The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-05
RUSSIA is FRIENDLY
EX-MINISTER HITCHCOCK TzKEs
OCCASION TO SAY A GOOD
WORD FOR THE CZAR
ADMIRES THE YOUNG RULER
Believes Him to BE Sincere I'm u;.
Desire to Promote Universal
Peace-CIaims That There Was
No Foundation for Stories That
Russia Wanted TO Interfere I'm the
American-Spanfsh War

LONDON. Feb. 4 = Ethan Allen
Hitchcock. the retiring American am
Dassador to Russia. who was reeentlv
appointed United States secretary to
the interior. arrived in London todav
on his way to Washington He car
ries home the strongest o-Russian
sympathfes. In an interview Mr.. Hitch
cock denounced emphaticaIIy the stor-
les current since the beginning of the
Hispano-American war that Russia
was a member of a coalition of Con-
tlnental powers which would have in
tervened in the dispute had England
not refused to join them
These stories are utterly unfound-
ed, said Mr.. Hitchcock. There has
never been single item of proof pro-
oueed to substantiate them and. on the
contrary, Russia has been most friend
~ toward the United States and mani
tested that friendship during the past
years in many ways of which my posi-
ton forbids me to speak
Unfortunately the Russian govern
ment is so constituted that it cannot
DC much talking in such cases as the
present. but can only wait for time to
afford opportunities for proving the
truth. When these opportunities ar
rive its friendship win be demonstrat-
ed. The false impressions which have
arisen are very unfortunate, and I
think are largely due to the utterance
OF Russian newspapers, certain Of
which are popularity supposed TO be
Official organs; whereas the SUPPOSE
ton is utterly unfounded as they rep
resent the government no more than
Independent sections of the American
press represent that government. In
crfticising domestic policies. the Rus
sian papers must be most cautious. but
when it comes to foreign affairs they
are allowed a degree of liberty and
even license which surprised me. Of
course. If they say things that inter-
fere with the governments plans thew
may be cautioned and told that thew
are injudicious. but ordinarily they are
entirely unhampered'
ADMTRES THE CAR.
Like most persons making the ac-
Quaintarce of the czar, Mr. Hitchcock
has profound admiration for the
young potentate. and expresses him
self strongly as to his frankness. sim
cerity and enterprise. After the formal
presentation of his letters of recall on
Saturday last. Mr.. Hitchcock had a.
long personal talk with the car and
Count Muravieff. the Russian foreign
minister. He SCOTS at the idea that
the ezar's peace propaganda is inspired
by any but the highest motives. Re-
garding the ezar's proposal looking TO
the limitation of armaments, Mr..
Hitchcock said:
The car is no wise discouraged by
the reception Of his plans for check
ing the increase of armaments. He
has not any idea that he will achieve
all he desires Immediately, but is firm
in the belief that his views must pre-
vail in time. and at not far distant
time
Mr.. Hitchcock was delayed for a
fortnight by the difficulty. he encount-
cred in arranging for reception by
the czar. on account of the winter fes-
tivities. which were in progress. and in
which the members of the royal family
participated actively. the car attend
ing reunions Of various regiments and
making addresses. He will sail on
Wednesday, but his family will not go
to Washington until the fall. Mr.
Hitchcock not desiring to take house
there so near the close of the season.
The members of the retiring ambass-
adors family are now in Berlin. and
will spend some time in Italy and Con-
stantinopIe. Mr.. Hitchcock will live at
the Arlington hotel. He will assume
the duties of his new position imme-
diately upon his arrival in Washington.
Regarding his selection by President
Mckinley as Mr.. Bliss successor, he
said:
My appointment is as much of a
surprise to me as it could have been
to the public
spain's Floating Debt Increases.
MADRID, Feb. 4.-The floating debt Of
Spain was increased during the month cf
January by II, ,404.611 pesetss.
Quality, Purity and Natural Dryness
Connoisseurs find these IN G. H Mumm S
Extra Dry champagne the acme Of peTfec-
ton. It's importations In 1895 were $3.50
cases, or 50, $40 more than any other brand