New-York tribune., 1900-05-27
RUSSIAN VIEWS OF AMERICAN POLICY.


One of the most extreme comments made
upon the policy of the United States in pressing
for payment of its claims against the Porte, and
upon some other phases of American policy,
appears in the "Odessky Listok," or Odessa
(Russa) Advertiser" That paper is not the
most important in the Russian Empire. Yet the
fact that its utterances are approved in advance
of their appearance by the Imperial Censor
gives to it certain weight. If it does not
feet the official mind it is fair to assume that it
does not offend it. At any rate. its utteranceS
are such as the Russian Government is willing
10 have appear under sanction of the censor
ship.
The "Listok' says that the United States is
prepared to send hostile fleet to CONSTANT
nople to exact payment of its claims. This, it
argues, cannot be just for the sake of getting
the money for such sending of the fleet would
cost many times the which is to be collect
ed. Moreover. in addition to the pecuniary cost
of the expedition, the United States would incur
the danger of evoking the protests of European
Powers against its course. On what grounds,
then. does the United States pursue so militant
a policy: The "Listok' answers in one word
imperialism" The need of finding trade
outlets has impeled this country to seize Cuba
and the Philippines applying thereto the prin-
ciple that might makes right to meddle in
European policies in the Far East to mediate
Intervention in South Africa, and finally to in
trude itself into European affairs. This it
thinks, may be smart politics. to raise the
prestige of the Administration and to win the
popular sanction for further increase of mill
tary expenditures which are already 'Over
burdenng'' the country. But it concludes that
there are Powers in Europe with Russia in
1.-The van, who will lose time in reminding
1.-The United States" that the European Concert
could not think of allowing the proposed action
by this country.
We have no dea that the Russian Govern
ment shares the ''Listoks" curious msinforma-
ton and misapprehensions, is inclined to do
any such thing as that with which that paper
menaces this country Yet it is no light thing that
distorted view of American policies should
be gravely put forth in a great European State,
and, as we may suppose, be widely believed
For the "Listoks" readers unless otherwise I'M
deceived, must get an idea that the United
States has started upon a career of general
meddling in international affairs throughout
the world that it is now for the first time about
to show the guns of its warships in the Med-
terranean. and that, in brief, it is on the point
of becoming a sort of universal enemy, which
all Europe must unite to suppress We cannot
altogether blame the "Listok" for there have
been irresponsible utterances in this country-of
whose irresponsibility it could not be expected
to be aware-which would suggest exactly such
views as those which 1t has set forth. But what
a wretched business it is to give even the slight
est ground for such misjudgment of ones own
country. and for such suspicious and anmosities
between nations which should be united in
bonds of good faith and amity