The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-06-01

A young naval officer from the cruiser
Baltimore taking dinner aboard Russia
msn-of-war drank toast to the time
when Russia and America shall control
the earth. The speech was bold stretch
OF fancy, but its pleasant diplomacy
greatly elated the audience and the young
officer was borne about the ship on the
shoulders OF his entertainers. The speech
was cabled to st. Petersburg and pub
lished with evident satisfaction in num-
Der OF Russian journals.
The audscious Yankee tar probably in.
tended nothing deeper than the expires.
sion OF a felicitous statement that would
make him solid" so to speak Tor the
time being with the Russian officers, but
bis expressions were, nevertheless, far
reaching in its grasp. and probably pro-
phetic OF the worlds trend. The idea is
an enlargement Of Napoleon's famous re-
mark, that all Europe would some day be
cossack or republican.
There are no two Christian countries
on the face Of the globe with so little in
common as Russia and the United States
no two whose public institutions and
forms OF government are so little alike,
yet they bear this essential point of re-
semblance-they are the two greatest
countries in point OF contiguous territorial
extent in the world, and the only. two
whose empire gives substantial promise
OF further growth. The British empire is
the only possible exception to this state
ment and the growing strength and in
dependence OF the British colonies show
that its hope of permanency hangs by
very slender cord.
The United States is not anxious for
aggrandizement, but it has wonderful
power Of absorption. Hawaii is knock.
ing at its gates and there is large and
active party in Canada in favor OF annex
alton. Columbia has no greedy designs
on the territory of her neighbors, but in
telligent observation Of the drift Of events
forces the conclusion that in the course
Of comparatively short time all of
North America, at least, will be comprised
within her dominion.
Russia is the most ambitious power in
Europe. Steadily and with logged per-
sistence she has added vastly TO her
Asiatic possessions despite England's
jealousy Of her encroachments 10 that
quarter and nothing but the strong arm
OF triple alliance prevents her from an
nexing the Balkan peninsular to her
European domain. This armed CON-
bination OF power cannot be long kept up.
The present political turmoil in Germany
portends its decay. When it is gone here
will be no power that can successfully
prevent the contamination OF Russia's
long-cherished ambition to stretch out
southwark. Once firmly established on
the Mediterranean, western Europe cannot
longer withstand her force. She will
then unbar the gate at Herat, appropri-
ate England's eastern possessions and BE-
mistress, If she wishes it, OF the rest OF
Asia. 1t is worthy Of note that the only
territory OF which Russia was ever pos
sessed with which she subsequently
parted was that portion OF the North
American continent which she sold to the
United States. Her desire for extension
does not reach into the Western hemis-
phere. Along with her conquests of
wealth and territory, confidently believe
that her sincere friendship for and close
intercourse with this country will elevate
the great body Of her people and liberalize
her government, 30 that the Gear of the
future. unlike those of the past, will not
approach his throne on his coronation
preceded "by the assassins OF his father,
followed by those OF his grandfather and
surrounded by his own"
Everything considered, is ii not prob
able that the young naval officer spoke
more wisely than he thought and that
the future may see two great governments
controlling the earth-the old world un-
der the dominion OF mighty monarchy;
the new world great sisterhood of states
embraced within the resp lendent folds OF
the star spangled banner?
JOSEPH X. BANKS.