The Independent., 1898-05-20

WASHINGTON, May 0.)
A leading Russian diplomat said
to-day that the cable report from
London stating that Emeror Nicho-
las OF Russia was much disturbed as
to the ultimate destiny OF the Philip
pines, and that some sort Of immedi-
ate intervention was probable, was
entirely unwarranted and placed
Russia in very misleading position
before the people of this country.
He says the sentiment throughout
Russia, off cial and unofficial, is one
Of extreme cordiality toward the
United States, and it shows there
will be no change in the traditional
friendship existing between the
United States and Russia. The
friendly feeling, he pointed out, was
shown by the Russian newspapers
which arrived in the mail to the
Russian Embassy yesterday. They
we're published just after the declar-
alton of war, aud their comment
was, without exception, OF the most
friendly character toward the United
States. He said this feeling pre-
vailed to a marked extent even
among the peasantry of Russia, and
it was a matter of surprise to him
under such circumstances that re-
ports should be circulated in the
United States that Russia was about
to assume an unfriendly attitude to-
ward this country.
The Russian ambassador, Count
Cassini, is expected here some time
next month. He is now at st.
Petersburg, after having conducted
the negotiations at Peking resulting
in the Russian occupation Of Port
Arthur. To-day is a Russian holi-
day, being the saints day after
whom the Empress was named. Ac.
cordingly, some OF the Russian Off
cials went to Fort Monroe, where
they will have the opportunity Incl
dentslly OF seeing Commodore
Schley's flying squadron.
General Mertwego, the Russian
naval and military representative
here, has not yet arranged to go to
Cuba, aud it is felt the important
operations are still some time off
At the several foreign headquart-
ers to-day the speech Of Lord Sails
bury before the Primrose Club last
night was regarded as deeply slgni6-
cant, in that it was the frst express
sion from a high official source
clearly indicating the sympathy Of
the British Ministry in the present
course OF the United States.
In British quarters Lord Sails
bury's speech is received with much
satisfaction, az another evidence OF
cordiality between this country and
Great Britain. At the same time it
is stated with the greatest positive
ness that this friendly feeling has
at no time taken form in the way Of
an entente, or understanding OF any
kind. 1t is regarded as none the
less helpful, as leading toward fur
ther cohesion and sympathy between
the English-speaking people on
both sides of the water
The Paris report that the United
States "has promised to capture the
Canary Islands and cede them to
Great Britain" is characterized at
the State Department and by lead
ing diplomats as purely fanciful
The State Department gives a
specific denial.
The foreign embassies and lega
tions have received notification from
the State Department that any
cipher cables they may desire to
send to their Consuls at Havana
Porto Rico or other Spanish posses
sions will not be interrupted ol
censored.
The japanese Minister, Mr.. Hoshi
was among the callers at the State
Department to-day. He had mo-
heard from Manila and thought in
formation might come by way o
Formosa, to which place Japan hae