New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-08-23
n Word FOR RUSSIA.
Her Policy in the Balkans The
Black Cabinets" Workings.

their judgment and sense of perspective in all
matters relating to the great empire of the Gar
is just as anxious to maintain peace in the East
of Europe as are Austria and Great Britain
To those who are disinclined to believe this as
sertion and who are convinced that the disturb
ances in Macedonia fostered by Pan-Slav
agents, it may be pointed out that Emperor
Nicholas and his government have everything to
gain by the avoidance of hostilities with Tur-
key and by the continuance of the Christian
provinces of the Sublime Porte under the sover-
eighty of the Sultan.
A conflict with the latter at the present junct-
ure would not only interfere with all the prof.
ects of commercial and industrial development
of the Minister of Finance Count White, besides
constituting drain upon the national treasury
but would likewise tax the military resources OF
the empire at most untoward moment to a
very incOnvenient degree. If Russia wishes to
safeguard the interests which she has acquired
in Northern China and the Pacific coast OF
Asia, and which are menaced just at present by
Japan it is imperative that she should have her
hands wholly free to deal with the latter.
Popular sentiment in Japan is so strongly in
favor of immediate with Russia that it is
only with the utmost difficulty that the Mikado
and the more sagacious of his statesmen. who
are aware of the vast resources of the Muscovite
empire. can keep it under control But were
Russia TO become involved in a conflict in the
East of Europe and in Asia Minor it is probable
that the Toxic Government would find it's hands
forced by public feeling TO take advantage Of
the situation, to attempt to drive Russia out
of Manchuria and to establish japanese supren-
acy once and for all time in Corea.
For the japanese are keen students of con-
temporary history. They are fully aware of the
difficulty experienced by Russia, assisted she
by Rumania, Servia and the Bulgar in
surgents in defeating the Turks twenty seven
years ago. They appreciate also the fact that
since then the Ottoman army thanks to its Ger
man training and to its superior equipment has
developed into of the most powerful forces
in existence. and that in consequence thereof 4
conflict between the Sublime Porte and Russia
would make such demands upon the military
sources of the latter as to diminish vastly her
powers Of resistance TO Japan in the Far Orient.
But these are far from being the only reasons
that render the Car reluctant in the extreme 20
take arms against the Sultan. although he may
be compelled to do by the force of circun:-
stances and under the most severe provocation.
Such a war, admitting the victory of Russia
after long and costly conflict, and the alb
sence of entangements with Japan any Eu-
ropean power, would result, not in the anneXa-
ton of Macedonia to the AIuscOvite empire, but
either in the partition of Macedonia among
Bulgaria and other Balkan States. thereby
adding to their power or else in the creation II
a less independent Macedonia, the
lines of Rumauia Servia and Bulgaria. which
in course of time would become just as migrate
fully forgetfuI they of all that Russia has
done to get their emancipation from Ottoman
rule and quite hostile to NIuscovite influences.
For to-day the magnificent defences OF Buch-
Arrest, designed by that modern Nauban, the
late General de Bramont. of Belgium are di-
rected against Turkey, Austria, or Cvrl
Servia, but against Russia. Rumania, Servia.
Bulgaria all constitute many obstacles a
the path of Russia's onward march on Con
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of her creation. An
independent Macedonia an Independent Ar
menia would merely add to their number ana
contribute to render stiIl more remote the real
ization of that dream of every patriotic Mus
covite since the days of Peter the Great-Which
is the keynote of the national policy of Russia
namely, the possession of StambouI which il
the opinion Of that founder of Russian grandeur.
as in that of the first Napoleon is destined to
give TO the Great White Gar the mastery Of
the world.
What the government at st. Petersburg 0uld
prefer would be that Macedonia should for the
present continue to form part of the Ottoman
Empire under a reformed and Christian admin
tiative so that Muscovite influence would 1a
predominant in the provincial government
while the Christian population would realize
that they were indebted for their relief from