The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-29


has not maturely considered. 1t is a
vision which has occurred to many
minds but had always to be dismissed
as mere dream. The nations are not
likely to agree TO his proposition unless
they have better warrant than paper
protocols and conventions. Moreover,
the moment does not seem altogether
propitious. New armed nations are aris-
ing in Asia and America. whom it
might not be easy to convince of the
safety and desirability of abandoning
the enterprise on which they have en-
barked with so much energy"
Enumerating the many obstacles of
the attainment of the object sought, the
Standard suggests that the czar has the
matter largely in his own hands, add
ing: If Russia would abandon her ag-
gressive policy in China and elsewhere
the era Of universal peace would be
perceptibly nearer"
The Times correspondent in st. Pet
ersburg says: The proposal for a con-
ference, which was made by the czar
Wednesday through the medium of the
foreign ambassadors at St. Petersburg,
has been kept profoundly secret until
to-day at the express wish of Count
Muravieff, the foreign minister, so that
II might first be promulgated on the
day of the unveiling of the monument
in the Kremlin to Alexander II.
There is reason to believe that II
formed the object of communication be-
tween the courts of St. Peterburg and
Berlin some time previously and in all
probability the support of Germany, at
least, was secured in advance.
Russia, with her chronic famines and
her large enterprises in the far east to
provide for out of a budget which is
being drawn upon more and more each
year for materials of war in order to
keep peace with the other powers, must
naturally feel the want of international
cooperation in her present policy of
peace and it's economical develop
ments."
The Daily Chronicles Paris corre-
spondent declares that the disarma-
ment proposition would have emanated
from Emperor William in Jerusalem,
If the cars advisers. including, per-
haps, M. HanotauX, had not forestalled
the emperor's project.
Editorially, the Chronicle saws: 1.-The
cars encyclical is assuredly one of
the most striking documents of the
century. 1t could only have been more
dramatic If the kaiser had issued il
from the birthplace of the prince of
peace.
Looking to the present attitude of
Russia i'm the east, the proposal almost
takes ones breath away. A cynical
view is plainly obvious. Russia has
just secured a series of vast territorial
and diplomatic advantages which ii
Will take years to assimilate. She is
face to face with famine, a revolt of the
Poles is threatened and is threatened
by other powers, and there are signs of
a dissolution of the Russia French al
lance. Happily the humanitarian view
is equally clear and convincing.
THE cZar, hitherto Overborne by vet
eran and obstinate advisers, has now
asserted his natural desires. He is one
one of only two men who could make
the proposal without fear of being mis-
understood. Great Britain and the
United States will certainly welcome
the proposal If another great power
does also. much will be gained in the
desired direction"
The Daily Mail says: IF the czar
has not been, the emperor would surely
have been the dramatist. 1t is too
much to hope for the realization, but
some good ought to come Of 1t in the
way of a better understanding of the
powers"
The Daily Telegraph says: THE idea
is so beautiful that we are reluctant to
throw cold water upon ii, but what is to
be the basis of discussion? A confer
ence which should recognize that free
and open markets are for the advantage
of the civilized world would indeed pave
the way to universal peace, but short
of this we fear the gathering will prove
abortive."
The Daily News says: "The czar by
this message, has acquired a more right
eous and enduring fame than belongs TO
the proudest conqueror OF his illustriou
house. There is no quarter from which
such a manifesto would produce a more
profound impression. Hitherto the
great obstacle was that nobody would
begin. The czar cannot be suspected Of
making a virtue of necessity. We shall
hardly be wrong in attributing the
policy TO the czar himself.
1t it not the pen Of Nicholas, but the
doctrine of Golden"
The Morning Post, discussing the diff
fculties in the way of the proposal, ar
rives at the conclusion that ii would
suit Russia's needs and designs wonder
fully well, but would not suit England
at all.
The Times says editorially: 1.-The
note breathes a spirit of generousness,
indeed, almost QuiXotic hu-
spirit familiar in the effu-
sions of Missionaries, but too seldom
found in the utterances of great SOW
ereigns and responsible statesmen.
Never, perhaps, in modern history
have aspirations which good men in all
ages have regarded as at once ideal
and unattainable, found so responsive
an echo in the councils OF one of the
greatest and most powerful of the
worlds rulers. In principle the propos-
ais of the cZar, put forth on a solemn
occasion with a remark of dsinterested
sincerity, will command the sympathy
and respect of all men of good will. So
far as Great Britain is concerned. we
long ago abandoned continental ambi-
tions. and there is no power in the
world which has less to gain or more
to lose by any disturbance of the exist
ing territorial status quo.
THE time has long gone by when
British commerce could be made 10
flourish in and by means of war. The
greatest OF our interests is peace, and /
so sensitive is our world wide COM
merce that even rumors often do more /
injury than war itself might do TO
power less dependent than il Great |
Britain on a free interchange with the I
world Of manifold products of its na-