Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-05-16


came near to lowering Great Britain to a
second-rate power. And as envoy he has
also had numerous official dealings with
Russian diplomats. Hence he writes from
some personal observation and expe-
rience. as well as long study of the
subject Lord Beaconsfield also had a
true perception of Russia's methods
him the confidence to send Russia an
ultlmatum when her army was at the very
gates of Constantinople and her troops
were actually walking the streets of that
city, during armistice. Russia retired
then, as she generally prefers, before de-
termined and powerful foe. She dislikes
frmness and ultimatums. They jar on her
smooth methods and seem to a1ront her
guileless sincerity.
Why the Gear Dislikes War.
The present ear tells the truth when he
alleges that he does not like war. and so
long as he can gain his ends by stealth and
duplicity. why should he resort to arms?
OF course, he does not want war and does
not need to fight. provided he can hood
wink the powers. Nicholas 1 went to war
inconsiderately because goaded into fury
by Sir Stratfords cunning, astuteness and
determination. Russia has a vast army.
but with all her greatness she cannot be-
gin to mobilize it well poor Turkey
brings her own into the field, even though
hampered as she is. Russia was beaten
by the Turks alone on the Danube,
lHlIHcuidlcly dIleT III lnc SliAucd
by the allies, although their armies had
to be carried in fleets thousands of miles.
In the last war with Turkey the Russians
were baff1ed and awfully thrashed over and
over again by a Turkish hero, Osman
Pasha commanding but a small army. They
only won in the end by calling old Todle-
ben, then tottertng into the grave, to SUI
perintend their siege works. supplementing
this by the gold and promises which found
their way into the pockets and the ears OF
high officials at Constantinople. And then,
in the very hour of triumph, Beaconsfelds
ultimatum, like the peal of doom, forced
them to abandon their chief prize and go
home.
Russia's influence on China.
1t is said that Russia would civilize China.
and should therefore be left with free
hand in those regions, even If she should
subdue the entire empire. This may be Sc
riously questioned. There are some people
who think, and not without reason. that If left
alone, China, having already great civil
ization, will work out her own salvation in
the more natural way, by gradual assimi-
lation from contact with modern ways, and
that Russian civilization, while advanced
so far as concerns material things, is not
necessarily superior to that Of other peo-
pies; also that to subdue nation for the
distinct purpose of improving it Is not
commendable form of altruism.
1t is likewise asserted that Russia is and
always lids ueel tUc lIlcuo VI tI0
United States, and hence it is inexpedient
as well as actually ungrateful for US to
pick a quarrel with her or to stand in the
way of her aggressive schemes. Did she
not stand by us during the civil war? And
is she not protesting at this very hour that
her friendship for US would prevent her
from doing aught to impair our interests in
Manchuria or China? Such an argument
is mere rubbish. Are we so everlastingly
fresh and unsophisticated as to forget that
1~n%x %y,,,- &I,ox
of self-interest? Or that Russia, Of all ma
lions, is the one to make concessions to us
out of sentimental friendship? Her inf1u-
ence during our war was given for the
north and not to the SOUTH and 1t was done
purely to hurt England and not to help us
for our own good. The United States as Z
great united people might serve a rival
to England, might be useful to Russia as
an ally, or at least might offer ports where
Russia could purchase, refit and victual
her fleets.
Look for the Motive.
The Russians have some admirable traits,
like most nations, albeit the practice of
truth is not one of them. They entertain
magnifcently. What American abroad but
what has been jollied by their lavish "a
kooshkas and vodkys and banquets and
been coddled by their open. boisterous bon
hommie, gayety, and professions of deep
love for America into believing that the
rule the world, and then to unite their
grand destnieS in eternal fraternal en-
brace? So far as the Russians con-
cerned this is the sheerest f1apdoo1le An
American in the presence of a Russian
should constantly repeat to himself, '"Timeo
Danaos ct dona frerenteS." A diplomat deal
ing with Russian diplomats should not
be influenced by what they say; that is of
absolutely no value in important mat
ters, however earnest or plausible There
is always something behind it, al
ways a catch or string to it. The inva-
riable rule of action in such cases is to
look for the motive. There is a saying in
regard to incidents of mysterious origin
"ChercheZ la femme" So one should never
forget in diplomatic dealings with Rus
STA to hunt for the motive. Another prin-
ciple should also be remembered, when you
put your foot down keep it there. In nine
teen cases out of twenty she will recede; if
she does not abandon her purpose she de-
fers it. There is this to remember also,
that when Russia recedes in one quarter
she may break out in another and then
again in the same place; hence one should
never close his eyes Sleepless vigilance
and firmness are the price of escape from
Russian wiles.
A faint in the Blood.
Her restless ambition is like faint in
the blood If the eruption is checked in
part of the body, look out for the ap-
pearance of the pustules in another part
1t cannot be eradicated. but it may be kept
under reasonable control and from con-
Eliminating the rest of the community
Whether we have sufficient interests In
jeopardy to justify crisis with Russia in
the near future is a question: which there
is no space to discuss here. But it is per-
tinent question whether we as great
power can allow another power to trifle
with us and assail our prestige and honor
by breaking her conventions with US by
trying to play off her tricks and duplcity
on US, and whether we propose in turn TO
be gulled and bambooZled as other nations
have been by the great mOuntebank of the
ages.
AS to whether we join with other
powers in protecting our rights and honor
consistently with our principles of policy it
seems almost unnecessary to discuss If
We could join with Russia, Germany France
and Great Britain to coerce China in her
hour of weakness. there is no reason why
we cannot also do likewise in the case of
Russia, unless we are of the kind of cow
ards who bully the weak and retire before
the strong. But If the United States in the
growing contact with Russia now develop