Evening journal., 1914-02-02
PINDELL TURNS
DOWN WILSON'S
OFFICE GIFT
Informs President Today lie
Cannot Accept Russian
AmbaSSadOrShip
CRANE MAY GET
DIPLOMATIC POST
BY Tho United Press.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.--ldenry NJ
Pinden, OF Pecri, Ill, today decline,
the appointment as ambassador "a
Russia, 10 which he was confirme,
By the Senate last week. He express
ed the belief that the controvers.
that preceded his confirmation ha,
him so that he nigh
not be able properly to act as am
bassador. The President immediate
ly accepted the declination and In
letter TO Mr.. Pindell lauded his &C
ton
IN his letter TO the President, Nh
Pindell said.
I deeply appreciate the honor
you have done me In nominating
rue ambassador to Russia. and
the very great compliment paid
me by the Senate in confirming
the nomination by unanimous
vote. had hoped and conf
IDENTIFY expected when you asked
me to accept the post that /
could do so at once and take up
my work at q very early date. I
am, therefore. the more embar-
rassed to find that circumatanc-
els have arisen. which viii render
it impossible for me to under
take the mission.
have. as you know. been put
in very false light by certain
gross Misrepresentation in the
public press; and, while il is true
that these have been cleared
away and the nomination accept
ed In its true light hy the Senate.
after a thorough and dispassion-
ate investigation. ! feel that il
would be more delicate for me TO
decline the appointment than 10
accept IT, No controversy of this
kind should surround the APP
pointment Of an ambassador TO
country which cannot be expect
ed to be familiar with the real
circumstances as they are known
at home.
There should be nothing per-
sonal 10 talk about or explain
there. as far as himself is con-
cerned.
beg. therefore. that trusting
me TO be guided by my own in
stinct i'm this matter, you viii ac-
cept my assurances Of deep gra-
utude for The honor YOU have
soueht ~ % f.lc antl7efF fFrtiS nF1
hilatitn of i0dEdent. b De-
cline ttc 1rpounn cent
WITH scut'ne0ts of distin
8uished consideration. believe
me to- be-. Mr.. President your
obedient servant
HENRY NJ. PINDELL.
~ reply. the President wrote
Dear Mr. Pindell
Your letter does great credit
20 your delicate sense Of propri-
ETY. and serves 10 increase, If
that were possible. my admiral
ton for you and my confidence
in your eminent fitness for the
place which YOU now decline.
can but yield 10 your judg-
mont 10 the matter. because il is
clear 10 me that feeling as you
DO, whether you are lully iusii-
fed in rhat feeling or not, You
would not De comfortable In the
post l.. thtrfiore. cannot insist
You viii allow me. however, d
hope, to express my deep rceret
I know your quality SO well and
was so anxious to seeesou ~ St.
Petersburg that feel keen
disappointment II IS only a very
imperfect consolation thatsI may
now again express my unQuali-
fled confidence in Your ability.
your character your discretion,
and your entire suitability for
such a post
Cordially and sincerelV Senrs.
WOODROW. WlDe6N.
NJ IS understood tlaf the rfesidc
will appoini Hinden TO an ir3portq
post under ne pdminisrauon. n
.pature Of which has not s3et be-
iearned To the vacancy caused
Pindelrs retirement as ambassads
to Russia. il was considered eer.a
today that Charles r.. Crane Of Cf
cago viii be named.