The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-07-04
DEATH OF COUNT MURAVIEEF.
Diplomat Who Played an Impor.
tant Part in Contemporary His
tory,

tory,
Atlanta Constitution
The death Of Count Muravien, the
RUSSIAN minister Of foreign affairs
has produced u d" .p anu visible eirec
on international diplomats. They real
lZe that dominant figure in the
| world S arena has been removed, and
all eYlnce an Intense anxiety as to the
individuality OF his successor.
kussian diplomacy is beginning tc
| be recognized as the most SUGGEST fui
ana aggressive cXtant. The play on
the part OF Russia for international
peace while she was pushing opera.
lions in China, and the polite stand
which that government has assumed
on every knotty problem, lends ground
Tor the veritication OF tussia's own
prediction that she Is the coming
power in Asia" 1t is now conceded
that Muravictf WAS the leading spirit
IN all these matters, and that all those
line schemes and smooth plays which
are now soothing to the surface Origi-
mated In u brain remarkable for It's
quick ana consistent shrcwdness. 1t is
evident, II all else be denied that q
mind OF coneummate ability Is behind
all Russia's actions and competent
judges are ready to believe that 1T has
been that OF the strong-willcd Mura-
vioil rather than the sluggish czar.
What will be the outcome OF his
death Is IS yet mere con lecture. Ii q
successor can be found who measures
up TO his standard tie outward mani.
lcs'attons will perhaps be vague. But
II an Inefficient man is choE' y or If it
becomes apparent that Muravief was
the power behind the throne, then
there will be changes and develop
ments OF radical aud terrifying ma
turc. The other powers VIII cease to
regard Russia ~ u stumbling block in
the path toward the attainment of
their selfish ends, and we will see the
partition Of China, and other bloody
schemes pushed To II speedy compile
tiOn.
II appears also that the United
Sta.eS bas lost staunch friend in the
Russian minister. What he has done
Tor this country is told succinctly as
follows by contemporary, and may
be revelation to the average news
paper reader
wv hen sentimental sympathy in
France and Austria's ancient gricv-
ancc On account OF our Mexican intcr-
vcntion against Maximili8n led to talk |
OF European concert against the Uni
ted States in favor Of Spain a word
from Muravicn dispellcd these danger
Gus dreams. The eccentric proceed
iugs Of Admiral Won Dederichs at Ma.
mia, although undoubtedly In excess |
OF bis instructions, had caused many
a Americans to doubt the sincerity Of |
Germany's neutrality, and to look upon |
Great Britain as our only friend in |
Europe. England was prompt to seize |
her advantage, and the United States |
WAS never nearer than then to tumb~
ling into tho Anglo American alliance
pit. by Muravieil's instructions, |
Count Cassini hastened to assure our |
State department. that Russia in no |
way resented our advance into Asiatic |
waters, and welcomed US rs neighbor |
in the Philippines. France, cautioned |
by her ally, became moro discreet
Germany saw that her admiral's zeal |
had ouLrun his judgmcnt and sent him
oil to batavia TO fire harmless salutes |
in honor OF Queen Wilhelmina's coro-
nation. England claimed the credit of |
saving the United States from q Euro
pean war, but the decisive word which |
blasted the meddling project was
SPOKEN from ST. Peters sburg."
1t Is reported, in addition, that there |
Is a possibility that the death OF the |
Russian minister was due to poison,
applied with criminal intent. II such !
be the case, new and endless avenues
OF specu alton are opened up, sufficient
to cause European diplomats many |
slCepless nights and rouse anew popu-
lar interest in the developments OF the |
next fen weeks.