Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-30
the Markets.


extraordinary circular note directed by
the Russian Foreign Minister to the
members Of the diplomatic body at St
Petersburg has attracted the earnest at
.ention OF the officials here. CThe note
given elsewhere in this issue.-Ed)
Il IS believed here that the victory
achieved by the United States in the late
war was a contributing factor In the pre-
paration Of the note. It is surmised that
that victory made it clearer az once TO
the European statesmen that to maintain
the balance Of power they would be
Obliged to rodoube their expenditures on
account Of the army and navy. else they
might be outstripped by tho United
States.
REGARDED AS UTOPIAN.
The official mind here looks upon the
Russian project for a general disarna-
ment as utopian at this time, and while
any statement as 90 the attitude Of the
United States toward such conference
rs that proposed is purely conjecturaL
In advance Of the receipt Of the invitation,
the impression prevails that our govern
ment would not care TO take any active
part in its deliberations.
A NOTWITHSTANDING EVENT.
LONDON. August 29-rhe papers are
filed with discussions, comments. and
opinions as to the circular of the Emperor
Nicholas.
'srhe most Notwithstanding event could
hardly have produced such a coup as
this suggestion. the frultion OF which is
regarded on all sides as an absolute i'm
possibility
This being a holiday season, it is diff
fcult 90 obtain tho opinions of public
mea on the subject The religious world,
however. loudly welcomes and praises the
cars noble initiative. Numerous bishops
have already publicly expressed their
Views IN that sense.
or UTMOST IMPORTANCE.
Among statesmen interview Lord Kim
berlv. the Liberal leader declined TO ex-
pross hasty opinion beyond saying that
the proposal was one Of tho utmost I'M
pOrtance
wish the proposal all success"
Sir Charles Dixie, Radical member OF
Parliament for the Forest Of Dean, re-
marked: "The Russian peace-tootng OF
nearly q million regulars exceeds the
peace footing Of Germany, Austria, ana
Italy combined. Thus it has been in RUS
sia's power 10 reduce the land forces by
diminishing her own. in connection with
similar action on the part Of Germany.
FRANCE NOT PREPARED.
"French public opinion is not prepared
for disarmament which would mean, as
things stand now. an acceptance OF the
Alsacc-Lorraine situation Naval dis2rm-
ameut would be dangerous for Great Brl-
tain. Any formal plan would involve SUD-
sequent breaches Of faith, but If Germany
ana Russia will cease increasing their
forces, we can follow without a formal
agreement
Lord, Frederick Roberts. of Kandahar,
commander Of the forces in Ireland, said
in reply TO a request for his opinion: 1T
would be most satisfactory IL such pro-
posal could be carried out"
The Earl of Craven calls the Cars
suggestion Historical utterance' and
earnestly hopes that Great Britain will
not object TO a conference.
NO EXCITEMENT.
No excitement is noticeable az the For
-den Office 1t IS understood that a spe-
ciaI messenger was sent from ST. Peters
burg recently, with a fun explanation or
the Cars proposal.
Naturally. al persons and societies con-
nected with peace and arbitration move
ments are jubilant. The Pope wired his
CONGRATULATIONS 60 Emperor Nicholas I'M
medlately, and offered every assistance In
his power TO promote the proposed con-
ference.
The Times. in its financial article this
morning says:
'sThe Cars circular has had good
effect upon the markets as indicating that
there is no. immediate probability of
war.
CRUEL SUGGESTION.
"Many people remark the fact that
the proposal appears when Russla's power
20 borrow freely is almost ended, and
when she has placed herself I'm positions
I'm China and elsewhere which can be
defended only at great cost"
DIsTRUSTED AS WILD.
PARIS. August 2s.-The French news
papers generally dlstrust the practical
bllity OF the Cars peace scheme, and
clearly indicate that France would make
the restoration Of Alsace-Loraine pre-
requisite TO her participation in tho con-
ference.
GERMANY ALWAYS FOR PEACE.
BERLIN. August 29.--The North Ger
man Gazette. referring to-day 70 the
Cars peace conference proposals, re-
marks
"Our ornaments were never intended
for selfish ends. but only for our own
protection and for the maintenance OF
peace. We arc willing 20 give a fair trial
60 another method OF attaining the object
az a smaller cost"
The National Zeitung says: 1.-The Car
and hts ministers have not demdcd them
selves with the idea that they can rid
the world OF the causes which for years
have been responsible Tor the growing
afmaments Whom a great mower hOw-
ever, addresses such proposals to others,
they Will be recognized everywhere as
deserving OF the most serious considera-
.tion."
WHEREIN 1T Is IMPORTANT.
The Nossschs Zeitung EXPRESSES the
opinion that the importance OF the note
does not lie In the proposal for a con
ference, hut In its conception.
The Post warmly euIogizes the Cars
motives. which. IL adds. must every
Where arouse sympathy"
The Kreuze Zeitung says. mo one can
yet appreciate the real significance OF
the note. Its bitter-swees reception in