The herald., 1897-08-22
RUSSIAN DIPLOMACY

While but few czars have been able
men, Russia, during the last century
more especially, has uniformly mad
strong prime ministers and unusually
astute diplomats Gortchakoff was never
excelled in dramatic art, nor equaled
unless by Talleyrand or Metternich
Russia's dealings with European coun-
tries have been full Of intrigue. Her
diplomatic forces do not all appear Oh
the surface. for she keeps in service nu-
merous secret agents, who resort to all
manner of means to gain information,
and create sentiment favorable to her
interests and designs. No other nation
expends 80 much money in diplomatic
work as Russia.
The Romanoffs and the Russian people
have been in accord in an ambition for
territorial aggrandizement. Since the
partition of Poland there has been no
chance In Europe for the qualification
of that aspiration, except by going south
ward and seizing the Bosphorus. This
has been attempted several times, but
failure has resulted from the obstruc-
tions interposed by some OF the West
ern European nations. which are unwil
ling that Turkey in Europe or any of
the Balkan states shall fall under Russian
domination. The Russian government
fully realizes this and hence has turned
Its attention to Asiatio acquisitions.
Great Britain has been the most OBJ
stinate and energetic opponent to Rus
sia's designs in Europe, and, as the two
nations are approaching each other In
the east, it is the present policy of Rus
sia to raise up friends among the strong
continental nations of Europe.
This is explanatory of the hobnob-
bing Of Russia with France and Ger
cap kaiser has evinced hostility towards
the government and country of his
grandmother, the astute Russ is court
ing him. and from appearances Wilhelm
has fallen under the wand of the czar.
The gushing of the two emperors at
their recent meeting so soon after the
ecstatic demonstrations over the czar
in France is not little puzzling to those
who have not made a study of Russian
methods, for 1t Is known that unfriend-
Illness between the French and German
people is an existing and traditional
fact.
France is at loggerheads with Great
Britain on account of the latter's con-
tinued occupancy Of Egypt. and will
probably bear much before she will
break with Russia. A collision between
Great Britain and Germany In Africa
is more than possible. 1t may be easy
for Russia to prevent hostility between
France and Germany. and certainly to
keep France from aiding Great Britain
should the English and Russians collide
In Asia. Russian diplomacy is suffi
oiently subtle to meet any emergency
and to relieve from any ENHANCEMENT
Austria, which has been wont to take
sides with Great Britain, Is in no posi-
ton to give her active help, as she Is
faced on three sides by three nations,
each Of which is too strong for her sin
gle-handed and alone. II he feels like
it, the kaiser will not dare resent any
kindly display over President Faure
when he visits st. Petersburg. To main
tain cordial relations with Russia is a
necessity arising out of Germany's stu
alton, and the ministers Of the czar
know it. Failure to make the most out
Of whatever the circumstances may be
is rare result of Muscovite manage
ment