The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1904-03-02
RUSSIA FEELS
SOMEWHAT SORE
important Conference Between
CaSsiRI and Secretary Hay.
CABLE MATTER BROUGHT UP
AMBASSADOR INTERVIEWED
AFTER THE MEETING.

Washington, March IAN import
ant conference lasting more than an
hour occurred between Secretary HAY
and Count Cassini today The grow
ing -iil-fceling in Russia against Amer
leans and the continued attacks Of
certain portions Of the American press
upon Russia were the main subjects
discussed.
Count Cassini also informally in
quired about the report that the Com
merciai Cable company had applied for
Landing privileges at Guam for a cable
from that island 20 Japan. He was
assured by Mr. Hay that this govern
1nent al present was considering no
such application. The ambassador did
not give any intimation as to what
the attitude of his government would
be in this matter The Associated
Press dispatches from ST. Petersburg,
however, have stated that the Russian
government would view askance the
granting % such privileges by this
government, and it is assumed that
this government has declined for the
present TO consider such an applica-
ton.
Painful Surprise.
To a correspondent Of the Associ-
Rted Press Count Cassini said that the
Russian people long since had learned
10 regard the people OF this country
rs their fast friends. and that it had
~been bitter disappointment to them
10 Ind American newspapers attack
ing the Russian government, the Rus
sian 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 a de-
plorable feeling OF unfriendliness.
The tone Of Russian newspapers
said the ambassador, "a consequence
of the tone of many American news
papers, is beginning TO take a very
painful direction in their references
10 the United States. and in my opin-
ion it is in the interest Of both cOun-
tries that some measures shall be TAX
en- 10 check this before it is too late.
Governments Friendly.
Fortunately the relations OF the
two governments continue. as always,
absolutely friendly. and for this rea-
son am hopeful that the present I'M
friendly attitude on the part Of the
press Of the two countries will not be
lasting. The friendIiness of the Ameri-
can and Russian governments, it is
my belief furnishes the basis for the
restoration and preservation of the
pies, and ] hope some means may be
found for the latter TO reach better
understanding"
What is the cause of the present
unfriendly policy of the Russian press
toward this country the ambassador
was asked.
He responded: 1T is the constant I'M
friendly feeling expressed in many
American newspapers against Russia.
I am sure that when these attacks,
which. so far as Russia can see, are
without cause. end, the relations of
Russia and the United States Will no
longer be clouded. 4
The Reason Asked.
II am convinced of this because a
careful analysis of the criticism ex-
pressed in this country fails to show
any real ground for the bad feeling
which evidently prompts them. Ny
people naturally cannot understand
these attacks upon them, and have
asked in all seriousness the reason fO-
them. For example, one reason which
has been advanced is that this coun-
try is displeased that Russia was I'M
able to evacuate Manchuria last Oc-
tOber It was the earnest hope Of my
Government that it would be possible
IL withdraw its troops from ManchuTia
a. that time. The necessity of safe
guarding our peculiar and predomi-
nant position there, a position which
has been recognized by all the powers,
made it impossible for the evacuation
To take place with safety. This, in
plain words. is the reason why it has
been impossible for the evacuation to
take place.
Could Give Examples.
There have been examplos-and it is
not necessary for me 20 specify-where Il
nation ia good faith mas declared its IN
tention to eXacuate a region and mas
Seen obliged by unforeseen conditions 10
postpone the fulfiilment Of those tnten-
lions The Russian people. knowing the
situation i'm Mauchuria; knowing, further
interest of the United states in that Prov
lnce is commercial. and that the govern
ment Of Russia has given 10 all the pow
ers. including the United states, the
most positive assurance tnat their COM
mercial rights Will DC protected and safe
guarded. whatever emergency may arise.
tacks Of certain American newspapers
against Russia because she has been I'M
able with safety to effect an evacuation.
Traditional Friendship.
1T is tradition in Russia to feel friend
Is To America Hundreds Of Americans
returning from Russia have told me OF
the marked kindness with which they
have been received in ali parts of my
country and Of the friendship OF which
they saw evidence on every side for the
had the opportunity TO study the situa-
tion on the spot are deeply impressed
with the Sincerity OF THIS feeling, not
only on the part of the people Of Russia,
but the government as welt
1T Is believed that a feeling OF disap-
pOintmont has swept over Russia when
American newspapers have arrived there
attacking the government and the PEG
jJle in = bitter manner.
81 have been repeatedly assured by the
officials that Il IS the earnest wish of
this government that the old traditional
friendship between Russia and the United
States IN the interest of the two peoples
should not be disturbed. I have the best
assurance that this government will OBJ
serve complete neutrality IN the far east /
crn war. Indeed. It's attitude has in this
respect been all that either belIigereut
could desire. and Russia has no doubt
that IL viii continue absolutely correct.
Russia does not expect, now war is