The St. Louis Republic., 1901-01-14
Minister of Finance. Reviewing
Events in China. Lands the
Christian Gar.
HIS STEADFAST ATTITUDE.
No Fear of Any Power Prompted
Him, but Consciousness of the
Wonderful Strength of His
Empire Sustained Him.

81. Petersburg. Jan. l3.-The Russian Min
lister Of Finance. NJ. De witte. has submit
| ted his budget statement for 1900 This
shows a surplus in the ordinary estimates
OF 7S.443. $50 roubles. He explains that events
| In the Far East have necessltated a heavy
expenditure. amounting for 1900 to s., 500 oOO
roubles. This. he goes on to say, did not
constitute the total sacrifice imposed upon
the country by these regrettable events"
1T is stiil too early to submit a state
ment of our entire material losses." con-
tinues NJ. De White. "a considerable portion
OF the credits being included In the normal
budget and charged to other ministries and
local finances. The losses and DELAYS on
the construction OF railways in the Far East
have entailed advances of nearly 81. go so
roubieS TO the railway cornpa MES
Enlargins upon the injurious effect which
hostiiities In China have had upon the gem
eral economic life OF Russia, especially in
the embarrassment wrought in the financial
market NJ. DeNitte depiores the loss Of
those brave officers and soldiers who have
found glorious deaths on Chinese battle
fields -
Cars Peaceful Attitude
These sad events. however. had a con-
sol1nS gect. he observes, I'm the eyidenre
oi moral weil-being and are a striking
proof Of the entire sincerity of the peaceful
sentiments which inspired the Car in HIS
august words appealing in behalf of peace
and his proclamation OF the peaceful in
tentions Of Russia.
This sublime Christian work. and
each step forward in China has furnished
evidence Of his Majesty's desire to main
tain peace. IL required a violation OF our
irontiers by Chinese insurgents without
motive. the bombardment Cf Blagovests-
chenck and the destruction of the railway
to decide the Government to send troops TO
Manchuria-
Russia IS working for the pacifcation Of
the disturbed districts and for the restoTa-
tion of good relations with China: aud az
soon as her immediate and urgent duties
have been accomplished. she will Withdraw
her troops from Pekin and proceed TO re
duee the military forces in Manchuria.'
Is Conscious of Her Power.
Dilating upon the unexpected nature OF
the difficulties in the Far East. NJ. Dewitt
says:
The storm broke in a quarter where it
was least expected. In quarter. where
dered war preparations and even fortresseS
unnecessary the rumbllng of thunder was
heard. and. almost without noise or confu-
sion. formidable army of over 2ao000 men
protected a frontier extending 10000 kilO-
meters. purged Manchuria OF rebels aad
rescued the Europeans In Pekin
Russia has ACCOMPLISHED all that was
her duty as Christian Power 10 do IN |
China. We were induced TO act thus not
by any prospect of advantages but Nv the |
of our solidarity with the |
whole human race. proving in an irrefut-
able manner that Russia Is pacific not be-
cause sne Is weak, but because sne is con- |
scious of her power.
She could not fear any danger from |
" hateyer source-she who has been able
day after day to display a strength so /
colossal. but Russia does not use her might
fer the secret and selfish calculation.
The Gar Il a great Christian prince. |
who follows no impulse save that of his
heart. and is inspired only by his ideal Of I.
truth and the welfare of humanity. and /
who has shownsthe world by a sublime ex- !
ample that the extraordinary might OF 1
Russia is bound up with a profound love |
Of peace.
Recent events prove that our country
can face the future with serenity in the /
path traced for her by the w:n e her |
august sovereign