Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-06-12
TIE ISial Meeting.


inc scant consolation for those who In
duIgc the hope of breach occurring
between Russia and France and the
consequent establishment of friendly re-
lations between Russia and Germany.
Salvos Of artillery, imperial oscula'ion,
displays of bunting, banqueting, ana
the interchange of appointments to the
contrary Notwithstanding, the whoie
Kiel affair was perfunctory aud mean
incless 20 far rs it affected favoraoiy the
strained relations OF the two last-nained
nations. At the very time the Gar WAS
going through the ostentatiouS snain
of greeting Tour beloved cousin'
his brother and agent, the Grand Duke
CONSTANTINE. was closeted with Presi-
dent CARxoT, end the organ at 81
Petersburg of the Russian military
party was catering to the antl-German
feeling in France.
Whatever else may be brought against
the Young German Emperor it cannot he
CHARGED that he has been dereiict IN
courtesy towards ALEXANDER. Soon alter
his accession he visited the Gar, and
the return call OF few days ago may be
said TO have been compelled by spirit
of hospitality that could not be ignored.
In this matter WnLiM has unquestion-
ably done his duty to himself aud his
people. So far as he isindividually con-
cerned no provocation has been given
for friction between Russia and Germany.
and the onus Of breaking the peace or
abrogating the stofus q'to has been
thrown upon ALEXANDER.
And it seems that ALEXANDER has ac-
cepted the burden. The German press
are seeking to manufacture comfort
from the Cars declaration that he will
not support France if she raises the
Alsace question, and are endeayoring to
smooth over the situation by apologize
illusions to his want of tact" But the
fact Is that the two nations are further
from reapproa'hment than ever before.
The mass Of the German people cannot
fell TO contrast the demonstration at
Kiel with that at Cronstadt, aud with
the result of intensiiying tie anti
Russian feeling in the empire. The one
was hollow mockery-a cold, stlit
diplomatic collation.; the Otherabounded
in genuine enthusiasm and was a regular
Iove-feast. Ihey cannot fail to see In
the CoNsrAsrINE-CARSOr interview m
accentuatioa OF the Cars determine
ton TO encourage and keep alive French
feeling against Germany, SO markedly
exhibited during WILLIAMS stay III
ALExANDER's domains. The German
people cannot but recognize that the
French press have safe inspiration in
belittlng the influence Of the Kiel
meeting, and whether WILLIAM is sincere
ornot in his efforts to keep On good terms
with Russia when a crisis comes they
are likely to prove stronger thaa their
Emperor.
The repeated irritating manGuvres OF
Russian troops on the German frontier,
the treatment of Germans In the Rus
sian Baltic provinces, and the continu-
Gus intriguing between st. Petersburg
and Paris have been gradually bringing
German feeling to state in which it
would require very little to make i.
blaze out as it did in the franco-Prus-
sian war. There has long been a settled
conviction in the German mind that
Russia and the Fatherland must fight il
out, that Germany cannot hope for per-
manent peace and Europe from relief
from the burdens entailed by the Drei-
bund until this fight has been made. and
the sentiment engendered by the KEEL
interchange Of cOurteses and the Nancy
episode is not likely TO delay the de-
termination Of the issue.
So far as the Cars assurance regard
ing the Alsace question is concerned he
may BE- in earnest. Russia is not going
to combine with France in war simply
for the purpose OF helping the French
recover territory. The object Of her
unnatural alliance with the French re-
public is to use her ally in carrying out
her policy regarding the Bosphorous and
the Darianelles and the Balkan PENN
sula. But Il does not follow that il
France raises the Alsace question the
Triple Alliance may not see fit to force
Russia into the field in order TO settle
the whole problem that is yexing Europe
by general war. The signs of the
times certainty seem to point to such a
course. Russia may strive to avoid q
clash Of arms until she is fully prepared,
but if her ally is disposed to give
trouble the Dreibund may not be dis
posed to await the Cars convenience.