New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-11


important German interests in Asia Minor which
will be aided by the ostenta,ious excursion
planned by him. and this fact Is well under
stood in st. Petersburg.
GERMANY IN THE NEAR EAST
Indeed there has been nothing more remark
able In the diplomacy of the period than the
cleverness with which the German Emperor has
Interested himself in the Near East. when the
attention OF all the European Powers was pre-
occupied with the complex questions and in
trigues Of the Far East 1t is something more
than transitory caprice for it follows pro-
tracted period Of diplomatic activity. during
which he has earned the Sultan's gratitude: and
in spite Of the assumed Russian protectorate at
Constantinople, of the old-time French claim Of
guardianship Syria, and of English occu-
patton of Egypt, the German Emperor with his
religious pilgrims will enter Asia Minor like a
prOspector with German claims ready 70 he
staked out in the future II he finds any signs
OF Land of Promise for effective colonization.
This is the view taken OF his pilgrimage in Rus
sian circles. and disclaimers from Berlin are re-
gardcd with suspicion. Count Muravien may
not be so much Of an optimist as his Imperial
master respecting the practicabty OF disarma-
ment by systematic international action. hut he
has probably perceived the advantage Of divert
ing the attention of Europe from the theatrical
pilgrimage to Jerusalem. The young Car was
too far in the background. and needed 10 be
brought under strong central light OF public
ity. This has been done by the publication Of
the disarmament manifesto.
Other diplomatic motives may be suggested as
probable sources OF influence in determining
Count Muravieff's support of the disarmament
project. Germany. after initiating an agrees
-..A
English criticism. which was centred upon Rus
STA. and steadily increasing IN bitterness.
1t had indeed reached pitch where the First
Lord OF the Admiralty proclaimed that for every
new warship added to the Russian Nevy he
would build a better one Of the same class for
the British Navy Nothing could have been
contrived more adroitly for the purpose Of
breaking the increasing force Of hostile Eng .sh
feeling than the disarmament proposals. Every
English journal has hailed them sign Of
enlightened statesmanship. Within forty eight
hours an entire change has been wrought in the
conditions OF English opinion toward Russia
THE DISAPPOINTMENT OF FRANCE.
on the other hand, the French press Vas been
dazed and bitterly disappointed. France after
all her -fCes; does not wish the signal for
disarmament TO be rc!sod until the lost PROV
inces have been regained II IS plain that Rus
sa has not consulted hor ally. There IS no en-
thusiasm in Paris for the Emperors peace poi
ICY there IS even a bitter sense Of betrayal ~ 4
friend but there are signs that Russia Is finding
the alliance with France source Of embarrass-
mcrt especially since Germany has become
deeply Interested IN ;he future OF Asia Minor.
The i sarrrarl.r.t ropcsals ma, nave tEo effect
Of weakening that alliance ana readjusling inc
relations of the Great Powers.
All these diplomatic motives are inteiisiDlc'
but they leave the manifesto the personal act OF
the young Emperor II reveals his character
his distrust % militarisrn. his progressive ana
enlightened mind. and his sympathy with the
greatest relief measure which can be ordered FOR
longs the honor Of proposing conference when
may place limitations upon national arin--
ments bring about reduction OF Improbable
military and naval budgets, and open The way
for a more rational peace ahan that which Eu-
rope now has In an atmosphere electric with
suspicion The scheme may he impracucahle'
and certainly nobody is bold enough 20 outline
the methods by which II can be carried out. but
the justification is already apparent In the
altered conditions Of English opinion toward
Russia II IT had been proclaimed a month ago
Mr. Goschen would not have asked Parliament
for his additional ships. out Of Holy Moscow
has come a wholesome moral idea which may
leaven the whole lump Of moral civilization.
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