South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-02-02
PINDELL DECLINES
To BE AMBASSADOR
TO RUSSIAN COURT
Controversy Over Appointment
Would Be Handicap to Him
Says Peoria Editor-ACtion
Accepted BY President.

WASHINGTON. Feo. 2.-Henry NJ.
Pindell of Peoria. Ii. Monday refus-
ed TO accept the a 'bassadorship to
Russia. His appoin nent by Pres.
Wilson was confirmed by the senate
last week after a lohg fight
In letter sent to Pres. wilson
Mr.. Pindeu states that circumstances
have arisen which render it impoSsi-
BILE for him TO undertake the mission.
He asserts he had been put in false
light by certain gross misrepresenta-
tions in the public press.
In a reply TO the resignation. the
president expressed his unqualified
confidence in Mr.. Pindell's ability,
character and entire suitability for
the Russian post.
Mr.. Pindelrs letter follows:
Peoria, Ill, Jan. %.
Dear Mr.. President
II deeply appreciate the honor you
have done me in nominating me am
bassador TO Russia and the very great
compliment paid me by the senate IN
confirming the nomination by unani-
nous vote. 1 had hoped and confi-
IDENTITY expected when you asked me
TO accept the post that ] could do so
at once and take up the work at
very earlv date. I am therefore, the
more embarrassed TO find that cir
cumstances have arisen which will
render it i'm possible for me to under
take the mission. have, as you
know, been put in a very false light
by certain gross Misrepresentation
in the public press: and while 1t IS
true that these have been cleared
away and the nomination accepted IN
it's true light after a thorough and
dispassionate investigation, 1 feel
that il would be more delicate for me
10 decline the appointment than 10
accept.
mo controversy Of this kind should
surround the appointment of an am
bassador TO q foreign country which
cannot 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 ambassa-
dor is concerned.
"I beg, therefore, that trusting me
TO be guided by my own instinct In
this matter, YOU will accept my assur-
ances 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.
(Signed)
HENRY NJ. PINDELL."
The presidents reply follows:
Dear Mr.. Pindell:-
Your letter does great credit to
your delicate sense of propriety and
serves to increase if that were possi-
BILE, my admiration for you and my
confidence in your eminent fitness
for the mission which you now de-
cline.
81 can but yield TO your judgment
in the matter, because il is clear to
me that, feeling as you do. whether
ycu are fully justified in that feeling
or not you would not be comfortable
or happy in the post. ] therefore
cannot insist. You will allow me,
however. / hope to express my deep
regret. know your qualities so well
and was so anxious to see you at st.
Petersburg that l feel a keen diSap-
pointment 1t is only a very imper-
feet consolation that l may now
again express my unqualified conf
dence in your ability. your charac-
ter. your discretion and your entire
suitability for such a post.
Cordially and sincerely yours,
(Signed)
WOODROW WILSON"
The appointment of Pindell caused
much adverse criticism chiefly be-
cause il was declared he had an un.
derstandiEg whereby he was to hold
the post for a year and enjoy his
time travelling abroad and then re-
sign.
Sen. J. Hamilton Lewis was alleg-
ed to have written a letter TO Pin
dell outlining such a plan Lewis
later denounced the letter as a
forgery.
Crane TO Get Place.
Soon after Pindells declination re-
ports became current that Charles r.
Crane of Chicago Will shortly be
nominated by Pres. Wilson for the
Russian post. Crane had luncheon
with Pres. Wilson Friday