Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-31
WAR TALK,
Loud and Earnest, by Two Prominent Rus
sian Generals.

Loud and Earnest, BY Two PROMINENT Rus
sian Generals.
From the New York Sun.
Doubts have recently been expressed in many
quarters as to the existence of any treaty Of ali-
ance between France and Russia. The hide
pendance Beige and some other journals have
asserted positively that the treaty was con-
cluded last year. but the subject still furnishes
material for debate in the leading newspapers
Of Europe.
The other day the Figaro sent representa-
tive to st. Petersburg to gather up the facts In
the CASE or at least to procure if possible, some
direct and convincing testimony on either side
of the question. The reporter first saw Gen.
Tcherniaeff, an attache Of the war council OF
| the empire.
! He explained the object of his visit, and the
general consented to answer his questions, on
| condition, however. that his statements should
not be represented as Official.
| "When NJ. Deroulede came to Russia" said
| the general, 1.-THE Franco Russian sympathies
! were publicly manifested, but the idea of an
alliance was not vet ripe. At present the neces-
sity for that alliance dominates all Russian
minds. France is our natural ally. We have
not only reciprocal sympathies, but we have
| identical interests and aims
! do You believe" asked the reporter, 'that
a treaty of alliance has been signed between
! France and Russia
The general looked at the reporter for a con-
| siderable time and remained silent for few
moments 'At the court, )" he said, ''the aiii-
| auce with France had many enemies at first, be-
cause it was thought that the republican regime
could not be brought In accord with the mon
archical regime. But now these scrupies have
vanished. Whoever knows Russia-and think
1 do--knows how cordially the Germans are de-
tested among all classes OF the nation. The no.
bilty. the bourgeoisie and the people would
march with heartfelt JOY against Germany. The
next will be the most popular or all the
wars that ever We're undertaken by Russia
Gen. Komaroff was the next man interviewed.
He was formerly a staff officer and was made a
general in 1887. He has temporarily retired
from the military service to devote himself
entirely to journalism. He is the editor-in-
chief Of the S,oiet. He is a personal friend OF
} Pobiedonosteseff the czars right-hand man.
He is also favorite with the car himself. He
is the idol of the Russian nobility, with very
few exceptions. Thoroughly Russian in the
fullest meaning of the word; he detests Ger
many so bitterly that he is nicknamed the
German Halter d" He is, moreover, like Gen.
Tcherniaieff reputed to be well informed as
to the foreign policy Of the Russian empire, in
J consequence Of his standing in court.
'In the Franco-Russian relations" said Gen.
Komaroh to the reporter, 9TH re are two things
! which are absolutely distiuct-sympathy and
3 interest. The sympathy between the French
r and the Russians has existed for a longer pc
Rod than is generally known. Everything
, French pleases the Russians. and that has been
2 the case since the days of Peter the Great.
Your authors are ours, your tastes charm nj
and your sympathies and hatreds find an echo
] in our hearts. II the late Emperor Alexander
! III had imagined for q moment that France,
r treachorously drawn into trap. would be
beaten by Germany in 1870. he would certainly
n have pursued different line Of conduct from
Q the one which he chose. The preponderance Of
I Germany is contrary to the interests OF Rus
9 STA as it is to those Of France. Our emperor
knows that very we'll As to the existence OF :
e formal treaty between France and Russia
Q am not prepared to speak l am convinced
: that, in case of war between Russia and Ger
Q many, there would be a revolution in France i
d the government refused to help Russia. De
q pend upon it, the Franco Russian alliance is a
popular here with us As it 10 with you in France
), Moreover as have repeatedlys in my journal
it is absolutely puerile for us to be afraid of Ger
Is many. Russia and France allied are stronge
e than the triple alliance, not only In numbers
X but in our military situation. We can attacl
le Germany on both sides. An army corps woult
Is Austria she would sue for peace after the frs
IS defeat. That is what she has always done 70
!, the past century, and people don't easii
'e change their old habits. Let France speak +
Germany with high head. Let her retriev
ly her military prestige, and show to her enemie
Of and her friends alike that she is still the grea
N nation that once conquered the world. As TO
to u.s. our place Is marked out already by the sid
se Of the French bsttaions Just look at tn
e chain Of my watch" land here Gen. komaro,
n handed the reporter his watch chain, which
10 composed of old German thalers Joined Il
iy gether by rings. They were coined by the Rui
slams in Berlin in the year 1852, during tn
reign of Elizabeth Petrovna. The Russians Of
cupied Berlin for year,
I've held Berlin at that time," continued Ia
general, land you had Westphslia. That
what brought about the first Franco Russia
alliance. II we had remained united we migi
have avoided the war Of 1912, the Crimean va
and the war of 1S7O-7i. But don't forget |
tell your countrymen that the Russians kno
the road TO Berlin