Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-16
THE RUSSIAN POLICY
Traditional Motives Affecting
the Far East Problem.
A RESISTLESS PURPOSE
RELATIONS OF THE MUSCOVITE
WITH THE UNITED STATES.
Five Factors Which Make the st.
Petersburg Government a
Great Machine.
Written for The Evening Star.

| come to engage with the tortuous policy of
| the Russian minotaur.
The various moves and counter moves OF
Russia In Manchuria which have startled
| the diplomatic world for some weeks, and
| which undoubtedly have some basis in fact,
| Notwithstanding vigorous denials, have
been characterized by the press as sur
| prtses. as a shock to conf1ding universe.
| In point of fact. there is nothing surprising
| in all that has happened in this entertain
| ing drama of cynicism except the surprise
| expressed in England and America. Every
| thing has occurred exactly as has been
| foreseen by those who understand the long
| practice and methods of Russia in prose-
| cutting her foreign policy. This policy was
| laid down by Peter the Great, his testament
to the Russian people. The methods are in
accordance with her geographical position,
her national character. the secret quid pro
| quos she forms with some powers, and the
facility with which she succeeds in deceiv-
ing other powers. 1t has long been evident
that the aim of Russia, although unlikely
to be completely successful is to absorb
the whole of ASIA including Japan. and at
least so much more of Europe as will give
her Constantinople and the control of the
eastern Mediterranean. If Providence
bleSSeS her DiouS efforts with more than
| that then Allah and ST. Nicholas be praised.
"A 3cI1cCL u1dCulucs
In pursuing this thoroughly matured plan
Russia has been aided by five great sources
OF strength, all absolutely essential to her
success and all working together with the
harmony of a perfect machine. No other
powers Of modern times have had or can
ever have command of such magnificent
machine of conquest. Some of them pos
sess one Of these five elements, others per-
haps two, but none combines them all at
any one time to a like degree.
The first of these factors is that Russia
holds the inside lines, and this on so vast
a scale that she can mass her efforts, her
forces, In given quarter before what she
is about can be certainly known. Suspi-
cions are averted by cunning evasions or
point-blank denials When discovery does
come 1t is too late to head her off, and
the cry among the nations then is "sauve
qui peut." Naturally, the wider her terri
tory becomes the greater is Russias abil-
ity to execute her plans in the dark.
Every one knows what an enormous ad-
vantage accrues from possessing the in
side lines.
The second factor In the Russian machine
is her form of government Admitting all
that may be said against absolute des-
potism and in favor of a liberal form of
government, the fact remains that des-
potism is far the more favorable for en-
forcing a steady, consistent and agrees
sive foreign policy. Plans can be matured
and executed in secrecy. The press is muZ-
zled; the telegraph and mails are censored
| there is no public or legislative discus
sion; no airing of principles and policy
no damning of the administration; no ac-
countability to the people, who, with entire
docility, do as they are told by their ruler
when the command to act goes forth.
Influence Of the Church.
The third factor is the church. The state
religion of Russia believes and acts on the
principle that, being the only true faith, its
duty is to proselyte, but that the surest
and quickest way to gain that end is to ac-
quire territory. and that in such a cause
any method is right. The car in his
schemes of conquest knows, therefore, that
he is supported by the entire body of the
hierarchy while the overwhelming major
ity of the people acquiesce without word
or thought of dissent. Whatever war
therefore, Russia assumes, whatever terri
tory she SeizeS by perhdy, whatever peace
able people she brushes, it is all justifiable
done in the holy cause of the Christian
faith of holy Russia. Smile as we may
therefore, at such state of the public
mind in this century of the Christian era
we must still admit, however, that Russia
and her people are sincere as to their con-
science even when indulging in the most
faced duplcity and iniquity This fact
is expressed with mastery frankness and
directness but yet with appalling sarcasm
as it seems to us, by. Lev Vasilievitch in
Mon Regiment Russo" observe our pro-
tecting armies, VINO carry our eVer-peace-
full standard out yonder; for with Lev VAST
Iievitch the wars of Russia so Chris
tan SO national so Russian, in word
that they convey emphatically the impress
sion of peace"
A Faculty for Falsehood.
The fourth factor in Russia's machine of
aggression is her practically limitless ca
pacity for variegated falsehood. Her
treachery and duplicity are as colossal as
her empire, reinforced as they are by an
answering purpose to carry out her plans
The method that she has followed, which
has become more evident as she has come
into more imminent contact with the aims
or rights of the other powers. has been to
avoid war and win by stealthy marches.
The first that is known of a new forward
movement on her part is the news that
large Russian force is planted on this or
that debatable territory or foreign frontier,
often by the infraction OF some compact or
settled right Being confronted with de-
mand that she explain or retire, she replies
vaguely that she was merely rectifying her
frontier or acting in defense. defense against
no evident danger just as she assumes now
in regard to Manchuria. when no one is at
lacking her. If serious remonstrance be
made and she perceiveS that what she
wants can be gained better by craft than
by arms she solemnly promises not to do
so again, while generally careful not to re-
tire from the territory already won in this
questionable way. All apparently being