The Washington times., 1905-08-15
Prominent Hebrews
Confer With Witte

PORTSMOUTH. n. H. Aug 15.-Isaac
Seligman, Of the banking house of Selig-
man Brothers, of New York, who cana.
here on a mission of mercy on behalf 70
the Hebrews of Russia. did not leave
Portsmouth as early this morning as he
intended.
Before he had retired, shortly after
midnight. after the conference with NJ.
Witte, he received a request, from the
Russian envoy for a further interview.
This interview tool. place early this
morning before breakfast It is believed
that the subject under consideration dt-
rectIy concerned financial matters
1t is thought that NJ. Wftte who. as
minister of finance. has always kept in
touch with the money markets of the
world. has taken advantage of this op-
portunity to discuss what attitude lead
ing American financiers would assume
toward any loan which Russia might
find it necessary to float in the near fu-
ture.
IT is realized that Russia may be IN
willing 10 accede to some of Japan's 5
peace conditions. While she can secure
IN Paris and Berlin all The necessary
money TO establish peace, 1t is an open
secret that for continuance of hostift-
ties she must look elsewhere Tor the
stneWs OF war.
Looking Into Future.
II. Witte's prudent craftsmanship in
looking into the future sees the possi-
bility in America of securing the cash
that will be necessary for either pur-
pose. It is understood that he has been
given TO understand that American
hnanciers would see no objection to ex-
tending aid to Russia # a disposition
was shown by that government 10 estab-
Hsh reforms which would tend TO pre-
vent the recurrence of internal disor-
ders, inciuding unWarranted attacks
upon the Israelites.
The thOToughness with which the He
brew situation in Russia was entered
into IS shown by the fact that the dis
cussion lasted from clock until mid
night, when the expectation was that
no more than an hour would be Oceu-
pied. MIR. Seligman's statement given TO
the press at the conclusion of the dis
cusslOn announced that the talk had
been conducted with the utmost free
dom on both sides.
The members of the party. besides Mr.
Straus and Isaac \. Seligrnan, were
AdolPh Lewiston, Jacob II. Schif, of
the flrm Of Kuhn, Loeb & Co. anu
Adolph kraus, the editor OF a Jewish
publication in Chicago.
They constituted a committee of five
representing the Hebrew societies of the
United States. which for the past few
: ,
laeoring to secure reforms for mem bers
Of their race in Russia.
Just what VAS the Interior object of
AiF. WiLte in SummOning these men here
Is largely cOnJectufal, but il is assumed
from the outcome OF the deliberations
that the Russian government IS anxious
To regain the friendship and esteem OF
the people of the United States through
the establishment of reforms which II
heretofore has declined TO consider.
The Kishenef Incident.
AIr straus and Air Seligman took up
the Kishener Incident, the handling of
which by Count Cassini placed the Rus
slan Ambassador at odds with his gov
ernment, and they showed how the
United States Government through
President Roosevelt, and the American
people through petitions, had vainly
sJriven TO secure from Russia p mere
expression of regret over the horrible
massacre OF defenceIesS persons at that
place and an iutimation that some relief
should be afforded for the future.