Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-08-21
WEDNESDAY. AUGUST p. 1889


Russia s Latest Move
II would seem that Russia is deter
mined to bring on war at any cost, AID
that il is her mission 70 keep the last
ern Hemisphere in fermcnt. Scarcely
do wo hear OF her designs being frus-
trated in one quarter before nows comes
that she is breeding trouble IN another.
One month she is intriguing on tho
Afghan frontier, the next she IS me-
nacing Persia. To-day she Is tanning
the flames Of insurrcc,ion IN Bulgaria,
Seryia. Crete, OF Macedonia /; to-mor-
row she is melting discomfort III Asia
Minor. Well is she tyDeicd by
the word bear. She is a bear
chained TO a stake ani watched 10y the
other Powers. but ever restless, ever in
motion. ever going to the full longth Of
the chain, and threatening TO break 1t.
The last point atwhich she has attracted
especial attention is IN the Caucasus.
While the st. Petersburg press have by
their admissions touching the effect Of
Inelauds adherence 10 the triple allI-
nnce afforded some assurance that the
situation in the Balkans would not be
disturbed for the present, the work Of
masing Russian troops on the trans
Caucasian border of Turkey in Asia
has progressed steadily AMI has assumed
each proportions that Turkey, England5
TrofCgc, has been moved to strengthen
the Notifications of Ezerum. The os-
tonsible object Of Russia's movement IN
her trans Caucasian territory ia the anne
Iteration of the condition of the Chris
tians in Armenia, whose reported suiier-
ings under the brutal treatment OF
their Kurdish and other opprossors
arc now exciting widespread IN
dignation. 1t is given out to the
world that Russia is simply placing
herself in position to interfere IN
Armenia IN the interest OF humanity III
case England does not see fit tointerfcre
herself or force Turkey to put stop to
the Outrages. Could the civilized world
believe Russia is honest in her dcclara-
ton as TO the motives that actuate her
i'll this matter it would give that Power
It's oympathy. But he "brutal treatment
OF Christians in Turkish provinces " has
been Russias excuse for plugging Eu-
rope into two wars, tho real object OF
which was the acquisition by Russia OF
Constantinople. The amehoraiion Of
the condition OF the Christmas has a.
ways proved secondary consideration
with her compared with the question Of
getting possession Of the Bosphorus and
the DardaDciles.
As to what will I've RussiG's exact tao
ties in her present manWuyre opinion Is
divided. OF course it is conceded that
all Russian roads lead 70 COustantinople,
no matter what the detour that may be
made. One phase Of the situation sug-
gcsts that she has merely transferred
the scene Of her Vaccinations from
the Balkans TO Asia Minor, finding it bet
ter 10 start the inevitable general con-
Migration there, and that she will march
through that territory directly towards
ST Sophia. Another view is that hly
ing been disappointed IN her ncgotia-
tons with Persia for concessions that
would enable her to reach the Persian
Gulf through Persian territory, she has
determined to 60 there uiG the Tigus
and the Euphrates. The annexation of
the country through which her armies
would pass on this march would, together
with her us-Caspian possessions and
the possessions she wrcsted from Persia
in her wars with the latter in 1913 and
1923, give her territorial lap around
three sides Of the Shah's domiLious.
This it can be readily understood would
go great way towards counteracting in
Persia English influence, which seems
unquestionably in the ascendant, if it
did not finally result III forcing from the
Shah important concessions in Northern
Persia which would be inimcal TO Eng
lieh interests 1t can also be readily
understood that although England,
owing TO her hold upon her "good
friend the ruler Of Oman, might succeed
in combining Russia to the Persian Gulf
in Ike manner as the latter is
confined to the Black Sea. Russa's
new acquisition would increase the
danger Of weakening England's military
establishment in her Oriental empire
by Withdrawing troops from India in the
event OF war on tho European CONT
nent. What with Russias trans Cas-
plan railway, and the facilities it gives
her for making demonstration upon
Herat, the additional pressure she could
bring to bear on Persia by coming down
70 the Gulf and the proximity 10 the In
dian Ocean, involved in the success of
this latter movement, she would be able
to fetter seriously the hands OF England
when next she determines to attempt
the consummatiou o. the Hope Of Mos
cow" Whatever direction the Cauca-
sus movement takes, however, the end
will be watched withInlorest.
Why Suddenly Realized -?
Under the caption Southern Cover