Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-02
BLAMES THE PRESS
Count CaSsini Holds News
papers Responsible.
HOSTILITY TO RUSSIA
80 -hr.- 90
DISAPPOINTED AT UNFRIEND-
Illness MANIFESTED.
Explains Why His Country Did Not
Observe It's Pledge to Abandon
Manchuria Last October.

At an important conference, lasting more
than an hour. between Secretary Hay and
Count Cassini, the Russian ambassador,
yesterday afternoon, the growing i'll feel
ing in Russia against Americans and the
continued attacks of certain parts of the
American press against Russia were dis
cussed.
Count Cassini also informally inquired
about the ep1rt that the Commercial Cable
Company had applied for landing privileges
at Guam for a cable from that island to
Japan. He was assured by Mr.. Hay that
this government at present was consider
ing no such application. The ambassador
did not give any intimation as to what the
attitude of his government would be In this
matter.
Dispatches from st. Petersburg, however,
have stated that the Russian government
would view askance the granting of such
privileges by this government during the
present war.
Unfriendliness Of the Press.
Count Cassini said that the Russian peo-
pie long since had learned to regard the
people of this country as their fast friends,
and that it had been bitter disappoint-
ment to them to find American newspapers
attacking the Russian government, the
Russian people and Russian policies. He
said the first feeling of his people had been
one of painful surprise, but that this is now
crystallizing into deplorable feeling Of
unfriendliness.
THE tone of Russian newspapers" the
ambassador is quoted saying, "a conse-
quence of the one of many newspapers, is
beginning to take a very painful direction
in their references to the United States,
and, in my. opinion. 1t is in the interests Of
both countries that some measures shall be
taken to check this beforesi 1t is too late.
Fortunately the relations of the two
governments continue, as always. abso-
lutely friendly, and for this reason am
hopeful that the present unfrfendliness on
the part of the press OF the two countries
will not be lasting The friendliness of the
American and Russian governments 1t is
my firm belief furnishes the basis for the
restoration and preserv&tfon of the traffi-
tional friendship of their two peoples, and
hope some means may De found for the
latter to reach a better understanding"
What is the cause of the present un-
friendly policy of the Russian press toward
this country?" the ambassador was asked.
The ambassador responded:
1T Is the constant unfriendfy feeling ex-
pressed in many American newspa pers
against Russia. / am suke uhat when these
attacks, which, SO far Is Russia can see.
are without cause, end, the relations of Rus
STA and the United States will no longer be
clOuded. fSt1
II am convinced of this because a caro-
full analysis of the criticism expressed in
this country fails to show any real ground
for the bad feeling which evidently prompts
them My people naturally cannot under
stand these attacks upon them, and have
asked in all seriousness the reason for them
Failure to Leave Manchuria
For example. one reason which has been
advanced is that this country is displeased
that Russia was unable to evacuate Man
churia last October. 1t was the earnest
hope of my government that it would be
possible to withdraw it's troops from Man
churia at that time. The necessity of safe
guarding our peculiar and predominant po-
sition there. position which has been
recognized by all the powers made 1t impos-
sible for the evacuation to take place with
safety. AS soon as the necessary provision
can be made with China for the safeguard
ing of our legitimate interests in Manchuria
1t then will be possible for us to execute
our original intentions Until that time the
evacuation can take place only at grave