The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1904-05-28
HISTORICAL
DOCUMENT
The VIII of Peter the
Great Translated
Literally.

to see how exactly and faithfully his in
structions have been carried out, ard
are continuing to be at this time, the
Japan Gazette says in a recent issue
DR.. H. Bowles Franklin has published
the following literal translation OF the
last will and testament which we now
give for the information of our readers,
although. it has often been published
before.
In the name of the most holy and
irldiyisible Trinity, we Peter l., En-
peror and Autocrat of all the Russias,
to all our descendants to the throne and
government of the Russian nation, the
all powerful, to whom we owe our ex-
istence, and being constantly guided by
His light, and sustained by His Divine
support. makes us regard the Russian
people as called in the future to be the
dominant race in Europe. This idea
strikes rs from the fact that European
nations have for the greater part ar
rived at state of old age allied to
decay. or at all events this approaches
them with rapid strides. From this it
results that they ought to be easily and
assuredly conquered by young and
new people, when the latter shall have
attained all their force and power.
/ regard the approaching invasion of
the Western and Oriental nations by
the North as periodic movement de-
creed and designed by Providence, who
IN such manner regenerated the Ro-
man people by means of an invasion of
barbarians This emigration of men
from the direction of the Pole is like
the refiux of the Nile, which at certain
times nourishes with its mud the west
ern land of Egypt. / have four1 Rus
STA to be this river, and SO | her.
My successors will make her great sea
destined to fertilize impoverished Eu
rope, and her waves, the banks thrown
up will fail IN opposing, II my descend
ants know how TO direct the waters. 1t
is just for this reason that | leave the
following instructions, and / recon-
mend them to their attention and con-
slant observation:
Ito keep Russia in state for con-
finual war, to hold the soldier ever
ready, and never give him rest except
for the purpose of recovering the firlanc-
IS of the country and the Improvement
of the army. To choose the most ia
yorable moment for attack, to follow
up peace by war. and war by peace, IN
the interest, ACKNOWLEDGMENT, and grow
ing prosperity of Russia.
IE-To entice by every means pos
sible from the cieverest people of Eu-
rope, officers during war, and savants
during peace, in order to improve the
Russians at tire expense of other ma
tons without losing her own advan-
tage.
III-To take, part on every occasion
In the affairs and discussions Of Eu-
rope, whatever they may be, and espe-
cia1ly in those concerning Germany, who
as our most intimate neighbor interests
us most directly.
. JY.-To divide Poland, and keep up
shere a constant disorder and continual
Jealousy, gain over the other Powers
at the price of gold, influence their as
serr1blies ard corrupt them, so as to
obtain an interest in the election of
kings, to nam. partisans and protect
them as an excuse for the entry of
Muscoyite troops, there to sojourn till
the day arrive for a permanent occupa-
ton. # the neighboring Powers put
forth difficulties, tranquiilize them for
moment by dividing the country until
we can retake as much OF 1t as we
have given tip to them.
V.-To take as much as we can of
Sweden, and get her to attack us, in
order that we may have the pretext
for subjugating her Fer this purpose
we must isolate. Denmark from Sweden
and favor the rivalry between these
countries.
Vito always choose German Prfn-
cesses for our Princes in order to pro-
mote family alliance, reunite our inter-
est. and so bring Germany over to our
cause for the augmentation of our in
fiuence.
VIT-To give the preference to an
alliance with England for commerce,
she being the Power which has the
greatest need of us for our marine, and
at The same time can be most useful
TO us for the development of our own.
To change our wood and productions
for her gold, and establish continual re-
lations between us with regard to her
merchandise, her sailors, and Our own,
which will be in the interest OF this
country for navigation ard commerce.
: VIIT-To extend ourselves, without
ceasiag towards the north, along the
Baltic, and also towards the south along
the Black Sea.
Ix-To approach as near as possible
to Constanti1or1e and India. Whoever
governs there Will be the true sovereign
of the world. Consequently excite con-
finual wars, not only IN Turkey, but IN
Persia. Establish dockyards on the
Black Sea, seize upon little pieces near
this as web as on the Baltic, which is
doubly necessary for the attainment of
our project. And in the decadence of
Persia. penetrate as far as the Persian
Gulf, re-establisl1 if it be possible the
ancient commerce with the Levant, adj
vance as far as India. which is the depot
of the world Arrived at this point.
we shall have no longer need of Eng
lands gold.
X-To endeavor to maintain with
care the alliance with the house of
Austria, appear to support her views
of future domination of Germany. and
foster below the surface the jealousy
OF the princes Endeavor to get her
TO demand the assistance of Russia by
one kind OF means or by another, and
10 exercise over the country species