Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-12-27
.RUSSIA'S GOLD OFFER
Arguments Of Those Who Oppose It
Acceptance.
End she PROBABLY HAS In VIEW
This Government Ought Not to Be
Controlled by Any Foreign Power.
A POPULAR LOAN NEEDED

Inquiry amorg the politicians develops
the fact that the opinions of many of them
about the reported offer of Russian gold
are withheld until particulars are forth
coming. Russia has gold. The estimate OF
SS0O,OOOOOO is probably conservative She
has been boarding the yellow metal ever
since the close of her war with Turkey,
I ow almost twenty years ago. Her object
has been plain, and almost openly con-
fessed. Her experience with England at
that time convinced her that sooner or
later she would again be in collision with
that powe and that she must prepare for
the struggle. Her first step was to begin
to fill her strong box She is believed now
to have it full; and yet, just when it is full,
and her old enemy is again coquetting with
tine Turk and Strengthening herself in the
east, she is reported to be willing and even
anxious to part with half of her treasure
as matter of friendly accommodation to
the United States.
Not II PhilnnthrOpist.
Assuming the story to be true, the ques-
ton comes up. should the United States ac-
cept this offer? Should she put herself so
completely INTO the power of foreign ma
ton, which although friendly enough in
the past, is yet SO antagonistic in aim and
principle to this government that any close
alliance might prove disastrous to the
United States? Russia Is not philan-
thropist She takes interest on her loans.
and demands a good rate. She is not work
ing for the enfranchisement of the human
race. She stands distinctly for despotism.
and when the condition of her own people
is taken into account. it is seen that she IS
likely so to stand for a very long time to
come. What is 1t, therefore, that actuates
no n m A strengthen
friendly relations between her and the
United Stateso A desire to participate in
the glory of keeping this hemisphere con-
secrated to free government? Or has she
hopes of playing by such means upon her
old enemy across the water? Is the United
States being coddled to help Russia thrash
England?
What Might Happen.
1t is thought that the advocates of Rus
sian alliance prove too much-admit too
much. They point out how potential money
is In time of war; and therefore, how strong
Russia Is at this time, being so rich. That
is admitted. But they go further, and
show that 1t was Russia, obeying some law
of financial self-preservation, that caused
the panic at the time of the failure of the
Barring Brothers. She called in portion
of her heavy loans and down went the
biggest banking firm in the world Could
such fate? Suppose she parts with an
enormous block of her securities to Rus
STA, does she not put herself In great
measure into Russia's power? VIII she not
commit herself to Russia's aims and ends
at least so far as England Is concerned?
Suppose, after making such an alliance
she should draw back, being unwilling to
support the full Russian program. would
not Russia at once proceed to unload Amer
lean securities hoping to repeat her stroke
of power in the case of the Barring Bros?
Last week the bare report that the Roths-
childs had decided to withdraw So, 100000
profound sensation in Wall street, and in
creased the area of gcose-1esh all over
this country. Suppose the amount had
been four hundred millions or even the
half of that, and the report had been true;
what could have stayed the panic on this
side that would inevitably have followed?
Avoid Foreign EntnnElements.
Should this government throw itself into
the arms Of any fol e:gn power at this
time, and to forward the end 1T has now in
view? 1t has just reannounced a principle
that means much or Eothing. 1t is the
champion of free government in the west
ern hemisphere, or it is not. 1t has taken
a step which must be adhered to or aban-
doned. If adhered to, that step calls for
other steps. If this government is to hope
to maintain the Monroe doctrine 1t must
strip for the fray No more foreign evils
of any klrd. All of Europe, If the situation
tightens. will be on the other side. Russia
would use this government against Eng
land If possible, but, failing in that, would
be likely to put an end to any alliance that
had been formed. Could she be expected to
support the United States in any heroic
stand for the preservation and propagation
of republican principles? Would it not
make the United States ridiculous in the
eyes of the world to accept such support,
even If obtainable, in such a cause?
A Popular Loan.
The remedy at this time? The PROPOSE
ton Is that If more bonds are necessary
offer them here at home. Make the loan
popular one. Give the American people all
opportunity to show how readily they will
rally to the support of their own govern
ment. The money, it is asserted, can all
be obtained here.
INDEX TO ADVERTISEMENTS.