The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-10-28
INTERNATIONAL POLITICS
Complications of the Eastern and
Western Hemispheres.
THE ISOLATION OF ENGLAND
Action of tho United States in the venc.
Ruclan Matter Is Awaited with In.
tcrcst-Russia's Friendship.
Bio Janeiro Episode.

Washington, Oct. N-Complication
Of the eastern and western hemispheres
seem to be strangely intermixed just
now. So far as can be judged from the
general tend Of diplomatic gossip and
other cOnflrmatory sources OF tnfor-
nation, the diplomats of great capitols
form a circle within themselves and by
their confidential interchange of hints,
suggestions and private tips" from
their respective governments frequent
ly arrive at conclusions as to pending
matters of international politics which
are never openly expressed, and II
guessed at in the newspapers are al
ways "diplomatically denied" as the
latte Secretary Blaine expressed, but
which are often entitled to grave con-
sideration when they can be approxi-
mately arrived at.
A particularly strong undercurrent
of secret diplomatic information gener-
ally gives some surface indications dis
cernible by experienced observers.
Suggestive manifestations OF TINS
kind have been very noticeable within
the last few days, with regard to the
Chinese and Venezuelan situations.
Notwithstanding the fact that Shan-
ghai has been generally and justly
discredited as the source of accurate
Japanese complications. statements or
iginating there in respect to a treaty
with China securing to Russia a north
ern pacific terminus for its great ST.
berian railroad are, generally accepted
here as true Nor is any doubt cast
upon the other statement from tne
same source that a fleet of fifteen Rus
Sian warships has sailed from F'usa1,
the Korean port nearest to Japan, anu
barely twelve hours distant from the
Japanese mainland. 1t is also regard
ed as certain that this movement on
the part of Russia will bring about
grave complications with Great Brit
ain as threatening the security or the
British eastern empire. The general
tone of diplomatic discussion also rec
ognizes the fact that Great Britain
stands alone among European powers,
without one ally upon whom she could
rely.
Tho Venezuelan Controversy.
1t is under these circumstances that
the Venezuelan controversy comes I'm
der consideration and becomes mixed
up with the threatening eastern war
cloud. While it is not supposed that
hostilities between the United States
and Great Britain can result from Britt
Venezuela and the alleged ultimatum
said to have been addressed to that
little republic (Which ultimatum by the
way has not yet appeared On evidence)
nevertheless the urgency of the situa-
tion has been recognized lin two very
significant ways.
The first has relation to the farewell
visit of Prince Cantacuzene, the late
Russian ambassador TO Secretary o.
ney. 1t Is stated on good authority that
the Russian diplomats leave taking
was given especially significance by his
recalling the ancient friendship Of
Russia ito the United States as mani
tested by the emperor Alexander dis
patching a Russian squadron to New
York when France and England threat
ened to recognize the southern confed-
eracy. Prince Cantacuzene, it is said.
intlmated, in guarded diplomatic
phrases. that should similar emergency
arise the good offices of Russia could be
again depended upon. Tine Importance
of this interview was enhanced by am
Immediate manifestation of excessive
courtesy on the part of the leading re-
maining members of the Russian 1ega-
tion toward the Venezuelan minister
in Washington. Formal visits were ex-
changed in a manner most unusual In
the VI TsuIppSdI
and the representatives of several Of
the American states whose Interchange
of courtesies has hitherto been re-
stricted TO public functions and cere-
monial occasions.
Diplomatic Straws.
The diplomatic "straws" Indicating
the course which Russia would take In
the event of the United States contro-
versy with Great Britain reaching an
acute stage have brought out another
significant and hitherto unpublished
incident which illustrates still more
strongly how completely isolated Great
Britain is in it's foreign policy. When
Rio Janeiro was being bombarded by
the fleet of Admiral Mello with view
to the restoration of the Portuguese
monarchy and before ever Admiral
Benham broke the blockade Great
Britain proposed to send a squadron to
Brazilian waters which would out
number the American force. When this
intention was made known the French
minister at Washington by instruc-
tions of his government waited upon
Secretary Gresham and gave him the
assurance that for every additional
warship sent by Great Britain France
would send two. This intimation was
enough. No more British ships were