The record-union., 1898-06-23
RUSSIA STILL OUR FRIEND.
GAR AND THE PEOPLE WITH
THE UNITED STATES.
Count Cassini, the New Embassa-
dor, Brings a Message OF the
Hearticst Good Will.

WASHINGTON. June 22.-The new
Russian ambassador, Count Casslnl,
will be formally received by PRESIDENT
Mckinley within q day or two. The
coming of the ambassador at this time,
when Europe is keenly alert TO the pro-
eresS of the war, eXciteS more than
ordinary interest, for it is understood
that he brings a message of the heart
TEST good will on the part OF the Rus
sian Government and one making 1t
quite eyideEt that the long existing
friendship between Russia and the Uni
ted States will not be shaken by the
events of the war.
He comes from a distinguished fam
fly and diplomatic services have made
him an influential factor of the Gov
ernment at ST. Petersburg. His last
post was at Pekin, where he was in
charge through the serious complica-
tions of Germany's occupation OF Kiao
Chau England occupying wei Hal
Wei and Russia securing that strong
est of all ports on the China Sea, Port
Arthur with its overland outlet Tor
the trans Siberian railway
Count Cassini is a lnguist, speaking
seven different languages, including
Chinese and other Oriental tongues,
and in his Washington service he is
adding English to the list.
When seen at the Russian Embassy
the ambassador expressed his satisfac-
ton at having the opportunity of re-
newing at this juncture the cordial SEN
timents which have SO long existed i'll
Russia toward the United States. He
said he was authorized to give this SEN
timent the fullest and most positive eX-
preston. The sympathieS between the
two countries have become traditional.
he said and at no time was the feeling
more hearty than at present.
When Count Cassini was asked If the
Russian people and press shared the
feeling of the Russian Government, he
answered that the people thoroughly
shared in it. AS to the press. however,
he said that it's power for good had not
been developed in Russia. and there was
no established press rejecting the views
of the Government and serving as a
powerful exponent of public opinion.
One Russian newspaper, having Jew
iSh editor, has published an article
somewhat unfavorable to the United
States, which the ambassador under
stood had received rather serious at
tention in this country, an evidence
that Russia was not entirely unfriend-
ly. But this paper, Count CaSsini said,
expressed only the views of its editor,
ard was without standing with the
Government or authority to express it's
views AS a matter of fact, the publi-
cation was directly contrary to the at
titude of Russia toward the United
States.
Count Cassini was asked whether
Russia looked with apprehension upon
the American occupation of the Philip
pines. He replied that Russia was nat
urally deeply concerned in any move
ment affecting the great problem of the
Far East. The Philippines We're, to
some extent. a part or an outpost of
the Far East, and who was to control
them. if they passed out of the control
of Spain, was of interest and import
ance to Russia, but so far as Russia
herself was concerned, Count Cassini
said that her sphere of activity was
confined to the Far East proper, and
not to the Philippines and other out
lying islands, which could have only
an indirect and remote influence in the
development of the East.
In response to an inquiry as to whe-
ther 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 did not apprehend any change
in the present good relations between
the United States and Russia He
added, however, that it seemed to be
quite undesirable that the possession
of the Philippines should pass into the
hands Of England. as that would seri
ously disturb the equilibrium in the Far