The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-11-12
ALL MOONSHINE.
Count Cassini, Russian Ambas-
sadOr to Washington,
Says Spain Has Not Appealed
to Russia In
PHILIPPINE MATTER.
Nor to Any Other Nation of
Europe.
Anticipates No Trouble Between
His Country and England.

Washington, Nov. 1.-THE Russian
ambassador, Count Cassini who is just
back from an extended vacation from
the seashore and mountains, was seen
today at the Russian embassy where he
talked in most interesting manner on
international questions which have at
tracted attention of late, particularly
the reported strained relations between
Russia and Great Britain, growing out
of conditions in China and also the at
tltude of the great powers of Europe
during the recent Spauish-American
war It had been understood that Count
Cassani was about to be transferred to
London, as his long residence in China
where he represented Russia, when Port
Arthur was acquired, would make his
services of special value at this time.
The ambassador says, however, that
Baron De Stael, will continue as ambas-
sador at London and he expresses sat
isfaction that this will permit him to
remain in Washington
When Count Cassani was asked con-
corning the recent reports that Russia
had seized the important Chinese treaty
port of Neu Chwang, followed by great
activity in the British naval yards with
prospect of an open rupture between
Russia and Great Britain, he said that
war rumOrs and that present conditions
gave assurance of continued friendly
relations between Russia and Great
Britain. There had been no conhrma-
ton, he said of the report that Russia
had occupied Neu Chwang and he pro-
ceeded to point out that such an occu-
patton by Russia was quite unnecessary
as she had already acquired the most
advantageous naval and military post
IN that locality, Port Arthur and a COM
mercial port, at Talien Wan. Port
Arthur was not only valuable as a na-
val ana military base but it would serve
as the southern terminus of the great
Trans-Siberian railway when the pro
Ject was carried through. 1t was being
pushed forward rapidly and the am
bassador says the present outlook is for
the completion of the railway within
three and One-half years. One line runs
north to VIadivostOck, where the harbor
on the Pacific is closed for four months
of a year while the southern line terrni-
mating at Port Arthur will give Russia
a Pacific port open the year round both
Tor military and commercial purposes.
During Count CaSSanfS long service
at Pekin, he had an opportunity to meet
the emperor of China and to learn much
of the empress dowager, who has re-
Gently assumed the direction of affairs.
He was not impressed with the ability
or force of character of the emperor
who was weak physically and in his di-
rection of public affairs. Owing to the
prevailing rules, the empress doWager
was never seen, even by members of the
QlpIOmdLlc corps, out Count CaSSanl,
says she was generally known to be a
woman of much ability and as having
a strong influence over the emperor.
Referring to the Philippines, Count
CaSsani said that Russia naturally felt
much interest in the status of those is
lands owing to their proximity to the
eastern possessions of Russia. There
was not warrant, however, he said, for
the reports coming from Paris, that
Russia had been appealed to by Spain
with a view of limiting the claims of the
United States in the Philippines. No
such appeal had been made to Russia
or other foreign governments. Through
out the recent war Russia had main
tanned the most friendly attitude tow
ards the United States and the ambas-
sador said that he did not doubt this
would have a good effect in continuing
the firm friendship which has so long
existed between Russia and the United
States