The San Francisco call., 1898-01-03
THE UNITED STATES AND RUSSIA

C HUSSIA'S steadfast advance to position H( of dominant power the Asiatic coast of the Pacific IS rapidly bringing her face to face with the United States. The two nations whose develop ment has been the most formidable factor of inter national politics for the past century and whose friendship has been of the remarkable features of the age are at last to confront another scene where there is likely to be conflict of interest, for both desire trade with China, and the probable outcome of the situation is that will be to engage the thoughts of statesmen in every part of the world.
 The old prophecy attributed to Napoleon that in the coming century the world would be either Repub lican or Cossac has been often recalled All the cir cumstances attending the history and progress of the two nations tend to increase the mpressiveness of the prediction and to encourage belief in ulhllment almost literal
 The reorganization of Russia by Peter the Great in the early part of the eighteenth century in the latter part followed by the erection of the American colonies of England as independent nation. Thus 1 the two powers began their political career almost at the same time Their remoteness did not long keep them from exerting great influence European affairs Both took an important part in the deter imitation of events during the Napoleonc wars, and since that period both have grown great they | other nation.
 In the course of progressive development the re- public outstripped the empire. We reached the Pa cihc coast while Russia was still confined the wild steppes of Central Asia. We constructed our trans continental railway before she dreamed of Slowly but surely however the giant despotism toed after the swift democracy, and Russia has not l only strong position the Pacific, but is con structing a railway which will connect it closely with other portions of the country make it one of the most important features of the empire
 The present crisis may not produce war, and probably will not When this is settled, however, another crisis will come. The national life of China seems exhausted but the commercial and industrial life of the Chinese people has such wonderful poss bilities that all the progressive nations of the earth are eager to gain advantages there for their trade In such condition of affairs crisis will be set tied only to make way for another. Sooner or later the law of the survival of the htest will do its work and the strongest will win. Who doubt that the strongest will be Russia?
 When the period of Russian supremacy in China comes we will have negotiate our interests in the Orient with the Russians Then will the test of our friendship with that country. Then will 1t be de cided whether the republic and despotism can agree to divide the world between them amcable terms, or whether they will grapple in an rrepressibe con
 
 world of the future shall belong of them alone |
 So many curious things happen at San Quentin that the mere circumstance of convicts sending out a prescription calling for quart of alcohol might attract much attention Doubtless, however, there are penal institutions in which prisoner is not ex- pected to diagnose his own ailments, write the prescription therefor The odd feature of this case is that the paper should have been written in Greek characters. Naturally the prison officials could not read it. and their child-ike trustfulness in letting it pass adds interest to the incident
 Many a habitue of Barbary Coast will learn with pain that 200 kegs of American beer were recently dumped into the harbor at Honolulu There is a degree of wastefulness shocking to the Weary Willies
 | A policeman who staggers along his beat under a burden of whisky is in need of retirement than is the sober policeman who walks straight despite burden of years.
 Blanco could save much trouble by packing his autonomy scheme in handsatche and taking him. self and 1t back to Spain.