The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-03
RUSSIA AND THE UNITED STATES.
Another View OF Their Relation.

To THE EDITOR OF THE suN-Sir. I have
read with much interest tho editorial in your
paper OF the Goth Of October. Americans and
the Gar" wherein reference is made to the
friendly attitude Of Russia during the various
crises Of our country. think II we look be-
meath the surface. which is so necessary when
Russia is concerned. We will mud that under
lying courtcsies to our naval officers and
profuse diplomatic professions her friend
ship to us was but an accentuation OF her hos
tility toward England. In the editorial this
fact has not been overlooked. as appears by
your reference to Catharine H.. whose alegi-
ance to the league Of neutrality was
prompted by desire to weaken the
power OF England under George Ill.
and thereby to check the naval supremacy OF
Britain which was then. as 1t still is. q check
upon Russian extension in Europe and in the
East. That this SO called friendship OF Russia
to US was nothing more or less than a mani
festation Of her emnity to England is borne
out by scheme formed by this same Empress
in 17I9. when we were in the midst OF our
Revolutionary war-the year which was one OF
the darkest for us during that period. This
scheme was for giving George III. effective
assistance against us, on condition that tho
English aid Russia in renewed attacks upon the
Turks. Apart of this programme was that the
island Of Minorcn was to DO ceded by England
to Russia rs station for the Russian feet In
the Mediterranean and rendezvous for the
insurgent Greeks. This project was drawn UP
by Catharine's chief adviser. the licentious
Count Potemkin. for presentation to the Brit.
ish Am ba ssador at St. Petersburg. but through
the adroitness Of Count Panin. ICatharines
scheme fell through. Thereby causing the EN- ic
Prmsd 10 ad2Rt ~ pNlicy 81
Edward Greasy In his history Of the Ottoman
Turks. as well as By Elton. who was an inti
:, The MIXTURE Of Russia's friendship for US at
thiS period, when We were most in need Of the
BY BENJAMIN franklin Who was then in Paris
psase with Great Britain be descrIees With
States; General y Holland: quote from his
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event gave shock here re- and is not Well re-.
eeiyed. as they at least profess to have fattered
that the wond have
Franklin adds. It Is true that While the war
Or has the project lately talked OF some
foundation that Russia and the Emperor in
tend driving the Turks out Of Europe2"
MIR: FRANCIS Dana was Mt this time our ac-
credited Minister to Russia. He remained
there about two years vainly asking to be
recognized by Catharine. but the Empress re-
fused to receive him or to recognize the indie
though nine months before preliminaries OF
peace had been signed. At last Dana. in Sep
TENDER, 1883. being unsuccessful in his effort
to induce Cathurine to receive him as the ac-
credited representative Of a friendly power. or
to have Russia recognize the independence Of
our country. obtained permission from Con-
gress to return home.
A like explanation lies at the bottom Of Rus
si4's friendship for US during the war OF tho
rebellion.
Russia attitude toward us has been sim.
ply, moves made by her upon the chessboard
Of European diplomacy. purely and only as
counter moves to England. The Russia OF to.
day has nothing in common with the United
States. and would. II she could caridr our Dec
laratinn of Independence out Of existence. and
wipe liberty from the face Of the globe. The
greatest diromatist,p stratior I'D Cannlns; Is Is
sway by conquest. but wherever its eagles
flew the arts OF civilization followed I" = The
Russian bird OF prey has no such commission.
1t turns indeed toward the sun. but the shadow
cf its wings is kIShns and moral desoation
Upon the desk wherein Jefferson wrote the
Declaration was inscribed the words Resist
aHce to Tyrants Is Obedience to God" Let not
sense OF gratitude. false or real check the
OSCAR s. SrRAus