New-York tribune., 1905-08-15
AID FOR JEWS ASKED.
Delegation Confers scith Russian
EnuoyS-LOan Not Mentioned.
By The Associated TrcssJ

Portsmouth. y. H., Aug. IA free exchange
Of views on the subject Of the condition and
treatment Of the Jews in Russia was had to-
night in a confer lence between N. Witte and
Baron Rosen and Oscar : Straus, Jacob H.
Schif. Isaac y. Selgman and Adolph Lewisohn.
OF New-York, and Adolph hraus. of Chicago.
The statement was made 10y the delegation call
ing on the Russian plenipoteu,iaTies that moth
ing tangible resulted from The discussion. but
future benefit was looked FOR. The financial con-
oition CT Russia was not mentioned
After the conference. which ended ten minutes
before midnight, Nj StraUs made the follow
ing statement.
Mr.. Witto explained with much frankness the
condition OF the JeNsh population of Russia
while the American gentlemen endeavored TO
explain TO the Russian gentlemen the state Of
public opinion in the United States and TO i'm
press them with the impatience on the part
OF the American people with the restrictive and
suppressive laws eXerc. .sed by the Russian gov
ernment against its Jewish subjects
While the discussion in its nature could not
We'll lead 10 immediate practical results. the
gentlemen present at the conference, which
lasted several hours, believe that in course Of
time ana indirectly the frank exchange of
opinion and views which has been had cannot
but bear beneficial consequences.
Before going into the conference, Mr.. Straus
said regarding his mission:
We have come here on a very simple mission.
n
desires TO confer with US regarding the con-
dtion Of the Jews in Russia, and to discuss
with him how best to improve this condition
and 10 give them the same rights other Rus
sian subjects have. This is IN no way involved
with any financial question. II is purely and
simply a question of huma nifty and the belief
on Our part that equal rights among all the
subjects of Russia viii promote the best In
terests Of that empire
] would further say that the Russian Jewish
question musI be settled in Russia. Emigration,
no matter how large il may be, can only affect
the outer surface. NJ. Witte. / have understood.
has with his own eyes while in this country
the progress that has been made among the
Russian emigrants to America, and what he has
seen cannot fail 10 have an influence upon him
in indicating the way TO make the Russian Jews
helpful in the upbuilding Of that empire.
I regard the whole question a very simple
one. 1t only involves giving all the subjects of
the Emperor equal rights. That ! regard as
fundamental
Associates of the New-York financers who
were in the conference with NJ Witte said yes
terday afternoon that the sole object OF the
visit to Portsmouth TO discuss with the
Cars envoy the condition of the Jews in Russia.
1t was added by Of the speakers. however,
that naturally in the course Of the conversation
other topics of interest might come up for dis
cussion. IN some quarters there was a DISPOSE
tion 10 believe that in case Russia should decide
of her Jewish population the great Jewish bank
ing houses. both Of this city and Of foreign capi-
tails. would be found ready to aid I'm making a
Russian loan success whatever the outcome Of
the present negotiations between the ENJOYS Of
Russia and japan