New-York tribune., 1899-06-16
AMERICA AHEAD IN CHINA.
COUNT CASSINI PREDICTS THAT RESULT
OF TRANs-SIBERIAN RAILWAY.
THE RUSSIAN AMBASSADOR SAYS HIS COUN-
TRY FAvoRs AMERICAN OCCUPANCY
OF THE PHILIPPINES BUT
PROPHESIES A LONG FIGHT
AGAINST TAGALS.

PROPHEsIEs LONG FIGHT
AGAINST TAGALs.
Count Cassni the Russian Ambassador TO
this country in a talk with Tribune reporter
at the Waldorf Astoria. said last night that
the Trans Siberian Railway was not built TOT
warke or strategic purposes, but purely Tor
commerce. and he made the prediction that the
United States would reap great commercial ad-
vantages from the railway.
THE impression prevails in some quarters
said the Ambassador. that Russia has SIN
lister motive in putting the eastern terminus OF
the road down in Chinese territory That IS not
the case I had charge Of all the negotiations
for the location Of the line In China, and l am
free to say that It was not possible to make an
eastern terminus in purely Eastern Russia vi
Siberian territory. There were tremendous op
stacles in the path OF such an undertaking An
amicable arrangement with China was hnaly
made and China will be large gamer on ac-
count Of the railway. seven years aeo
when went to Peking as the representative Vi
my government. there was hardly teiesraph
line in the whole Chinese Empire NO" .he'e
are thousands OF miles OF telegraph lines there'
end the prejudice against the lnnoVatioh mas
almost died away. 1t viii be the same way
with the railway. At present there Is d "eroe
prejudice against 1t, but let the natives once
see the benefits and they Will not oppose IT,
The United States will be great gamer o' '"e
building OF the new road The commerce vi
Russia and Eastern Siberia Is very shaii a.
the present time. and 1t Will take years W u
velop It. The United States on the otner manu.
Is already invading Eastern China and siberia
with American manufactures, and as soon as
the new Trans Siberian line is running iooh
to see you distance all competitors
What is the Russian view OF the occupancy
OF the Philippines by the United states!
I'VE are rather glad than otherwise salo the
Count but" he added, smiling slehiican''
you are not half through with your 'rouo,e'
over there yet General Otis needs about twice
as many men as he's using now. Those lasaiS
are a fierce people l know them. as was at
Manila for some time years ago Besloes theg s,
have more men to fight this country ,n nndh -
generally supposed Instead Of nine millions OF
people there are twelve millions The Uhlteu
States will have about the same experience IN
the Philippines as Spain had with Cupa, Win VIZ,
this difference that the United states VIII win
In time Your soldiers are splendid teiio"s:
Their bravery and endurance have astonisned
everybody. In time they Will scatter the rli-
ninos and establish law and order there. japan
il having just such a time In Formosa as the
United States is having in the Philippines. Ever
since the Chinese japanese war Japan has peen
trying to subjugate the rebels OF t1rmosa. .S In
Only the seaports are in possession OF the Jap
anese The United States is too powerful 10
give up the task 1t has assumed in the Phiiip-
pines. J. is unfortunate that the Fllipinos can
~1t realize the Inevitable outcome OF II all, but
they Will not. They will have to be Thoroughly
whipped before this country will be able to do
much in the Philippines"
Alexander Pavlow. Charge d'Affaires Of the
Russian Government at Seoul. Corea. is with
Count Cassini at the Waldorf-Astoria, and VIII
accompany the Count. who is in poor health, to
Carlsbad Germany, where they will spend the
summer Count Cassini, who has been In this
country about year. says Washington does
not agree with him. He suffers from malaria.
Mr.. Pavlow supported the Counts views with
reference to the United States and the Philip
pines and said that the struggle would be a
long one, but that the United States would win
in time. and that the Philippines would prove
of great value to this country.