartment near the Champs Elysee. He said:
 Tt is not correct as cabled, that I ar ranged with Secretary Hay before my departure the question of open ports in Manchuria. It is true that MT. Hay call ed on me June 2s, but it was friend ly visit and entirely unofficial. The Man churian ports were mentioned during our conversation but no definite arrangement was completed. The conversation was quite cordial courteous and friendly, but it did not go beyond that. I expect, how ever, that a mutually satisfactory un- derstanding regarding Manchurian ques- tions will eventually be reached between the two governments. But I repeat no such arrangement has been made by me. What has been done by the charge d'af- faires since my departure fourteen days ago. I don't know.
 Knew Petition Would Be Refused,
 Regarding the IsraeIite petition the United States government knew that such a petition would not be received. No such petition would be received by any independent state. The United States first of all would no consent to any for eign interference in It's domestic affairs. Beyond this, don't know anything about the matter. My relations with the United States government have always been pleasant and cordial during my long stay at Washington. My present absence from my post is due to the fact that 1 am taking a much needed holiday I did not see the president before my departure, as he was absent from Washington. I saw MT Hay. as stated. Our interview was not official but it was extremely pleas ant.
 "I expect to return to my post as soon as my leave expires, which will be in three months"
 Count Cassini will remain here ten days longer and then will go to St. Peters, burg.
 What Washington Thinks.
 Washington. July 20-In a conversation at the Russian embassy on the after noon of June 29 with the Associated Press representative, Count Cassini referred to the call of Secretary Hay on the day pre- vious and expressed his qualification at its results. The ambassador, in reply to the question as to whether Manchuria was under discussion during the call, re- piled in the affirmative, stating that he had assured MT. Hay that Russia would execute to the letter her pledges in Man churia and at the proper time would concede certain ports. The ambassador then recalled the conversation between himself and the secretary, pointing out that while no agreement had been ened, the broad understanding was ar- rived at that Russia should give to the United States what she had asked for.
 TO this, it was said, Secretary Hay ex- pressed his satisfaction, and as he was leaving Count Cassini said that he hoped announcement to the world what ports would be opened would be published in a few weeks. It Is believed here that the point the ambassador is endeavoring to make is that the general understanding reached between himself and Secretary Hay at the conference on June 2S did not specify the ports to be opened, which at that time had not been decided upon. Moreover, when the ambassador says no definite agreement had been reached it is assumed that he refers to the fact that no written exchanges passed between Sec- retary Hay and himself at that time.