The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-01-17
The Cars Peace Project.

ritins 't the 'Aa Attentions sr Of IS the h"
armed powers to his interna-
tional conference for the promotion Of
peace, measures for increasing the mil
itary efficiency of Russia are zealously
pursued. The observations of an En-
glish correspondent al Russian military
posts and naval stations reveal the
greatest activity in the Improvement
of the army and navy. Some excuse
for the inconsistency can be found in
the intended increase of the German
army and in the threatening prepara-
tons of England. Yet, if the Russian
ruler desires to promote the disarma-
ment of Europe, it would seem to be
his duty to stay the increase of his
own enormous armament, or even to re-
duce it.
The truth of the situation is that the
autocrat is not really master in Rus
STA. The military party and the
party of Pan-Slavism are stronger
than he. Those forces, sustained of
course, by the natural physical ex-
pansion of the empire, drive him on.
The Russian people, much as they have
suffered by military government and
by war, are thoroughly persuaded that
they have a great destiny they believe
that they are to bring a still larger
portion of the world under their do
minion. For this they are willing to
shed their blood. endure the hardships
of Asiatic campaigns, and bear a
crushing burden of taxation.
The creation of standing armies,
which marked the beginning of the de-
cline of feudalism, furnished a ire
mendous engine to the pride and am
bition of peoples, as well as princes.
AS the wealth of nations increased, it
was inevitable that these establish
ments should be enlarged. France was
the power most alert to seize the op-
portunities presented by the existence
of trained soldiery, ready to hand.
The aggressions of Louis XIV. were
made possible by his possession of this
weapon. Bonaparte employed it in
pursuit of his dream of universal en-
pire. But, if France for several hun
dred years was often the leading dis
turber of the peace of Europe, that
doubtful distinction has passed to Rus
STA, whose design for making Europe
"Cossack' was perceived by the Lit
tie Corporal eighty years ago. To
check that power the Crimean war was
fought; and more than twenty years
10 he
through the agency of Lord Beacons-
field. In our own day resistance to the
COssack has been rendered difficult by
the policy of the French. which has
brought them into alliance with the
Russians. No doubt this alliance has
been weakened by Russia's failure to
support the French republic stoutly in
its diplomatic contest with Great Brit
ain; but it is still the chief obstacle
to the policy of disarmament suggested
by Nicholas II.
When the peace congress assemblies
it will be seriously embarrassed by
the circumstance that the great DOW
ers are still arming, and Russia, which
issued the invitation. is foremost in
preparations for another appeal to bat
tie. y second discouraging feature is
that the diplomacy of St. Petersburg
has always been VIGOROUSLY insincere
No other court is regarded with quite
| as much distrust. Even positive
pledge by Russia to disband a part of
her organization would be received with
some suspicion. How can the great ma
tons discharge their soldiers when they
are intent, one and all, on increasing