Omaha daily bee., 1898-06-12

RUSSIA AND

The relations between Russia and the
United States have always been most
friendly. The Russian government was
among the earliest to declare neutrality
after the commencement of the wal wi il
Spain. AT that time no II thought thar
Russia would, under any circumstances,
take an active concern in the conflict.
That nation was confidently counted upon
to maintain the long standing friendship
and to be a check upon any European
power that might desire OF attempt to
intervene in the war.
But almost daily reports from Europe
allege that Russia is disposed to join
with other powers in an effort to bring
about n cessation of hostilities between
the United States and Spain and that
the Russian government is willing to
take the initiative. We cannot say
whether or not credence should be given
to the reports. They emanat from
Vienna, where sympathy with Spain is
strong and everything possible is
being don to create sentiment
in Europe favorable to interven-
ton. This warrants diStrust, but the
u~nfriendly u%tterances of some Russian
are not reasSuring. Not
long since a leading paper of st. Peters
burg, whose ~utterapceS on diplomatic
questions it is said must pass official
censorship, declared that America must
voluntarily submit her pretensions to a
tribunal of the powers and affirmed
that we cannot avoid doing this, as our
position, with Two long Inc exposed
coast lines, is not such as could with
stand the combined fleets of We or
three European powers. Let Europe
raise her mighty voice. exclaimed the
Russian journal. "and restore that peace
which mankind looks for" 1t urged
that if the United States should reject
such Il peace as the powers nay choose
to dictate the combined fleets of two
or three of them should be brought in
to UNNECESSARILY extend the conflict.
1t may be doubted whether this repre-
sents the general feeling in Russia. 1t
| am be believed that the Russian gov
eminent has any sympathy with Spain
or II disposition to coerce the United
SltteS. bul IL Is uOI ulilicuil u uuueG-
stand that that government may TAKE a
very deep interest in our occupation of
the Philippines and he question it
raises of our future relation to affairs
in eastern Asia. 1t is conceivable that
Russia may not look with favor upon
the possibility of the United States hold.
ing permanent possession of the Philip
pines and becoming a potent factor III
far eastern affairs. This might mean
some interference with Russian plans in
that portion of the world. Still we do
not think that even to prevent this TAX
ing place Russia would join other pow
erS in an attempt to coerce the United
States, as the st. Petersburg paper
urged. She has no fleet to spare for
service in American waters, nor has any
other European power except Great
Britain and that power a be de.
pended upon to oppose any scheme of
forcible intervention, under whatever
circumstances projected.
European nations do not want the con
fict extended. They are most anxious
TO prevent this, probably none more SC
than Russia. Whatever concern that
nation may have in the question of the
future influence of the United States in
the affairs of the far east Will not, il
is safe to say, lead it to take any action
hostile to this country.