Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1914-02-02
RUSSIAN POST IS
REF USED BY
P|NDE[L
Confirmed Only After Hard Fight,
He Declines Place as More
"DeIicate" Move.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-Henry Nj.
r,nden. of Peoria, ILL.,, to-daytrefused
+, accept the Enthusiastically to Rus
ia His appointment by President
wilson was confirmed by the Senate
las, week after a long fight.
/, a letter sent to President Wilson.
Mr. Pindell states that circumstances
va arisen which render it impossi-
HE for him to undertake the mission.
Ne asserts he had been put in false
lfsht by certain gross misrepreaenta-
sons in the public press.
In a reply to the resignation, the
President expressed his unqualified
confidence in Mr.. Pindell's ability,
chara oter and entire suitability for
the Russian post.
Mr.. Pindells letter follows:
Peoria, ILL.,, January %.
"Dear Mr.. President: l deeply APP
nreciate the honor you have done me
in nominating me Ambassador to
Russia and the very great compliment
paid me by he Senate in confirming
the nomination by unanimous vote.
had hoped and confidently expected
when YOU asked me to accept the post
that could do so at once and take up
the work at very early date. am,
therefore, the more embarrassed to
find that circumstances have arisen
which will render 1t impossible for me
10 undertake the mission.
"Put in False Light"
" have, az you know. been put in
verv false light by certain gross mis-
representations in the public press;
and while it is true that these have
been cleared away and the nomina-
ton accepted in it's true light after a
thorough and dispaSsionate investiga-
ton feel that it would be more deli
cate for me to decline the appoint
ment than to accept it. No contro-
versy of this kind should surround
the appointment of an Ambassador
10 foreign country, which can not
be expected to be familiar with the
real circumstances as they are known
at home There should be nothing
personal to talk about or explain there
as far as the Ambassador himself is
concerned.
81 beg. therefore, that trusting me
to be guided by my own instinct in
this matter, you will accept my as
surances of deep gratitude for the
honor you have sought to do me and
permit me, with genuine regret, but
with no hesitation of judgment, to
decline the appointment.
With sentiments of distinguished
consideration, believe me to be, Mr..
President, your obedient servant,
HENRY M. PINDELL"
President Yields to Wishes.
The Presidents reply follows:
Dear Mr.. Pindell: Your letter does
great credit to your delicate sense of
nropriety and serves to increase, if
that we're possible. my admiration for
YOU. and my confidence in your emil
nent fitness for the mission which you
now decline.
Il can but yield to your judgment
IN the matter, because 1t is clear to
me that, feeling as you do, whether
YOU are fully justified in that feeling
or not, you would not be comfortable
or happy in the post. | therefore can
not insist. You will allow me, bow
ever ] hope, to express my deep re-
eret, I know your qualities so well
and was so anxious to see YOU at st.
Petersburg that I feel a keen disap-
pointment. It is only a very imper-
feet consolation that now again eX-
press my unqualified confidence in
YOUR ability your character, your
discretion and your entire suitability
Tor such a post
Cordially and sincerely yours.
WOODROW WILSON"
Planned Year in Europe.
The appointment of Pindell caused
much adverse criticism, chiefly be-
cause it was declared he had an I'M
outstanding whereby he was to hold
me post for year, enjoy his time
travelling abroad and then resign.
senator J. Hamilton Lewis was al
eyed to have written a letter to Pin
cen outlining the details under which
me ambassadcrship was to be ac-
'ebted- Lewis, however. denounced
me letter as forgery.
Soon after Pindell's declination re-
PortS became current in official cir
cues that Charles r. Crane. of Chi
caeo, will shortly be nominated by
PRESIDENT Wilson for the Russian
post.
Mr. Crane had luncheon with Presi-
cent Wilson last Friday and at that
une q report spread that he would
soon be nominated for some impor-
AM diplomatic post. the name OF
winch was withheld for the time be
ne 1t now is regarded as certain