, 1876-05-13

80 e tNP0NSA OhOlAJ v
Germany. As nations are swayed by general
impressions in periods of great historical
events, the friendly Alexander was cOntrasted
with the untriendly Nicholas, and little. if any.
room was left for the question of interest.
These sentiments, it would appear, were ex-
pressed somewhat too demonsrratively. The
semi otfioia Journal de St Petersburg the
other day went out of its way to oppose this
Government, and, without rhyme or reason.
disapproved the intend led purchase of the
German Railways by the German Chancellery.
Without tarrying to inquire for the reason Of
this untoWard attack, L proceed to quote the
following leader published a few days ago
in the well-known Nord Deutscbe AUgemesHe
lettings -
''Germac papers have been lately discuss
Ing the present and future relations of this
country with Russia. Their articles we're
oc9aSioned by vague rumOurs and anecdotes.
unsupported by trustworthy Intelligence aud
oontradicted by news Of an opposite tendency.
Itis to be- regretted that these papers, 10 dis
oussing our relations to Russia, should have
adopted a tone Of anxiety, as though this wers
q weak point from which the German Empire
might be exploded and destroyed at any
moment. In Judging our position towards
Russia, the German Press have rarely kept the
golden mean. Depreciation has been repeat.
edly succeeded by OVER estimation, At the
time of the Grimean War the PruSsian Govern.
ment were bitterly blamed by our Press for
not joining in IA liberal crusade against the 'hot.
bed ofreaotion in Europe Even temperate pol.
~iiciins could not forgive Frederick William w.
for taking a more correct estimate of our int :
ests, and declining to be guided by Polish sym.
pathies and thu then Angl0-French entente
c0rlials. The Russian Army, which In the
Crimean War made a stand against the united
F.,,nr - f,. N,vA,1o Ck.4a, v,,a Tho mou,0
which the Emperor Nicholas in a we'll known
exchange of sentiments with Prince William
had called the reserve of the PruSsiau Army.
Was it possible for any Prussian Government
il those days to set aside our ancient con-
ncxion with Russia and cause German blood to
hJW merely to purchase cheap laurels for the
NapoIeonic Empire 7 The Polish insurreotion
of 1868 witnessed a similar eruption of German
liberal feelings. A food of Indignation was
poured upon the Berlin Government because
1t did not happen to approve current opinions
upon the real interests of this Monarchy.
Since then public feeling has veered round
to the opposite point Of the political compass.
Realizing that there is an identity of interests
between the two countries, independent Of the
sympathies of their rulers, many in Germany
would now recommend a different policy from
that advocated 90 years ago, were the events
of 1868 to be repeated to-day. The Nord
Deutsche letting is certainly the last German
paper to wish for any but intimate relations
with Russia. However, no friendship is posi-
bic unless based upon mutual respect. We
deem it incumbent upon us to caution the
German Press against Over-e estimating Russian
friendship. We apprehend that tbs respect
Germany enjoys in Russia might be diminished
if the German Press we're to aoeustOm theme
selves to treat the friendship of Russia as an
absolute political necessity to this Government
aud country. Russian friendship is desirable,
but not indispensable. Since the days of
Peter the Great and the partition of Poland,
Russia and Germany have been on amicable
terms. There have only been a few short
breaks to this happy state of things, Occasioned
by the personal feeling of Russian rulers, and
always injurious to Russian interests. The
experience gathered by Russia on these ex.
ceptional occasions served to convince her that
the friendship of a neighbour who, even when
comparatively weak, was a match for a world
in arms, must be more valuable than any
other alliance. We cannot but invite the
German, and more especially the Prussian
Press to remember these facts and to view
them in the light of our history and traditions.
To fear any neighbour, whether East or Wests
has never been the habit Of this country. The
more we wish to be on a good footing with
Russia the more cautiously should We avoid cre-
ating an impression 10 Russia that We are dspen-
dent upon Russian support. The contingency (the
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