The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-06-23

Washington, June 22.-The new Russian
ambassador Count Cassini, will be form
ally received by President Mckinley with
in day or two. The coming of the am
bassador at this time when ETope is
keenly alert TO the progress of the war
excites more than ordinary interest, foc
it is known that he brings message of
the heartiest good will on +he part of
the Russian government and one max
ing it quite evident that the existing
friendship between Russia and the United
States viii not be shaken by the events
of the war. He comes from distinguish
ed family and his diplomatic services
have made him an influential factor in
government circles a st. Petersburg. His
last post was at Pekin, where he was in
charge through the serious complication
of Germanys occupation of KiaO-Cn0u,
England occupying Wei-HaiWei and
Russia secured that strongest of all ports
on the China sea, Port Arthur, with its
overland outlet for the trans-Sibcrian
railway. Count Cassani is a linguist
speaking seven different languages, in
Guiding Chinese and other Oriental tongue,
and in his Washington service he is fast
adding English to the list.
When seen at the Russian embassy, the
ambassador expressed his satisfaction at
having the opportunity of renewing at
this juncture the cordial sentiments which
have so long existed in Russia toward the
United States. He said he was author ized
TO give this sentiment the fullest end
most positive expression. The sympathes
between the two countries have become
traditional, he said, and at no time was
the feeling more hearty than at present.
When Count Cassani was asked # the
Russian people and press shared me feel
ing of the Russian government, he an
swered that the people thoroughly shared
in it. AS to the press, however, he said
that its power for good had been deveI-
oped in Russia and there was no establish
ed rule by which a newspaper was looked
upon as a powerful exponent of public
opinion. One Russian newspaper, having
a Jewish editor, has published an article
very unfavorable to the United States,
which the ambassador understood had re-
ceived rather serious attention in this
country as an evidence that Russia was
not entirely unfriendly. But this paper,
Count Cassani said. expressed only the
views of its editor and was without stand
ing with the government, or authority to
express its views. As a matter of fact,
the publication was directly contrary to
the attitude of Russia toward the United
States. As showing how little the Russian
press voice the sentiments of the Russian
government, the ambassador said that
depite the extremely warm relations be-
tween Russia and France, some of these
publications frequently asserted that
France and Russia were at serious odds.
Count Cassani was asked whether Rus
STA looked with apprehension upon the
American occupation of the Philippine
islands. He replied that Russia was nat
urally deeply concerned in any movement
affecting the great problem of the far
east. The Philippines, were, to some ex-
tent, a part or outpost, of the far east.
and who was to control them. !f they
passed out of the control of Spain, was
of interest and importance t. Russia, but
so far as Russia herself was concerned,
Count Cassani said that her sphsre of
activity was confined to the EAR east prop
er, and not to the Philippines and other
outlying islands, which could have only
an indirect and remote influence in the
development of the east.
In response to an inquiry as ID whether
Russia was likely, alone or with other
powers, to look with disfavor upon the
control of the Philippines by the United
States, the ambassador said that he lid
good relations between the United States
and Russia. He added. however, that it
seemed 10 be quite undesirable that the
possession of the Philippine islands should
pass into the hands of England, as that
would seriously disturb the equilibrium in
the far eat