The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-18

Loud and Earnest. by Tw" rrom'"e"'
Russian Generals.

Doubts have been recently tsP'Ss' "
many quarters as TO the existence OIL any
treaty OF alliance between France an"
Russia. The Independence Beige ana some
other Journals have asserted posiuVeiy
that the treaty was concluded last year,
but the subject still furnishes material
for debate I'm the leading newspapers vi
Europe.
The other day the Figaro sent repre-
sentative TO st. Petersburg to gather up
the facts In the case. or at least TO pro-
cure. IL possible. some direct and con
vincing testimony on either side OF the
question. The reporter first saw 6enerai
Tcherniaieff. an attache of the War Coun-
ell Of the Empire.
He expiained the object of his visit. and
the General consented to answer his ques-
lions. on condition. however. that MS
statements should not be represented as
official.
when NJ. Derouede came to Russia"
said the General 1.-THE Franco-Russfan
sympathies were publicly manifested, but
the idea OF an alliance was not yet ripe
At present the necessity for that alliance
dominates all Russian minds. France is
our natural ally. We have not only re-
ciprocal sympathies. but we have idenh-
cal interests and aims"
"Do YOU believe" asked the reporter.
chat n treaty OF alliance has been signed
between France and RUSSIA"
The General looked at the reporter for
a considerable time and remained silent
for few moments. at the court ne
eaid "the alliance with France had many
enemies at first because II was thought
that the Republican regime could not be
brought In accord with the Monarchical
regime. But now these scruples have
vanished. Whoever knows Russia-and
think / do-knows how cordially the Ger
mans are detested among all classes OF
the nation. The nobility the bourSeoisie,
and the people would march with heart
felt Joy against Germany. The next war
will be the most popular Of all the wars
that ever were undertaken by Russia"
General Komarof was the next man
interviewed. He was formerly a staff
officer. and was made a general in 1887.
He has temporarily retired from the mill
tary service to devote himself entirely to
Journalism. He Is the editor-in-chef Of
the Swiet. He Is a personal friend Of
PobiedOnosteseff, the Cars right-hand
man. He is the idol OF the Russian no
bility. with very few exceptions. Thor
oughly Russian I'm the fullest meaning OF
the word, he detests Germany so bitterly
that he IS nicknamed the German
Eater" He is, moreover, like General
Nhfl Ifputtu ~ Dt wen lHlbl
as to the foreign policy of the Russian
Empire. in consequence Of his standing I'm
court.
I'm the Franco-Prussian relations"
said General Kamarof to the reporter,
there are Two things which are absO-
lutely distinct. The sympathy between
the French and the Russians has existed
for a longer period than is generally
known. Everything French pieases the
Russians. and that has been the case
since the days OF Peter the Great. Your
authors are ours. your tastes charm us.
and your sympathies and hatreds finds an
echo in our hearts II the late Emperor
Alexander II. had imagined for a moment
that France. treacherousy drawn into
a trap. would be beaten by Germany in
1870. he would certainly have pursued a
different line OF conduct from the one
which he chose. The preponderancc Of
Germany is as contrary to the interests
Of Russia as il is TO those of France. our
Emperor knows that very well. As to
the existence of a formal treaty between
France and Russia ! am not prepared 10
speak | am convinced that, in case Of
war between Russia and Germany, there
would be n revolution In France If the
Government refused to help Russia. De-
pend upon II. the Franco-Russian al
lance is as popular here with us as 1t IS
with YOU in France. Moreover. as | have
repeatedly said in my journal. 1t is alb
solutely nuerile for us TO be afraid of
Germany Russia and France allied are
stronger than the Triple Alliance. not
only in numbers, but In our military sit
uation. We can attack Germany on both
sides. An army corps would suffice 10
give n good lesson to Italy. and, as for
Austria. she would sue for peace after
the first defeat That is what she has
always done for the past century, and
people don't easily change their old hab-
its Let France speak to Germany with
a high mead. Let her retrieve her mill
tary prestige and show TO her enemies
and her friends alike that she is still the
great nation that once conquered the
world. As for US. our place Is marked
out already by the side of the French
battalions. Just look at the chain OF
nv watch" (AEd here General KOmaroff
handed the reporter his watch chain
which is composed of old German thalers
Joined together by rings. They were coin
ed by the Russians In Berlin In the year
1862. during the reign of Elizabeth Pc
trovna. The Russians occupied Berlin
for . Year,
1--WE held Berlin ut that time" con-
tinued the General. land you had West
phalia. That is what brought about the
first Franco Russian alliance. II we had
remained united we might have avoided
tire war Of 1872. the Crimean war. and the
war OF 1901. But don't forget TO tell
your countrymen that the Russians know
the road to Berlin"