OCR Text |
Show CASSiNI HAS A GHAT WITH SECRETARY HAY Russian Minister Discusses Anti-American Anti-American Peeling in Russia and Blames Newspapers. WASHINGTON, March l.-An Important Impor-tant conference, lasting inoro than an hour, occurred between Secretary Hay nnd Count Casslnl today. Tho growing Ill-feeling In Russia against Americans and the continued attacks of certain portions por-tions of the American press upon Russia was tho main subjects discussed. Count Casslnl oIbo Informally Inquired about tho report that the Commercial Cable company had applied for landing privileges at Guam for a cablo from that Island to Japan. Ho was assured by Mr. Hay that this Government at present was considering no such application. The Embassador did not give any Intimation Inti-mation as to what tho attitude of his Government would bo In this matter. Tho Associated Press dispatches from St Petersburg, however, havo stated that thu Russian Government would view askance tho granting of such privileges by this Govornmont, and It Is assumed that this Government has declined for tho present to consider such an application. BLAMES PRESS. To a correspondent of the Associated Press Count Cosaini said that tho Russian people long since had learned to regard tho peopl of this country as their fast friends, and that It had been a bitter disappointment dis-appointment to them to find American newspapers attacking the Russian Government, Gov-ernment, the Russian peoido and Russian policies, lie said the first feeling of his Eeoplo had been one of painful surprise, ut that this Is now crystallizing Into a doplorablo feeling of unfriendliness. "Tho tono of Russian newspapers," said tho Embassador, "a consequence of the tono of rrany American newspapors, Is beginning to tako a very painful direction direc-tion In their references to tho United States, and In my opinion It Is In tho interest.1! in-terest.1! of both countries that some measures meas-ures shall be taken to check this beforo It Is too late. "Fortunately tho relations of the two Governments continue, as always, absolutely abso-lutely friendly, and for this reason I am hopoful that tho present unfriendly attitude atti-tude on tho part of the press of the two countries will not be lasting. GOVERNMENTS FRIENDLY. "Tho friendliness of tho American nnd Russian Governments, It 13 my belief, furnishes the basis for tho restoration and preservation of tho traditional friendship of their two .peoples, and I hope some means may bo found for tho latter to reach a better understanding." "What Is tho cause of tho present unfriendly un-friendly policy of tho Russian press toward to-ward this country?" the Embassador was asked. He responded: "It Is the constant unfriendly un-friendly feeling expressed In many Amor-lean Amor-lean newspapers against Russia. I am sure that when these attacks, which so far as Russia can see are without cauye. end the relations of Russia and tho United States will no longer be clouded. "I am convinced of this because a careful care-ful analysis of tho criticism expressed In this country falls to show any real ground for the bad feeling which evidently prompts them. My people naturally cannot can-not understand these attacks upon them, and have asked In all seriousness the reason rea-son for them. For example, one roason whicii has been advanced is that this country Is displeased that Russia was un-oble un-oble to evacuato Manchuria last October. It was tho earnest hope of my Government Govern-ment that It would be possible to withdraw with-draw Its troops from Manchuria at that tlmo. The necessity of safeguarding our peculiar and predominant position there, a position which has been recognised by all the powers, made it Impossible for tho evacuation to tako place wlt.i safety. This, In plain words. Is the reason why It has been Impossible for tho evacuation to tako place " |