Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-10-25
A FRIEND OF PEACE.
THE czAR.s GOOD RECORD
The Russian Ruler Finds Warm Defend
er In Charles Emory Smith, Who
Speaks Highly of His M'jesty's Char
acter

Philadelphia, Oct. 21.-Ex-Minister
Charles Emory Smith, who, during the
time he represented the United States
at st. Petersburg, had ample oppor-
tunity to observe the personal charac-
teristics of the cZar, talked interesting
ly to-day when asked by an Associated
Press reporter-for his impressions as to
have on the Russian empire. Mr..
Smith said:
1.-THE impending death of the cZar
would, in my opinion, be a serious mis-
fortune for Russia and for Europe. 1t
is not probable that there will be any
marked change in the conservative
part of the imperial government. The
policy of the present reign has been
wise. prudent and firm. 1t is likely to
be followed. But In the nature of the
case, with a new and untried sover-
eign, there must be solicitude until the
lines are settled. AS to Russia, In
ternally, the present emperor has CIV
en- her tranquility and stability. There
Is little discomfort, no agitation ana
general devotion to the crown on the
part Of all classes. Unexpected
change necessarily breeds anxiety, but
1t finds loyal public temper, and with
wise counsels it will be easy to move
forward without disturbance.
alexander III. has been an upright
and earnest ruler, less commanding
than Nicholas, less liberal than Alex
ander H.. he has been well balanced.
His personalities have inspired conf
dence, both at home and abroad. He
has been steadfast, conscientious and
straightforward. He has shared the
reactionary tendency which followed
the assassination of his father, and
which has been unfortunate in some of
its developments, but with his firm
policy he has united strong sense of
justice. During the famine of 1892
and 1893 some extreme sOcialistic az
ticles imputed to Count Tolstof found
their way into print. TOlstOi was en-
gagged in relief work. and some of the
ministers of the empire thought it un-
wise to let him go among the peasants
preaching his revolutionary ideas, and
they advised that he be placed under
house arrest. This action was greatly
denounced.
''An English friend of mine, just at
that time. visited for some days at
Tolstoi's home Whenever the clatter
of hoofs We're heard OH the road it was
supposed to be squadron of soldiers
to make the arrest. As matter of
fact. the emperor refused to accept the
advice to place restrictions upon Toll
stoi, saying that while his doctrines
were wrong, he WAS doing a good and
humane work, and must not be inter
rupted in 1t.
mo one could see anything of the
pure and beautiful domestic life of the
emperor or of his laborous devotion to
the responsibilities of the crown, or of
his manifest desire to promote the wei
fare of his people without great respect
for him. He has been Il Russian of
Russians in his feeling and has aimed
to develop the national spirit of his
people. But he has Joined with this
national sentiment deep personal
sense Of right and duty"
In an article which appeared in to-
days Press. Mr.. Smith writes of the
car as follows:
"rhe sudden and swift collapse OF
the cZar in tile very prime of life seems
strange and almost incredible. He is
only 40 years old. He had the stalwlrt
figure and physical prowess of the Ro.
manofrs. Standing six feet two, well
proIbrt!Gned, the very picture of ro.
bust health. about the strongest mail
In Russia. living well ordered life, he
seemed the last of the living sOvereigns
upon WHO'LL uTe.iu ulSeiiSe WOulu lay lts
fatal hand. His moral rectitude and
his upright purpose have matched his
rugged manhood. His. character and
impulses have inspired loyalty and
devotion ut home and respect and conf
d.nce abroad.
"For years he has been the sheet an.
chor of peace in Europe. As crown
prince he won soldierly laurels in tllG
Russo-Turkish war, but as emperor he
has been spremely devoted to continen.
tai peace and has been the surest and
most potent force in maintaining It,
In one hand he moderated the impuls.
i've artlor of France and with the othe,
he warned and checked the aggressive
tendency of Germany. He RESTRAINED
the hostile ~.irit of others and re.
nounced warlike purposes himself,
Had he baen restless and ambitious OF
military glory and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT. he
might easily have applied the torch
which would have set Europe afiama.
But he held steady hand over the
great powers and refused to be dis
turbed and diverted by the pitiful
squabbles of the Balkan states. Calm
cool, firm and self-possessed. he has
conserved the equilibrium and peace
of Europe.