The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-07-01
A TALE OF THREE NATIONS.
From the Chicago Inter. Ocean.

From the Chicago Inter Ocean.
The policy of no ether European nation
toward the UIited States has been more
clearly defined or more strongly stated
than that of Russia. The reasons that led
to the adoption of that policy are strong
er now than they were forty years ago.
In so far as Russian friendship is mat
ter of sentiment, it has grown stronger
as Americans have become better in
formed as to Russian character and de-
velopment In so far as this friendship is
a matter of self-interest with Russia, the
growth of the United States and the at
titude of Great Britain have strength
ened it. The logic of events is not driv-
ing Russia and the United States apart,
but is rather driving them toward ach
other.
Alexander III of Russia said to a distin-
guished American that he sent the Rus
sian fleet to New York during the civil
war as a matter of policy, as well as
matter of frier dship. He OWNED that
Great Britain would gladly zee the Union
dissolved because the breaking up would
weaken or destroy her greatest CONNER
cial rival. He foresaw that if the great
est commonwe alth in America was
broken into fragments the political. naval
and commercial power of Great Britain
would be increased. His country and his
people had he sympathy, encouragement
and friendship from the United States,
while they had had jealousy, rivalry and
hostility from Great Britain. lie sent the
Russian fleet to American waters be-
cause he desired to assist the United
States. but more than all, he said, be-
cause he desired to promote the interests
of his beloved Russia.
The Russian fleet came to American
waters when Louis Napoleon and Great
Britain were contemplating a demonstra-
tion in favor of the Confederate govern
ment. They were seeking an excuse to
embarrass the United States government.
They thought they had found it. But
Russia came out openly against all
schemes of intervention, and, in answer
to a latent threat from Louis Napoleon,
ordered her fleet to American waters.
This certainly gave the Unionists great
encourag cement, and from that time
Americans have been on impulse friendly
to Russia.
AS early as 1858 American capitalists,
constructors, engineers and mechanics
were invited to investment and expert
ment in Russia. Since that time Russia
has been inclined to patroniZe our ship
builders, our railway constructors, and
has never Disseminated against u.s. AS
soon as the battleship Oregon had ma de
her famous trip around the continent
Russia opened preliminary negotiations
for construction at our shipyards of bat
tleships on the same model AS soon as
the Vesuvius was tested at Santiago Rus
sian agents were active in inquiry and
negotiations were entered into looking to
additions to the Russian navy of dyna-
| mite cruisers TO be constructed by Amer
lean shipbuilders. When the Trans-Si-
berian railroad was to be extended to
Port Arthur, and when other railroads in
China tributary to the Russian road were
to be built, American engineers and
American capitalists were consulted.
Russia, so far as development is con
cerned, is the youngest and most virile
nation in Europe. She is developing along
the lines that have given the United
States prosperity, influence and strength.
Her policy of development is at every
point in sympathy with that of the United
| States. At every point where II is
crossed by British ambition there is hos
| tility. The United States is more than
ever the commercial rival of Great Brit
ain. The new national policy will not
make her less rival, nor will it bring her
into conflict with Russia.