Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1914-02-02
Embarrassed by Circum-
stances. PeOrian Says
He Cannot Accept
AFTER WINNING FIGHT
President Wilson. in Letter of
Reply. Expresses Keen Re-
gret Over Decision.

washington. p. c.. Feb. 2.-Henry
". PindeII OF Peoria. H.. recently
dominated aud confirmed as ambassa-
dor to Russia. has declined the ap-
poiutment. according 10 a letter 10 the
president made pubic today. The
correspondence follows:
Peoria. IL. jar. IS. IslI-Dear Mr..
President; have deeply appreciated
the honor you have done in nominating
ne ambassador TO Russia. and the
very great compliment paid me By the
senate In confirming the nomination
By unanimous vote. had hoped and
confidently expected when you asked
ne 70 accept that l could do so at
once and take up the work at a very
early date. 1 am therefore the more
embarrassed 10 find circums: :ances
have arisen which render IL impossible
fOr ne 70 undertake the mission !
have. as you know. been put in a false
light BY certain gross misrepresenta-
ton in the public press. and while its
true light was brought out by the sen
ate after 4 thorough dispassionate in
vestigatioa. feel il 20 be more deli
cate 10 decline the appointment; than
accept.
Should Be Nothing to Explain.
NO controversy OF this kind should
surround the appointment Of an am
bassador TO a country which cannot be
expected 70 be familiar with the real
circumstances as they are known at
Iona be notirfrr~Ps
Icnal 70 talk about or explain there.
As far as an ambassador himself is
concerned.
I beg. therefore. that you accept my
assurance OF deep gratitude for the
honor you sought 70 do me and permit
ne, with genuine regret, but with no
hesitation OF judgment. TO decline the
appointment"
The presidents letter follows: |
Your letter does credit 10 your deli /
cate sense OF propriety and serves 10 4
Increase, II that be possible, my ad- 4
miratiOn for you and my confidence ]
in your eminent fitness for the mis- I
sion you now decline ! can but yield 4
eagse II IS clear 70 me that. feeling as
you do. whether you are fully justified .
n that feeling or not. you would not
be comfortable or happy in the post
] therefore cannot insist. You viii al
lOw me, however. ] hope. to express
ny deep regrets. I know your quality
50 veil and was so anxious 20 see you
a. St Petersburg that I feel a keen
disappointment"
Lewis Letter Starts Controversy.
The controversy over Pindells
termination grew out Of the publica- (
Ton Of what purpOrted 20 b. a letter
IRON Senator Lewis OF Illinois 70 Pia-
oel' urging -ne latter 10 accept thee
anbaFsadOrshiD 90 Russia for a year.
and saying he would be relieved OF
2plomatic responsibility for important
negotiations and could travel freely in
Europe. Lewis charged the letter was
forgery. and Secretary Bryan later,
n public statement. revealed that
nc circumEtauces were that Piudell
hsd said he could only accept the post
ior year. because he did not feel he !
eol4d be absent from his business for
any longer period so mention. 10 was ,
'@id, was maGe ~ any diplomatic task ,
@: dulles.
Crane Likely Han for Place.
There Is r1s- 20 in official circles {
.oout the Likelihood Of Charles X {
-fane Of CL..as1 being named am ,
'2ssador 10 Russ.- Crane took lunch 5
On with the resident few DAYS | Z
-Eo. but q could not be learned vheth- Z
= me smbs ro-ship was discussed I
-nAe he va 4 Washington. q