Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-23
RUSSIA FRIENDLY.
A Message Of Good Will Brought to
This Country by Ambassador Cas-
SIM.

WASHINGTON, d. c., June 22.-The
new Russian ambassador, Count Cassini,
will be formally received by President
Mckinley within day or two. The COM
ing of the ambassador at this time, when
Europe is keeny alert to the progress of
the war, excites more than ordinary in
terest for it is known that he brings a
message of the heartiest good will on the
part of the Russian government and one
making it quite evident that the long
existing friendship between Russia and
the United States will not be shaken by
the events of the war. He comes from
a distinguished family and his diplomatic
services have made him an influential
factor in government circles at ST. Peters
burg. His last post was at Pekn, where
he was in charge through the serious
complication of Germany's occupying
Kiao-Chow England occupying Wei-Hai-
Wei, and Russia securing the strongest
of all ports on the China sea, Port Arthur,
with it's overland route for the trans
Siberia railway. Count Cassini is ling
uist, speaking seven languages, including
Chinese and other Oriental tongues, and
in anticipation of his Washington service
he is fast adding English to the list.
When seen at the Russian embassy the
ambassador expressed his satisfaction at
having the opportunity of renewing at
this juncture, the cordial sentiments
which have so long existed in Russia to-
ward the United States. He said he was
authorized to give this sentiment the
fullest and most positive expressinon. 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 this feel
ing of the Russian government, he an
swered that the people thoroughly shared
it. AS to the press, however, he said
that it's power for good had not been de-
veloped in Russia, and there was no es-
tablished press refectia7 the views of the
government and serving as a powerful
exponent of public opinion AS showing
how little the Russian press voiced the
sentiments of the Russian government,
the ambassador said that despite the ex-
tremely warm relations between Russia
and France, some of these publications
frequently asserted that France and Rus
STA were at serious odds.
Count Cassini was asked whether Rus
STA looked with apprehension on the
American occupation of the Philippine
Islands. He replied that Russia was nat
urally deeply concerned in their move
ment affecting the great problem of the
far east. The Philippines were, to some
extent, a part of 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 Importance to Rus
STA. 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 outlying islands. ytlich could
have only an indirect and remote in
fuence in the development of the east.
In response to an inquiry as to whether
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 ii
seemed to be quite undesirable that the
possession of the Philippines should pass
into the hands OF England, as that would
seriously disturb the equilibrium in the
far east.