Washington sentinel., 1899-08-19
M. DELCAssR's VrsIT TO THE EMPEROR
OF RUSSIA.

M, DELCAssR's VIs1r TO THE EMPEROR
OF RUSSIA.
If'NeS.-London, August Z.
A few years ago, when Prince Bis
marck's restless activity dominated the
imagination of Europe and when his
hand was seen in every political event,
the autumn invariably brought, along
with the sea serpent and the prodigious
gooseberry, some journey, or interview,
or prOnouncement upon which was
founded a mass of abstruse political
speculations. The minutest incidents
suddenly assumed portentous signi6.
canoe, and the Horoscope OF Europe was
cast and recast in the light OF indications
as obscure as those which guide the
professional palmist. Happy in those
days was the diplomatist, and happier
still the Minister, whom business or
pleasure called to certain foreign capi.
tails He became the cvnosure Of all
eyes, and the theme of scores of elo-
quent pens. But the fashion
of this world passeth away, and we
doubt whether a pulse will beat the
quicker for the information we publish
this morning that M. Delcasse, the
French Minister of Foreign Affairs, left
Paris Yesterday for ST, Petersburg.
Ostensibly he goes to make arrange
ments for the visit of the Tsar to the
Paris Exposition next year, and it is
quite possible that the explanation will
be generally accepted. a few years
ago 1t would have been treated with
polite and elaborate ircredulity, It
would have been asked with an air Of
proiundity why it should be necessary
for a Foreign Minister to arrange in
person what might easily have been
managed by the French Ambassador,
and a dozen alarming theories would
have been founded upon The suspicious
inadequacy Ofthe motive assigned.
Il is OF great importance that the Tar
should lend his powerful influence to
add to the success and dignity of
national demonstration, and It is doubly
natural that extraordinary emphasis
should be gwen to the invitation because
the French Foreign Minister is returning
at the same time the courtesy OF Count
Muravieff's visit to Paris. We all know,
however, that there are other things
which M. DeIcasse may well wish to
discuss personally in st. Petersburg.
There is another sovereign who is cred.
tied with the desire to be present at the
Exhibition, and whose oveEtures to
France have not been viewed with entire
satisfaction in the Russian capital It
is possible that so delicate a question
calls for more intimate treatment than
the ordinary business of every day
diplomacy. Great Powers are extremely
jealous in their friendships They do
not view with approval any approach to
the proverbial RIsHaRe HOIS, There
is no reason why France, while the ally
Of Russia, should not be on good terms
with Germany as Russia herself IS. But
to be on good terms is one thing, and
to exchange marked attentions is
another. IL is true that Russia has not
put herself greatly about to please
France, and IN initiating the Peace
Conference she even appeared to treat
her ally % manner calling for some
explanation. Still she may none the less
think herself entitled to some explana,
ton concerning the yaBpyOcbeOEeNt with
Germany and the visit of NJ Delcasse
may very we'll be intended to effect
removal of slRh misunderstandlngs on
both sides
Daily Gypbbic-London Aug g.
Among the hypotheses gravely set
forth by writer's who really ought to
know better is one to the effect that NJ.
Delcasse and cunt Muravief are gong
to spend the Cog days IN devising a plan
ofintervention in South Africa
France and Russia are allies, and they
have consequently a great deal to talk
about. Ever since there have been
alliances the sovereigns and ministers
| OF States standing iu such a relation 20
| each other, have found it necessary TO
indulge m little personal 10 tercourse
| occasionally. The three Emperors we're
never happier than when they took
their autumn cures together Prince
/ Bismarck frequently found Il desirable
TO seek "A personal chat with Count
Andrassy OF Signor Crispi and we DO
tho remember that an anti British move
was the result OF their coniabulatious