The Washington times., 1909-05-04
CHOSEN TO FULFILL
PROMISES OF TAT
Rockhill to Secure Protec-
ton for "Hebrew-Ameri-
cans" in Russia.
NAMED AMBASSADOR
TO ST. PETERSBURG
Appointment of Oscar S. Straus
and Ambassador LeiShman
No Surprise.

William w. Rockhill. now minister 10
China, is the man who will have the
work of fulfilling the Presidents cam
paign promise that this country would
secure from Russia proper treatment of
the Hebrew citizens Of the United
States travelling in the Cars domin-
IONS.
This becomes known as p result Of
the official announcement by Secretary
of State Knox that Mr.. RcCkhiI viii
be made ambassador to St Petersburg.
and that Oscar S. Straus. Secretary OF
Commerce and Labor under Mr.. Roose-
Welt. win be The next ambassador to
Turkey. succeeding John @. a. Leish-
man, who win be transferred as am
bassador to italy.
The appointment of Mr.. Straus to
Turkey and the selection OF Mr.. Deish-
man for italy have been predicted by
their friends for some time, as has been
stated IN The Times.
The interesting part Of the announce
ment Is that. not only is Mr.. Rockhill
10 be retained in the diplomatic service.
but he is to be given one Of the most
important posts. The President formed
a great attachment to Mr.. Rockhill on
account OF his work in China, and II
appears. never had any idea of detsch-
ing him from the Diplomatic Corps.
To Protect Hebrews.
In sending him to St. Petersburg, he
intrusts TO him the work Of securing
from the Gar the pledge that any
Hebrew citizen of this country, travel
ing in Russia under the passports of
the United States. shall be given all the
protection and consideration accorded to
any other American. There have been
from time 10 time complaints that the
Cars government subjected these
Hebrews to the greatest inconvenience
and degradations. This was especially
true in the cases Of Hebrews who,
having been originally from Russia, had
come to this country and obtained
citizenship. When they psid visits to
Russia they were mistreated.
Such q state OF affairs appealed to
Mr.. Taft from the first as totally IN
fair, and in his speech Of acceptance
of the Presidential nomination in Gin
cinnati he said his Administration would
take steps to remedy the abuse. This
campaign speeches. and he is now as
strongly decided on 1t as ever.
VIII Be Little Delay.
Mr.. Rockhil will go TO St Peters
burg as soon as his successor as min
ister to China has been named. which
viii be within the next few weeks. Fol-
lowing that the Secretary Of State 7gill
forward to Mr.. Rockhill the necessary
instructions in regard to the Hebrew
matter.
Nr. Rockhil has had a long and var
led experience IN the diplomatic serv-
ice. having held positions in II Ct and
cn for twenty-five years. He has serv-
ed IN Peldn, Korea, and China, and
under Grover Cleveland was Assistant
Secretary OF State At St Petersburg
he VIII succeed John W. Riddle Of Min
190e
Mr.. Straus win be revisiting Old scenes
fhen he goes to Turkey as ambassador
tor he was minister 10 that country
Tor two years before the United States
made II an embassy. Mr.. Lelshman
VIII remain there until the present crisis
IN Turkey has been settled, and will
then go 10 ItGy. Lloyd Q. Griscom.
now ambassador 20 Italy. has resigned,
and VIII leave the service.