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

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-Henry NJ.
p.n5eu of Peoria, H., to-day refused
,,.ant the ambassadorship to Rus
His appointment by President
n1.sor vas confirmed by the Senate
lac. week after long fight.
~, " Ietter sent to President Wilson,
,,. p,rgeII states that circumstances
ha,e arisen which render 1t impossi-
Ela Cor him to undertake the mission,
Iio asserts he had been put in a false
i.,bt nv certain gross misrepresenta-
t,9ns in the public press"
T., replv to the resignation, the
President expressed his unqualified
.onddence in Mr.. PindelPs ability,
cbar9cter and entire suitability for
tbe Russian post.
.rr. Pindelrs letter follows:
Peoria, H., January IS.
Dear Mr.. President: l deeply ap
nrsciate the honor you have done me
IN nominating me Ambassador to
Prussia and the very great compliment
hid me by he Senate in confirming
Inc nomination by unanimous vote. !
he'd hoped and confidently expected
when YOU asked me to accept the post
that could do so at once and take up
The work at a very early date. / am,
therefore. the more embarrassed to
find that circumstances have arisen
ubich Will render it impossible for me
10 undertake the mission.
"Put in False Light"
"t have, as YOU know. been put in a
very false light by certain gross mis-
IN IN
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 1t would be more deli
cate for me to decline the appoint
ment than to accept 1t. No contro-
versy of this kind should surround
the appointment of an Ambassador
10 a foreign country which can not
he expected to be familiar with the
real circumstances as they are known
a, home There should be nothing
persona TO talk about or explain there
as far as the Ambassador himself is
concerned
y beg. therefore, that trusting me
to be guided by my own instinct in
this matter, you will accept my as
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
considerations believe me to be. Mr..
President. your obedient servant.
HENRY NJ. PINDELL."
President Yields to Wishes.
The Presidents reply follows:
Dear Mr. Pindell: Your letter does
great credit tC your delicate sense Of
pFopriety 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.
y 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. I therefore can
not insist. You will allow me, how
ever, ! hope, to express my deep re-
sret | know your qualities so we'll
ana was so anxious to see you at St.
Pelersburg that | feel a keen disap-
continent. It is only a very imper-
Ne 'NlioOIdtlOH tndl l now again eX-
press my unqualified confidence in
Your ability your character, your
discretion and your entire suitability
for such post
cordially and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON"
Planned Year in Europe.
me appointment of Pindell caused
much adverse criticism, chiefly be-
gause 1t was declared he had an I'M
aerstanding whereby he was to hold
me post for a year, enjoy his time
'1IeIlnS abroad and then resign.
senator j. Hamilton Lewis was al
iesed to have written a letter to Pin
Gen outlining the details under which
me ambassadorship was to be &C
,epted. Lewis, however. denounced
me letter as forgery.
soon after Pindelps declinatlon re-
2urts became current in official cir
cIes that Charles r. Crane, of Chi
raSo: viii shortly he. nominated nv
resident Wilson for the Russian
Mr.. Crane had luncheon with Presi-
G,en. Wilson last Friday and at that
.lIe a report spread that he would
ION ne nominated for some impor-
.aul diplomatic post. the name of
uIcn was withheld for the time be-
~ II now is regarded as certain
may Mt Crane will go to Russia.