New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-02-05

HE sTOUTLT ASSERTS RUssTAs FRIEND
SHIP For AMERICA DURING THE WAR.

HE STOl-TLsI ASSERTS Rl SSlAS fKlI.N -
SHIP FOR AMERICA DURING THE WAR.
London Feb ETHAN Allen Hitchcock. the
firing American Ambassador TO Russia. who was
recently appointed United States Secretary OF
the Interior arrived IN London to-day on
his way 20 Washington lie carries home
the strongest pro-Russan sympathIes. In an inter
view Mr. Hitch ock denounced emDhatcaly the
stories current since the beginning Of the Hspano-
American War. that Russia was member Of a
coalition II Continental Powers which would have
INTERVIEWED IN the dispute had not England re-
fused to Join them.
These stories are utterly unfounded.' said Mr..
Hitchcock. There has never been single item
u proof produced TO sub-ta1tlate them. and on the
contrary Russia has been most friendly toward
the United States and has manifested that friend
ship during past years In many ways Of which
my position forbIls me- 20 speak
"Unfortunately. the Russian Government IL so
constituted that II cannot do much talking In
such case as the present. but can only walt for
zine 20 aford opportunities for proving the truth
When these opportunities arrive its friendship VIII
be- demonstrated The false impressions which
have arisen are very unfortunate and. think, are
largely due 70 the utterancos Of Russian news
papers certain Of which are popuarly supposed TO
be official organs whereas he suppostion IS
utterly unf0unded. as they represent the Govern
men, no more lhan independent sections Of the
American press represent that Government
In cTitflsug domestic pOntlCS lne RUSSIAN
papers must be cautious. but when IL comes to
foreign affairs thcy are allowed degree OF liberty
and even license. which surprised me. OF course.
II they say things that interfere with the Gov
crnment's plans they may be cautioned and told
that they are lnJudicious but ordinarily they are
entirely mhampored."
Like most persons making the acquaintance OF the
car. Mr. Hitchcock mas profound admiration 'or
the Young potcptate and expresses himself strongly
a. 10 his frankncs~ sincerity and enterprise AFTER
the formal presentation OF his letters Of recall on
saturday last M Hitchcock had long personal
.alk with the car and Count Murlyeff. the Rus
sian For i'm Minister He SCOTS At the idea that
the cars peace propaganda Is inspired by any but
the highest motives Regarding the cars proposal
looking 20 the umlta ion Of armament Mr.. Hitch
The car IS H. no wise discouraged by the recep-
ZION his plans for checking the Increase or arma-
H. desires Immediately. but is Arm in the belief that
his views must prevail in dine. and not far distant
time"
Mr Hitchcock was delayed for fortnight by the
difficulty ne encountered in arranging for recep-
tion 10y the car on account OF the winter testYl-
ties which in progress and IN which the mem
hers Of the royal family participated acuNely inc
car attending reunions Of various regiments and
his family will not go 10 Washington until the fal.
Mr. Hitchcock not desiring to take "A house there
so near the close of the season The members OF
the retiring Ambassadors family are now In Berlin.
and will spend some time i'm Italy and az Constantl-
NOBLE Mr. Hitchcock will 1--we at the Arlington
Hotel He will assume the duties ~ his new posi-
ton Immediately upon his arrival H. " Shlngtoh.
degrading his selection by President Mckinley as
Mr. Rliss's successor he remarked My appoint
mcnt was az much a surprise To me as it could
have been TO tn" public.