Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-10-17
DANGER In ORIENT.
SITUATION IN CONSTANTINE
PIE SAID TO BE TENSE.
Russia's Menacing Attitude Seems to
Indicate That She is Assum-
ing the Aggressive.


empire there can be no question tina,
the signs are more ominous than they
have been for years past, for a reopen.
ing of the Eastern question.
Whether all the evidences of disturb.
ance now apparent are the result Of a
natural simultaneous outbreak or not
can only be surmised
There are diplomats who see in the
present peculiar condition of affairs a
sinister hand and who do not scruple
to say so.
For all that might be cleaned from
anyone connected with the manage
ment OF Ottoman affairs the utmost
that could be obtained would be a
shrug OF the shoulders, a pleasant
smile and most polite bow.
Even were the empire actually tott
ing on its foundations, as has so IL
been averred that is all one would get
from the truly ''unspeakable Turk"
And yet it is doubtful If the European
situation IS known so well in any cab-
pet of Europe as it is precisely here, or
to put 1t more closely, as well surmised.
In Downing street it certainly is not,
| for there the utmost uncertainty pre-
walls if one may rely on little unof-
| fetal information that occasionally
comes along
| The storm center" of Europe is tru-
! ~ the diplomatic center whenever any
thing like crisis in European affairs
is on the tapis.
| But the unspeakable Turk is equalled
| by the imperturbable Russian, whose
paw may already be outstretched to
crush him and bring about that grand
| tragedy of nations which has hitherto
so often been referred to by precocious
historians.
There is perhaps, no fear that Rus
STA is trying to provoke so terrific a
conclusion at once, but as | have writ
ten before, she is encroaching at this
moment on every point of the frontier
of her arch enemy Britain and of her
real or alleged allies.
She sees her opportunity and will
never miss it. Russian diplomacy new
or does--it is the diplomacy OF a Bis
marck and a Napoleon rolled into one
it is aggressive as well as progressive
and never believes in moving back an
outpost
In Manchuria today, there is no sign
of Russian battalions or of civil admin
istrators being removed that others
may take their places. The allies may
get out OF China as fast as they can
About that what does Russia care.
She did not go to Manchuria to rescue
any legations
She went there to assure her rail-
road terminals and functions and to
command the north Pacific ocean
against any peradventure of doubt.
Japan might fret herself and threat
en- fight over the question, but that
would not terrify Russia more than
might terrier mastiff. That is what
seems to u.s. at least. apparent here.
There is no doubt that the extension
Of Italian influence on the Adratic is
being carefully averted by Russian dip
lomatists and that every effort is being
made to drag Italy into the Dual alli-
ance (where she may ultimately land)
by men who are head and shoulders
over the young king in the arts Of dip
lomacy This regardless of religious
influences or anything else that might
be extremely detrimental to the best
interests of the young kings kingdom,
if he only knew it.
But such is the willingness of the
arch intriguer that he can bluff Europe
where he cannot bully it, or bully Asia,
and, So II his schemes go through he
will force the Balkan states out of their
quiet lines OF natural development into
sphere OF activity which will not only
obstruct. and in fact, annihilate their
peaceful schemes of autonomy, but viii
render them in the end merely integral
parts Of his great contemplated domain.
There can be no doubt that the situa-
ton at the present moment between
Vienna and St Petersburg is as acute
as il is between here and st. Peters
burg aud that is not saying very mild
thing Taken for granted that all the
savings of the semi-oflicial press viii
bear passing through a large sieve,
there is no doubt that the situation be-
tween Austria and Russia is strained
to the uttermost The only reason ap-
parent that il is not strained any fur
ther, is that Austria dare not strain IT.
Perhaps the same might safely be said
from here.
The resumption of outrages by the
! Kurds upon the Armenians has, of
course. been made to serve the purpose
| of a convenient threat by the Musco-
| vite that II order were not quickly re
stored in this portion of the Turkish
empire. the czar's troops would be com
| PEELED to assume the cause Of humanity
and take the initiative.
4 This pandering TO the popular clam
/ or Is of course allowable in some opin-
/ ions. but it seems TO be only part or a
preconcerted excuse for moving GER
! tain outpusts forward which do not
form according TO the opinion of tn,
wisest. the best barriers against de.
, civilization,
Everything possible IS being done by
the Porte to sustain the safety OF the
Armenian subject Troops have beer
sent systematically TO an points where
there was reasonable ground to sup
pose that outroges would take place
and as yet no bad results have beer
heard
Little reliance can be placed upon re
ports which wholly rebound 70 the dis
credit Of the Turkish authorities. Th'
old idea Of making the sultan appea'
a tlcndsh t1rturer Of all the element.
of his population when did not profess
the Nchammeu1ap faith Is too anti
Custed e hear trcttnv cut in the pres
emf regrurv Nasnito he vail 0nI