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
"DeIicate" Move.


WASHINGTON, Feb. 2.-Henry M.
pindell of Peoria, Ill, to-day refused
to accept the amba ssadorship to Rus
s,a His appointment by President
wilson was confirmed by the Senate
last week after long fight.
In a letter sent to President Wilson,
Mr. Pindell states that circumstances
have arisen which render 1t lmpossl-
HE for him to undertake the MISSION
He asserts he had been put in a false
light by certain gross mlsrepre5enta-
Tons in the public press.
In a reply to the resignation, the
President expressed ms unquailhea
confidence in Mr. Pindell's ability
character and entire suitability for
the Russian post
Mr.. Pindelfs letter follows:
Peoria, H., January %.
Dear Mr.. President: l deeply APP
preciate the honor you have done me
In nominating mes Ambassador to
Russia and the very great compliment
Maid 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 30 so at once and take up
the work at a very early date. | am,
therefore. the more embarra ssed to
find that circumstances have arisen
which will render it impossible for me
to undertake the mission.
"Put in False Light"
~ have, as you know, been put in a
very false light by certain gross mis-
presentations in the public press;
and while it is true that these have
been cleared away and the nominal
ton accepted in its true light after
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
to 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 NJ. PINDELL."
President Yields to Wishes.
The Presidents reply follows:
Dear Mr.. Pindell: Your letter does
great credit tc your delicate sense of
piopriety and series to increase. if
that were 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
n the matter because 1t is clear to
me that, feeling as you do, whether
YOU are fully justified in that feeling
az 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. know your qualities so well
and vas so anxious to see YOU at st.
Petersburg that | feel a keen disap-
continent It is only very imper-
tect consolation that | now again eX-
press my unqualified confidence in
Neur ability your character. YOUR
discretion and your entire suitability
Tor such post
Cordially and sincerely yours,
WOODROW WILSON"
Planned Year in Europe.
The appointment of Pindell caused
much adverse criticism, chiefly be-
cause II was declared he had an un-
Outstanding whereby he was to hold
me rost for year. enjoy his time
travelling abroad and then resign.
senator J. Hamilton Lewis was al
eyed to have written q letter to Pin
cell outlining the details under which
me ambassadcrship was to be ac-
'ebted. Lewis. however. denounced
the letter as = forgery
soon after Pindelrs defamation re-
ports became current in official cir
'ies that Charles r. Crane. of Chi
c,aeo, will shortly be nominated by
PRESIDENT Wilson for the Russian
post
Mr. Crane had luncheon with Presi
uent Wilson last Friday and at that
.lIhe report spread that he would
soon he nominated for some impor-
AM diplomatic post. the name of
winch was withheld for the time be-
.n". II now is regarded as certain
mat Mr., Crane will go to Russia