Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1905-09-15
HOPE FOX JEWS
1la,1'<
ENVOY GIVES ASSURANCE THAT
RACE IN RUSSIA WILL HAVE
CIVIC RIGHTS.
Promse Made at Conference With
Leading Hebrews Before
Diplomats Sail.

New York, Sept. 15.-lt has been
announced by Isaac N. Seligman that
in conference held between
Serguis Witte and Mr.. Seligman, Os-
car S. Straus and Adolf Kraus of Chi
cago the Russian plenipotentiary
gave authoritative but not official as
surance that the condition of the Jews
in Russia would be speedily anchor
ated.
The conference was held secretly
at the ST Regis and Mr. Seligman said
that he was in every way satisfied
with the result.
IN. Witte,' he continued, allowed
us to foresee the emancipation of the
Jews in Russia and their participation
in the government of the empire in
the same degree and proportion that
other Russian subjects are allowed
to participate
"Of course Mr.. Witte made no Off.
cial pledges engaging his government.
He spoke only as an individual. but it
is well known that while he is not in
power now he will soon be. With him
at the head of the government the
Jews will again enjoy civic rights and
recognition
Loan Not Considered.
Mr.. Seligman was asked if the SUBJ
ject of a loan to Russia, to be made
by syndicate of Jewish financiers,
had been broached but he replied in
the negative.
The matter of loan," said he,
was not even suggested Mr.. Witte.
at the time of our first conference
with him at Portsmouth, had express
ed desire to confer with us further
on the question of the persecution
OF Jews in Russia, and the visit Mes
srs. Strauss, Kraus and | paid him
this morning was in compliance with
this expressed wish of his. We con-
tnued the discussion of economical
conditions in Russia where we had
left off, citing inequalities in the laws
and restrictions particularly affecting
the Jews. and suggested their abo-
htlon and repeal. I may say that we
left Mr.. Witte impressed with the he-
lief that the reforms urged by us will
be put in effect"
Mr.. Witte signed the following
statement at his hotel this morning:
do not know what to say about the
American people. I cannot say too
much as to my admiration for them
l nave been greatly impressed with
everything | have seen during the
short time have been here.
Ihere is one thing want to say,
and want YOU to bear this message
Tel! the Russian Jews that 7 am great
iy delighted at their behavior in This
country. ! am very much pleased at
the way they are building themselves
up. Tell them that. with the helm cf
N'o"' II tii'it SHOulu happen 10 be any
more disturbances and misunderstand-
lngs in Russia, they will soon pass
away Tell them that is my greeting.
on the eve of my departure, to the
RUSSIAN Jews CT this country.
Russians Sail for Home.
The Russian peace commissioners
sailed on the steamer haiser Wilhelm
ii, at o'clock this afternoon. Be
fore leaving the city Mr. Witte and
Baron Rosen made farewell call upon
the japanese diplomats. Barren .iom-
ura was arable to see the pueslans
because Of his Illness. hut ~ NO.,
minister Takahira he sent them cor
dial message of farewell. ", addition
to Mr.. Witte, the party sailing ON the
halser Wilhelm II, included Gregory
Wiienkin, financial agent of the Rus
sian government to the United Sta.es
Dig crowd had gathered at the
aock Of the Kaiser Wilhelm in Hobok