The Irish standard., 1902-01-25

Vul ol lne recent discussion as 10
whether Russia Or England was the
more friendly to us when some powers
in Europe were considering interfcr-
encc with our action toward Spain and
Cuba. there has come from Washing
ton, ID. c., to the New York Sun, the
following communication from A. Maui
rice Low:
"Sir--In the Sun of Dec. 2:}, discus
sing the attempted European coalition
against the United States Just before
the declaration of war against Spain.
you say that Russia attcsted her
friendship for the United States by an
act identical with that performed by
Alexander III. at a critical conjuncture
during the civil war; or course yo,,
refer to the historical myth that Russia
sent squadron to the United States to
be used by this government in the
event Of certain things happening; but
what / should like to know is, has the
Sun any irrefragable proof to sustain
this historical myth; can 1t produce
sucll~testimony that will he accepted as
conclusive by disintcrested, unpreju-
diced and intelligent jury? In nil my
researches I have never been able to
obtain single scrap of evidence in
support Of the assertion except from
Russian sources long after the event;
evidence that no jury would accept.
without corroboration; evidence as
valuable as the later assertion that
Russia tied the hands of Europe
against the United States. For the
truth Of history cannot the Sun pro-
duce the proof?'
For the enlightenment Of it's cerres-
pondent the Sun gives the following
historical information:
1t is true that in the records of the
State Department at Washington there
is not to be found particle of evidence
regarding the alleged action of Russia,
but In the Life Of Thurlow Weed"
ther are two or three interesting OBJ
servations OH the subject worthy of
quotation. Here are parts of pages
34G and 347 of Vol. H.:
ut will be remembered that early in
the Rebellion Russian fleet lay for
several months in our harbor, and that
other Russian men-of-war were sta
toned ut San Francisco. Admiral
Farragut lived at the Astor House,
where he was frequently visited by
the Russian Admiral, between whom,
when they were young officers serv-
ing in the Mediterranean, warm
friendship had grown up. Sitting in
my room one day after dinner, Admiral
Farragut said to his Russian friend,
why are you spending the Winter
here in idleness?' Il am here,' replied
the Russian Admiral, under sealed or
ders. to be broken only in q contin-
gency that has not yet occurred He
added that other Russian war vessels
were lying off San francisco with
similar orders.
During this conversation the Rus
sian admiral admitted that he had re-
ccived orders to break the seals If dur
ing the Rebellion we became involved
in war with foreign nations. Strict
confidence was then enjoined.
when in Washington few days
later, Secretary Seward informed
me that he had asked the Russian
Minister why his government kept
their ships Of war so long in our har-
bors, who, while in answering he dis
claimed any knowledge of the ma
turc of their visit, felt at liberty to
say that it had no unfriendly purpose.
Louis Napoleon had invited Russia,
as he did England, to unite with him
In demanding the breaking Of our
blockade. The Russian Ambassador
at London Informed his government
that England was preparing for war
with America, on account of the seiz-
ure of Mason and Slidell.
"Hence two fleets were Immediately
sent across the Atlantic under sealed
orders, SO that If their services were
not needed, the intentions of the EN-