The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-06-26
DANGER OF 4 SERIOUS
 BREAK IN RELATIONS
It Is Believed That Russian Minister Will Not Allow Document to Reach the czar and U. s. Ambassador
 Will Be Embarrassed.

has decided to transmit to the Russian government the petition presented to him by the executive council Of the BNai B'Rith regarding the treatment of Jews in Russia.
 This action has been taken after mature consideration. At first it was decided that the petition should not be presented because 1t might be resented by the gov ernment of Russia and lead to response that would cause break in the relations of the two countries However the first conclusion has been reconsidered, and by direction of the President the petition will now go forward. What the result will be Is problematical Indications from the following note from Secretary Hay to Simon Wolf, the presentation probably will be made to the Russian government through the United States charge at St. Petersburg. This reads
 June 24 1903.
 ''Department of State, Washington.
 Dear Sir-The President has concluded to transmit to the Russian government the petition of which you presented him B draft on the 18th of this month. The matter which he had to consider most seriously was whether or not such pro ceeding would be to the advantage of your persecuted and outraged co-religionists In Russia. On this point he has decided to accept your opinion and that of the numerous intelligent groups of American citizens of Jewish faith whom you repre- sent. He requests that you will send him the petition in due form at your earliest convenience. Of course, you will understand that the President cannot tell you what reception your petition Will Z meet at the hands of the Russian gov ernment.
 T am, sir, faithfully yours,
 JOHN HAY.
 "Hon. simon Wolf. Washington, D. C."
 Petition of B'nal Birth.
 The petition which will be transmitted to the Russian government is the one which the executive council of the B Mai BRith handed to the president as tent ative document to be signed by leading citizens of the United tSates, outside Of the federal office holders. It is expected that 1t will take about two weeks to se- cure these signatures, work along that line already being in progress.
 JJpon learning that the government of the United States had decided to forward the petition to the Russion government, Count Cassini went to the state depart ment and consulted with Secretary Hay. The call of the ambassador upon Secre- tary Hay was shorter than usual. but 1t developed officially the fact that the gov ernment of the United States intended to forward the Jewish petition to the Czar If 1t is possible to do so At the white house conference on the 18th inst. the Jews had made the point that the Czar was kept from a knowledge of the truth as to the condition of the Jews In his em- pire by the bureaucrats, who were beseig- ed on all sides, and he was sure that if the president would only assist them in laying their case before the Czar himself, he would at once adopt measures to alle- viate their condition. The president at that hearing promised to do what he could.
 Danger of Sharp Reply.
 It was at once perceived that to do what was asked involved the danger of sharp reply, end a disposition developed to regard the full publicity which had heen given to the White House confer ence as sufficient to meet the needs of the case. for it was assumed that the czar could not fail to see some of the newspaper comments and reports upon this subject The Jews. however were not satisfied with this passive attitude. and the President decided to adopt the bold course of sending their petition di- rectly to the czar through the United States embassy at St. Petersburg. Off, fcially it is expected that this will be received, but privately it may be stated that the czar will never be permitted to see the petition, as the Russian prime minister will not receive 1t for transmits zion. In fact 1t is realized that the Rus sian position is still correctly described In the statement as received in Washing ton on June by the Associated Press l. fo1r
 "Nor will 1t be possible for Russia to receive any representations in regard to the Kishineff incident from a foreign power. The Russian government takes the same position as that long held by this government. namely, that it refrains from interference in the internal affairs of an- other power and must insist on similar treatment for itself"
 Hard on MT. Riddle.
 If there is to be a refusal on the part of the Russian government to receive the Jewish petition. then upon Mir Riddle, the United States charge of embassy at St. Petersburg, will fall the modification, for Ambassador Mccormick has not yet returned to his post from his nasty visit to Chicago and 1t is entirely possible that what happens at St. Petersburg when Mir Riddle undertakes his disagreeable task may delay the ambassadors return to St. Petersburg indefinitely Of course fin such a case, Count Cassini. who is sail ing a week from today for Russia, might make a correspondingly long stay at home
 Upon the departure of Count Cassini, Theo Hansen the first secretary of the embassy, will act as charge d affaires. He will remain here until the latter part of July when the embassy will be tempo rarily established at Bar Harbor, Maine. Count Cassini's summer plans contem- plated return to the United States in