The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1900-07-05
DEATH OF COUNT MUIR AVIEEf.
N Diplomat Who Played an Impor.
tant Part in Contemporary His
tnrv.

IN H'Pto"ha' VINO iiaycu ali ImpOr'
tant Part in Contemporary His
tory,
Atlanta Constitution.
Tho death OF Count Muravicm, tho
Russian minister OF foreign affairs,
has produced Il deep aud visible eilect
on international diplomats. They real
izc that dominant iiguro in tho
worlds arena has been removed, and
all cvinco IN intense anxiety re- to the
individuality OF his successor.
kussinn diplomacy is beginning to
be recognized rs tho most successful
and aggressive CXtHnt. Tho play on
the part Of Russia for international
nc"cc while she was pushing opera
tions IN China, and tho polite stand
which that government has assumed
ON every knotty problem, lends ground
Tor the vcritiCntiOn Of ltussins own
prediction that "shH is tho coming
power in Asia" it is now conceded
that Mnravicl WAS the leading spirit
| IN all these matters, and that all those
| hnr schemes and smooth plays which
are how soothing to the surface Origi,
mated IN Il brain remarkable for its
| quick and consistent shrcwdncss. 1t il
evident, II all rlso bo denied, that a
mind OF conaummntc ability Ii behind
all ltussia'S actions and competent
Judges are ready to believe that 1T has
| been that OF the strong willcu Mura-
wen rather than the sluggish car
| What will bc the outcome of his
death Is as yet mere con lecture. Ii a
successor can he found who measures
up to bis standard tic outward mani.
fcslatiOns will perhaps be vague. Bui
| II an inefficient man il chosen, or if II
becomes apparent that MuravicM wa,
the power behind the throne, thcI
there will be changes and develop
ments Of a radical and terrifying ma
turc. The other powers Will cease /,
regard Russia as !. stumbling block il
the path toward the attainment O
their selfish ends, and we will sec the
partition Of China, and other blood,
schemes pushed to Il speedy compile
| tiun.
| 1t appears also that the United
States has lost a staunch friend in tho
| Russian minister. What he has done
for this country is told succinctly a.
! follow, by Il contemporary, and may
| bc revelation 70 the average news
paper reader:
| wv Whcn sentimental sympathy il
France ana AuStrlaS ancient gricv.
| ancc ON account OF our Mexican inter
vcntion against Maximilian led to talk
ted States in favor Of Spain, worG
from Muravicir dispcilcd these danger.
Gus dreams. The eccentric proceed
ings OF Admiral Won Dcidcrichs at Ma
nila, although undoubtedly In excess
OF his instructions, had caused many
Americans TO doubt the sincerity OF
Gcrmany's neutrality, and to look upon
Great Britain us our only friend in
Europe. England was prompt to scize
her advantage, and the United States
Was new ~ nearer than then to tumb-
| ling into the Anglo American alliance
pit. by Muravlcn'S instructions,
Count Cassini hastcnCd to assure our
State department. that Russia in no
way resented our advance into Asiatic
waters, and welcomed us as Il neigh Dor
in the Philippines. France, cautioned
by her ally, became moro discreet,
Germany saw that her udmiraPs zeal
had uutrun his judy gment and sent him
of TO batavia TO fire harmless salutcs
in honor Of Queen Wilhclmina's coro
nation. England claimed the credit of
saving the United States from Il Euro
pcan war, but the decisive word which
blasted tho meddling project WAS
spoken from ST. Peter sburg."
1T Is reported, in addition, that there
| is n possibility that the death OF tho
| ltussiMn minister WAS due to poison
applied with criminal intent. II such
| bn tie case, new and endless avenue:
| OF sp, Culati0n arc opened NJ, sniliciGn
TO cHusc European diplomats man,
slcuptcs5 nights and rouse anew p0pu
lmr In crest in the developments OF tn
next 'cT weeks.