The Forrest City times., 1901-01-11
IRRESISTIBLE RUSSIA.
The Anglo-Ru ssian Alliance Thoug ht to Be the Only Guarantee of
 World Peace.

Russia's destiny seems to be to sail on with relentless indifference to all the rest of the world, like that vast dark star which, astronomers tell us travels through space eternally in al straight line. Look where you like while men sleep, the mighty Russian web is being spun-pliant before the gale-but still holding on. The ex. tension of Russia is the most notable historic fact of the last three cen turies, and now, under our very eyes she is adding region after region to her dominion, with the empire of China practically at her feet. Also what we in England fail to grasp is not only the extraordinary material progress of Russia in Siberia and in Manchuria, but the incalculable bene. fits she will derive from those mex haustible fields, not alone as an outlet for the population of her less favor ably endowed lands of forest ano steppe, but as a country in which armies can be raised by the million while leaving her own people in their peaceful occupations.
 A comprehensive or birds eye view of these regions would be reyela tion to ninety-nine Englishmen out ot a hundred who have no conception O. the vast colony of Siberia into whicl the liberated serfs have been poured covering its face with the golden glor, of grain and exploiting it's untouched mines of gold, silver, copper, coal and oil. On all these crown lands the set tier has nothing to pay for 20 years He can practically grow corn for the mere price of labor-his own and that of his sons. He is exempt from mill. tary service for ten years, which leaves him ample time to found his home and establish himself on the soil. He pays no taxes, local or i'm perial. Ais children are educated b., the state for the state; and his affairs are arranged by intelligent govern ment officials, and are not the sport of urban or rural district councils When he arrives in his colony he car produce everything necessary to make start with from government store. implements, house-building material seeds, and, in addition, he can secure loan sn easy terms, also from tht government. Serious men, striving their utmost to develop the country
 watch his interests, and the spectacle is that of great people resting in SC curity and undisturbed by the claim. of political or parliamentary exigency In Russia the colonization of these lands is considered vital necessity; more so than any dreams of conquest
 whether in India or elsewhere. The
 true swing of the pendulum of the Russian empire is east, following the
 line of least resistance. The destiny of nations follows natural laws, anc the east, the far east, is the direction in which Russian effort can be most successful.
 Let us frankly go to this great Rus sian empire, whose shadows cover tht
 world, whose autocrat is married tc the granddaughter of our great em press and queen, and say to those
 wise men who guide it's councils ''The world is wide enough for u. both, and our commercial interest. need not clash"
 The closer and more seriously thi! question Of an Anglo-Russian friend ship is studied, the more clearly doe,
 1t stand out as the only possible guar antee of the peace of the world.-Fort
 nightly Review.