New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-11-18
.SCH|FF'S ATTACK
ROUSES HAMMOND
"CowardIy Lie," He Says, it
Banker Charged He Tried to
Influence Taft.
EXPLAINS VISIT TO RUSSIA
Objectionable Statement Made
at Conference of Jews with
Senators on Passport
Question.

Jacob II. Schiff made an attack on
John HAYS Hammond in semi-public
speech YESTERDAY. saying 2 Russian gov
ernment official had told him Mr.. Ham
mend had been employed by Russia 10
do certain work because Of the infiu-
ence he had on President TAFT ana
adding that Mr. Hammond later came
back from Russia proclaiming himself
convinced that the Gar was one OF the
most liberal monarchs on earth
The subject of Russia refusing 80
honor passports issued 10 American
Jews was under discussion before United
States Senator's Root and OGorman, in
the law office Of the latter in this city.
and Mr. Schiff was one Of several to adj
dress the Senators i'm an appeal for their
support Of the Senate resolution calling
for the abrogation Of the treaty with
Russia.
The attack drew a prompt response
from Mr.. Hammond at his home N
Worcester, Mass, as follows.
lRy Telegraph to The Tribune.
Gloucester Mass, nov. H.
To the Editor of The Tribune
If the statement as reported IN the New
| York evening papers be true that Jacob
| III. Schn charged me with having en-
deavored to influence President Taft IN his
attitude on the Jewish passport question,
would emphatically say that Mr.. Schin
Ltters an unqualihed falsehood-a coward
| ly lie.
My connection with Russian affairs began
| in 1898, when I was invited by Mr. Nitte.
" ho was at that time Minister Of Finance
OF Russia. to visit Russia with a view II
| ernment which might result in attracting
English capital TO the development of Rus
! sian industries. IL was at that time that
met Gregory Wilenkin, who was Mr.
Witte's financial agent I spent some weeks
| in Russia and Siberia, but declined TO adj
wise the investment Of English capital.
owing 10 certain political complications That
had arisen between England and Russia in
| the Orient
About year and a half ago Gregory
| Wilenkin. who was then the financial
| agent of Mr.. Whites successor, Mr. Kokot-
zcff. extended me an invitation on behalf
of Mr.. Kokotzoff TO visit Russia with a
view of making suggestions looking TO In
! CIeasing American trade with Russia, and
| also as to the lines OF industrial develop
ment I'm Russia
I went to Russia last winter. and tho re-
suit of my visit was TO remove certain
prejudlces that 7 found existing against
the United States by the Russian govern
ment officials. ! explained 10 them why
the sympathy of the American people was
war. giving as a reason that we believed
that the war had been precipitated by Rus
sia without just cause, and that our SYM
psthy under these circumstance was with
the small Japanese nation In her struggle
for existence against the great Russian
Empire. !. however convinced them that
there was no lack Of friendliness toward
! Russia on the part Of Americans, who re-
membered Russia's friendship 10 US al the
time of our civil War. This visit did much,
| / am sure. to re-establish good relations
The Russian passport question had not
arisen during my stay I'm Russls and was
never discussed with any Russian officials
Indeed. the question did not come up Tor
the consideration of President Taft until
after T had left Russia, and, | believe
while on my way back. In any event J
never. directly or indirectly, made any
recommenda tons on this subject to Presi-
dent Taft to any member of mis- admins,
tration, or 10 any Member Of Congress and
have exerted no influence whatsoever II
When i'm London I did see Mr.. Leopold
de Rothschild and Lord Rothschlld and
told them that my Russian-Jewish friends
believed that the best way 10 promote me
interest of their co-rellglonists In Russia
was by becoming interested I'm the indus
trial development of that country.
Mr. Jacob n. Schif has done more 70
accentuate the troubles of his co-relSion-
lists i'm Russia than any other one man
because of his boastful statement that the
money OF Jewish bankers had made II pos
sible for Japan to wage a successful war
against Russia. ~
Mr.. Gregory Wilenkin. who is himself a
| Jew and belongs 10 one OF the Leading jew
18Th families In Russia, has frequently
criticised the mistaken attitude OF Mr..
Schiff toward Russia. and has told me
that he was doing incalcuable harm 10 the
cause of the Russian Jews In that country.
have no interests I'm Russia. and IL
should acquire any there In the future
they will be insignificant compared with
interests I have in this country; MeNlco
and elsewhere MY chief desire has been
TO open UP a field for American initiative:
enterprise and trade I'm Russia, which I
regard as a land Of remarkable opportu-
mites.
| I wish to reiterate my statement that
any allegations by Mr.. SchiH or any ono
else that have I'm any way sought 10 lnruc
ence President Tafts opinion on Russis1
questions IS absolutely false
JOHN HAYS HAMMOND.