Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-10-29

- .xtrava<ance of conduct. Women
We'd with men IN the maddening carni-
v., ~ welcome. ana both went to the
extreme limit of absurdity IN their efforts
20 prove their patriotism. But IL was M
Paris that the dellrium reachfd Hs
height. Here, IN the capital OK the re-
public, not only the masses. put tne
highest representatives OF the govern
ment engaged in continuous round OF
rcyelry. The visitors were ''wined, dined'
fetsd" and caressed to the end OF tne
chapter. and the hilarity that was mani
tested stands unparalleled for excessive
ness save by the excessive thirst ior.
blood shown by the Parisians durihS
the Reign OF Terror.
Nor have the guests met their hosts
less than half way. They have oeeh
either thoroughly inoculated with tne
enthusiasm of the occasion or are con-
summate masters OF the art OF dissent
bling. We rather suspect the latter Is inc
case. Be that as 1t may, the facs re-
mains that at various dramatic cimaAes
Admiral Ayelan dissolved in tears at
other times he proposed millions oil hur-
rahs for France, and was never backward
in giving a Russian Roland for rrehcn
Oliver in the mutual admiration Joliih-
cation.
And now the question arises what
underlles this extraordinary enervesenee-
what is the serious significance OF the
extravaganxa7 Russia claims that IL mas
none except that embraced In slfhpic
interchange Of international cour'es'es
The French press look upon 1t as rati-
flcatIon of what they term an aihahce
for neace or an understanding between
France and Russia, and that accounts
IN large measure for the abandon Win
which the people threw themselves
into the festivities. From an aiil'ee
for peace to an alliance offensive anu ue
fenslye. IS but a short step. one Is inc
basis upon which TO build the other
The French explanation is no DOUBT 'he
correct one Denials to the contrary n0'-
u,,,bstanding. Alexander would never nave
nermitted matters TO go as far as 'heS
have IL no more than mere courtesy was
involved. This is the view the other row
ers take. But pity tbs, It's true uia'
France has all to lose and nothing 10 gam
by an alliance with Russia. Such COM
bInation would not only strengthen the
preIbund in itself, but predispose England
10 give It her positive adherence, ana 'hus
further Isolate France. IL has long peeh
recognized that Russia's primary OBJECT
in any agreement with France she might
roach would be 10 secure naval ally IN
the Mediterranean as a preparation for
her next advance upon Constantinople.
THAT England suspects she has Sc
cured that ally, or has opened the way 20
TO do. would seem 20 be evidenced by the
interchange Of courtesies between the
British and Italian squadrons at Spezzla.
To say the least. this latter event occur
ing as It does at this particular Juncture
! contains n note Of warning to France
her friends could well wish she would
heed Russia cares nothing for the
Franco-CIerman quarrel. Her policy Is,
and ever has been, utterly selfish. The
Bosphorus and the Dardanelles are her
goal and the ultimate objective point OF
her every movement, whether In the
Balkans or on the Indian border. In order
TO dominate these and acquire what has
been barred her by the treaties Of Paris
and Berlin she would not hesitate to use
France until that Power was exhausted
and then leave her between the upper
and the neither millstones, as represented
by the Triple Alliance and Great Britain.
respectively. If an alliance has really
been concluded between Russia and
France, it IS seriously to be feared that
the festivities can but prove dead-sea fruit
for the French Republic.