Mountain advocate., 1914-02-06
DECLINES RUSS POST
ILLINOIS EDITOR REFUSES TO BE
AMBASSADOR BECAUSE OF
CONTROVERSY.
CRANE MAY BE SELECTED
Letter From the President Pays High
Tribute to Peoria Man, Who Feels
He Would Be Hampered In Work
at ST. Petersburg.

Washington, Feb. 4.-Henry NJ Pin
dell of Peoria, who was recently nomi-
mated and confirmed as ambassador to
Russia, has declined the appointment,
according to a letter to the president,
made public at the White House on
Monday.
In letter sent to President Wilson
Mr. Pindell states that circumstances
have arisen which render II impossi-
BILE for him to undertake the mission.
He asserts he had been put in a false
light by certain gross misrepresenta'
tons 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:
Dear Mr.. President: | deeply APP
preciate the honor you have done me
in nominating me ambassador to Rus
STA 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 me to accept the post
that ! could do so at once and take
up the work at a very early date.
81 am, therefore, the more embar-
rassed to find that circumstances have
arisen which will render ii impossible
for me to undertake the mission.
Il have, as you know, been put in
a very false light by certain gross
misrepresentation in the public
press and while it is true that these
have been cleared away and the nomi-
nation accepted in its true light after
a thorough and dispassionate invest-
cation, ! feel that it would be more
delicate for me to decline the APP
pointment than to accept IT, No con-
troversy of this kind should surround
the appointment of an ambassador to
country which cannot be expected
to be familiar with the real circum-
stances 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.
Il 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 NJ. PINDELL."
The presidents reply follows;
Dear Mr. Plndell: Your letter
does great credit to your delicate
sense of propriety and serves to In
crease, if that were possible, my ad-
miration for you and my confidence In
your eminent fitness for the mission
which you now decline.
Il can but yield to your judgment
in the matter; because II is clear 10
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, how
ever, hope, to express my deep re.
greet
Cordially and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON"
Soon after Pindells declination re-
ports became current in official cir
cles that Charles r. Crane of Chicago
will shortly be nominated by Presi'
dent Wilson for the Russian post
Mr.. Crane had luncheon with Presi-
dent Wilson last Friday and at that
time a report spread that he would
soon be nominated for some impor-
tant diplomatic post.