Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1901-10-30

Err,ti,tg 4i,1rrs- x
nRussian statesmen have to make up
litaeir minds whether, in the present con-
dition of Russian industries Russian
agriculture and Russian finance, a
friendly understanding with England,
which would relieve her anxieties in the
| far east. and which might result in her
being able to continue her trans-Cau-
casian and Siberian railwayA to the
shores of the Persian Gulf, and which,
last but not least, might enable her to
carry out her historic mission in the
Balkans. is not worth high price"
On these bases the following sugges-
ton for an Anglo Russian understand
ing are submitted:
1.-THE NEAR EAST.
with regard to the near east the ba-
sis would be that whilst Russia alb
stained from any attempt to interfere
with the stantus quo in Europe, we
should frankly recognize that the full
tillment of what Russia regards as her
historic mission in the Balkan peninsu-
II COulIlCLS tNltl Nltdt DilllSsii
asts, and that in Asiatic Turkey we
should abstain from favoring the devel-
,pment of German schemes of expan-
sion.
II.-PERSIA AND CENTRAL ASIA.
with regard to Persia and Central
Asia, we might offer Russia our coop
GRAFTON in the development of railway
Communication between the Caspian
and the Persian Gulf. and in securing
for her commercial outlet on the gulf
In return for an undertaking on the part
of Russia to respect the political status
quo along the shores of the gulf, and to
recognize our protectorate over Afghan
istan.
III.-THE FAR EAST.
with regard to the far east the ques-
Japan would have to be taken into the
counsels of the two empires and basis
Of agreement arrived at which would
satisfy her as well as Russia and Great
Britain.
AS far as Japan is concerned, such a
basis might be found in the recognition
by Russia and England of the Japanese
claim to an exclusive sphere of influence
in Corea.
Japan would presumably in return
for this concession have no objection to
formal agreement under which Great
Britain would recognize Russia's claim
to regulate her political and commercial
position In Marchuria and Mongolia by
direct negotiation with China, and Rus
sa would in like manner recognize
Great Britain's claim to regulate in the
same way her political and commercial
position in the Yangtse valley, each
power binding itself to give no support
in those regions to the enterprise of any
other power. With regard to all other
ola and Japan would agree to take no
steps without mutual consultation.
The fact of Russia being a party to
such an agreement would give France a
guarantee that her interests would be
taken into due consideration, while our
participation would afford natural
safeguard to. the commercial interests
of the United States
1.-The effect of such an agreement, ac-
companied by the customary demons
trations In such cases, public declara-
tons by the sovereigns and their official
and an exchange of
visits by their respective fleets, would
at once remove the danger of sudden
explosion, which must continue to hang
over the whole world 80 long as the far
east remains the powder magazine of
rivalries and conflicting
interests which 1t is at present.
THE natural consequence OF this I'M
derstanding would be that in the event
of war between Germany and Russia
Great Britain would remain neutral.
and in the event of war between Great
Britain and Germany Russia would res
main neutral. Russia would no longer
give cause for suspicion hat she was in
stigating France to make war against
us as Count Murayieff did during the
Fashoda crisis, and Great Britain would
cease to be suspected in st. Petersburg
Of encouraging Japanese hostility to
Russia Japan. on her side. would be
relieved of the menace of a possible re-
yival against her Of the triple alliance
of 1885,
Closer friendship with Italy, and the
maintenance of the understanding with
Portugal is urged as being vital to Eng
lands interests.
A note of defiance is sounded at the
conclusion of this important article.
"The navy bill In Germany was carried
thru it is stated, with the avowed
object of creating a navy which would
be able to keep the North sea clear. We
have no intention Of clearing out of the
North sea or out Of any other sea. We
seek no quarrel with any power. but II
Germany thinks 1t her interest to force
one upon us, we shall not shrink from
the ordeal. even should she appear in
the lists with France and Russia as her
allies. Germans would, however, do
we'll to realize that If England is driven
to 1t England will strike home. Close to
the foundations of the German empire,
which has hardly emerged from Its arti-
fetal stage, there exists powder maya
zine such as is OF be found in no other
country, viz, social democracy. In the
case of a conflict with Great Britain,
misery would be caused to large classes
of the German population, produced by
the total collapse of subsidized indus
tries, far-reaching commercial depres-
sion. financial collapse and a defective
food supply might easily make that
magazine explode. :"
HoAR ON M'KINLEY.
Declines an Invitation to Eulosize the