The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-08-30
THE CARS ENCYCLICAL.

\ ICHOLAS, the Gar and autocrat OF all the
N Russias, has met the reports of impending war
between his empire and any other nation by an
encychcal addressed the powers of Europe re-
quesng them to meet with his representatives in con-
ference for the purpose OF providing way Tor the
maintenance of peace and the disarmament OF the
large armies and fleets which entail such heavy
burden upon the people OF all European countries.
The proposition so startling that the first COM
ments on it were hardly than gasps OF surprise.
A London critic calls it dramatic stroke and says
its effect coming from the Gar almost as great
as if it had come from the Kaiser at Jerusalem. In
Berlin it was said that the note would make good
subject for discussion during the dull season. In
Paris they wondered how the Gar could propose dis
without first consulting France In neither
of the three great capitals of Western Europe does
it appear that the proposal regarded as at all prac
ticable. Everywhere it has been met with cynical
incredibly and a criticism vergng upon ridicue.
There are ample reasons for believing, however
that the Gar quite serious and that he will make
really earnest and vigorous effort to arrange for peace
with the other European powers that will last at
least for the of this generation. He has nothing
to gain and much to lose by the outbreak of hosti
ties and the cost of maintaining his army and navy
in readiness for is heavy burden indeed upon a
people so poor as those OF his empire.
The ambitions of his Ministers, moreover, at this
time are not directed toward and military con-
quests They are constructing railway the
vast Asiatc continent and planning a canal from
the Baltic to the Black Sea These enterprises entail
large expenditures and his fnanciers would gladly be
relieved from the necessity OF providing money not
only for them, but for army and navy besides
It is furthermore to be remembered that the estab
lishment of the proposed peace would not any way
check the advance of Russia in Asia prevent the
expansion Of her empire. Now that she has obtained
from China control of port the Pacific that is
and trust to diplomacy, colonization and commerce
to win for her all that she wishes in that part of the
world. AS for the long desired extension southwark
toward Constantinople that is matter that wait
In the meantime diplomacy do much in that d-
recton also and virtually make Turkey dependency
of Russia
The proposal of the Gar is therefore one we'll cal
culated promote the interests of his empire There
is no reason why he should not urge it with all his
force and influence. 1t is one that appeals to the
sympathies of good men, the desires of the peas
antry of all countries be relieved from heavy taxes
and military duties, to the interests of industry and
that great commercial class which has become so
powerful in the world and finally it appeal also
to the wisdom of statesmen who have been long
struggling with the complexities OF the existing
to be an important 1t has been met at first with
cynicism and rdcue but will be treated seriously
before long