The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-11-18
The Cars Illness.

The illness OF the cxar 10 the great fac
tor in world politics today. and the pos
sibility OF the death Of this frail young
man is like nightmare to the Statesmen
OF Europe. Notwithstanding all Of the
freely expressed distrust OF the objects
and purposes OF the Russian government.
there has always bean . strong. UNDER
lying sentiment that the czar himself
could never be tempted from the paths
of peace: that Europe is safe from the
long threatened war between the nations
50 long az II lay with Russia to take the
initiative; as that initiative would never
be taken. II the csar himself was power
full enough to prevent It. Tho peace OF
the world. It has been felt, depends on
Russia. especially in the present critical
state OF international affairs. II 10 no
wonder that the news OF the csar's illness
has created something like CONSERVATION
in the chanceilories Of Europe; that there
are dismal forebodings a. to calamities
which would follow. reaching the remot-
est corners Of the world. II his feeble
constitution should snccumb to the dead
ly disease with which he Is at present
afflicted.
There IL recognition in all this Of the
absolute good faith with which the car
has ever since his accession thrown all
OF his weight on the side Of peace: rec
ognition never before fully and frankly
extended, Russian diplomacy has been
credited with so much Of subtiety ana de-
ceit that among Engiish-speaking people
been looked upon with suspicion. The
czar's call for a peace conference. all
though acauiesced in by all Of the lead
ing nations Of the world. was never ac-
cepted on the surface with exactly the
same spirit which undoubtedly prompted
his action. There was much question
ing of the motives Of Russia. in . more
or less public manner. In nearly every
country In the world II was apparently
not believed anywhere that Russia had
put aside the ambitions with which she
had always been credited. and was ready
to pledge herself in good faith. to pre-
serve the peace OF the world. so far as
It lay with her TO do so.
Now that the young car Is lying on
what may prove 20 be his deathbed. II
becomes apparent how. behind the mask
Of cynical skepucism with which Rus
sla's professions were received. thefe was
a real underlying belief in the honesty
of the cars professions ana the
purity of the motives which prompt
ed him IN the attempt to secure
the adhesion OF all OF the powers OF the
civilized world to the substitution OF ar
eiiration for war in the settlement Of in
terna,ional disputes The world now real
izes what an important factor the car
himself. personally. 10 In preventing the
present complications ever rlpening into
dispute TO be settled by the srbliramen,
Of arms
No one seeks to forecast what nigh;
be the result n death should remove the
e1ar a; this time. leaving no successor
publicly committed 10 the policy 10
which he has devoted his life since his
accession to the throne Of Russia. II Is
,ie hope Of the world that he may re-
cover. His serious Illness has shown IT
how mseh depends upon him and ais
arm and s,eaafass adherence to his policy
Of upbuiIding the resources OF his empire
by the arts Of peace.