The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-10-28
Threatened Interference Should
England and America
Clash.
DARK OUTLOOK IN THE ORIENT
Fifteen Russian WarShips Headed for
FuSan, the Korean
Port.

WASHINGTON, u. c., Oct. 27.-Com-
plications of the Eastern and Western
hemispheres seem to be strangely inter-
mixed just now, so far as can be Judged
from the general trend OF diplomatic gos-
sip and other confirmatory sources of in
formation. The diplomats of great capi-
tails form circle within themselves, and
by their confidential interchange Of hints,
suggestions and private tips from their
respective Governments frequently arrive
at conclusions as to pending matters of in
ternational policies which are never openly
expressed, and if guessed at in the news
papers are always automatically denied, J"
as the late Secretary Blaine expressed it,
but which are often entitled to grave con-
slderation when they can be approximately
arrived at particularly strong under
current of secret diplomatic information
generally gives some indications discern
ible by experienced observers. Suggestive
manifestations of this kind have been very
noticeable within the last few days with
regard to the Chinese and Venezuelan sit
nations.
Notwithstanding the fact that Shanghai
has been generally and Justly discredited
gard to Chinese and Japanse complica-
tions, statements originating there III re-
spect to treaty with China securing to
Russia a North Pacific terminus for its
great Siberian railroad are generally ac-
cepted here as true. Nor is any doubt cast
upon the statement from the same source
that feet of fifteen Russian warships has
sailed for Fusan, the Korean port nearest
TO Japan, and is barely twelve hours dis
tant from the Japanese mainland. 1t is
also regarded as certain that this move
ment on the part of Russia will bring
about grave complications with Great Brit
ain.-as threatening the security of the
British eastern empire. The general tone
of diplomatic discussion also recognizes
the fact that Great Britain stands alone
among European powers, without one
ally upon whom it could rely.
1t is under these circumstances that the
Venezuelan controversy comes under con-
sideration ana 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 Britain's infraction of the
Monroe doctrine in Venezuela and the al
legged ultimatum said to have been ad-
dressed to that little republic (Which ulti-
matum, by the way, has not yet appeared
in evidence), nevertheless the urgency of
the situation has been recognized in two
very significant ways.
The first has relation to the farewell
visit OF Prince Cantacuzene, the late Rus
sian ambassador, to Secretary Olney. 1t
Is stated on goou authority that the Rus
sian diplomats leave-taking was given
especial significance by his recalling the
ancient friendship of Russia to the United
States, as manifested by the Emperor
Alexander dispatching a Russian squad
ron to New York when France and Eng
land threatened to recognize the Southern
Confederacv. Prince Cantacuzene, it is in
timated, stated in a guarded diplomatic
phrase that should q similar emergency
arise the good offices of Russia could be
again depended upon.
The importance of this interview was
enhanced by an immediate manifesto
ton of excessive courtesy on the part of
the leading remaining members of the
Russian legation toward the Venezuelan
Minister in Washington. Formal visits
were exchanged in manner most unusual
in the intercourse of European diplomat.
States, which intercourse of courtesies has
always hitherto been restricted to public
functions and ceremonial occasions. The
absence of any conceivable motive, except
an expression by Russia of friendly inter
est in behalf of Venezuela in its contro-
versy with Great Britain, for these un-
usual, unaccustomed diplomatic call. has
given them much Importance.
These diplomatic "straws" indicating
the course which Russia would take in the
event of the United States controversy
with Great Britain reaching an acute stage
have brought ont another significant and
unpublished incident which Illus
trates still more strongly how isolated
Great Britain is in her foreign policy.
When Rio de Janeiro was being bonn
barded by the feet of Admiral Mello with
and before our admiral, Ben
ham, broke the blockade, Great Britain pro-
posed TO send a squadron to Brazilian
waters which would outnumber the Amer
lean forces. When this intention was
made known the French Minister in Wash
ngton, by instructions of his Government,
waited upon Secretary Gresham and gave
him the assurance that for every additional
sent by Great Britain France
would send two.
That intimation was enough. No more
British ships were sent, and the attempt
10 re-estab blish Imperialism in Brazil fell to
the ground.