The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1904-03-11
CONQUEST OF EUROPE.
Peter the Greats BequeSt TO Russia
"Raise Wars Continually"


Peterhotf. near st. Petersburg.
there lies one OF the most remark
able documents ever penned. says
the London Chronicle.
This is nothing more nor less
than a plan for the Russian con-
quest of Europe, drawn up BY the
hand of Peter the Great. and be-
queathed BY him in the form Of
a testament TO his successors. It
was reproduced. thirty years ago,
in GernSey paper. and in the light
OF present day events contains
much interesting reading.
In the first clause Peter gives the
following counsel:
Keep the Russian nation in a
constant state Of warlike readiness.
and the soldier prepared for battle
and warlike activity: choose the
most opportunc moments for ag-
SrcsSion. and thus make peace serve
the ends Of war. and war promote
! the objects OF peace. in the inter
est OF the asgrandizenent and
growing prosperity OF Russia.
Secondly, he urges Russia to
gather together. during peace.
learned men from the several most
intelligent nations OF Europe. that
| the Russian nation may profit by
the advance OF other countries. In
the third clause he advises minis
tiers to mix themselves on all oc-
casionS il, the negotiations and dis
agreements of the people Of
i:':rope. and. above a; those OF
Germany, which. fro,n lis geo.
crana;cal POSITION. interests i!.'r
n.o;> Immediately.
Then follow instructions for the
S;biusation OF Poland. which con-
cludcS with the crafty suggestion
that. ii the nc;shborine Powers op-
pose difficulties. they should be
soo,hed Tor a time by aprortionins
shares in such d manner that the
gift may be revoked.
Take the most YOU can from
Sweden and cause her to attack vou
which will give YOU preteNt Tor
subjueating her. It will serve this
view to isolate her from Denmark.
and Denmark from Sweden. or to
foster carefully their rivalry.
With regard to England Peter
counsels his country to cultivate
alliance with her in commercial
matters in preference to all others.
The next advice rendered to Rus
sia is significant:
Encroach as far as possible III
the direction of Constantinople and
the Indies. He who reigns there
will be the true ruler of the world.
To work this out. raise wars con-
tlnllallv-at one time against lur-
KEY. at another against Persia: ::
hasten the decay of Persia and pen
citrate to the Persian Gull; estab-
lish. if possible, via Syria, the an
cient commerce OF the East, and
push onwards to the Indies. which
are the entrepot OF the world. Once
there YOU need not fear the gold
OF England.
Sweden d ;menbered. Persia
vanquisl1ed. Poland subjugated.
the Black Sea and the Baltic swept
BY our fleet. and secrctely. first to
the Court OF \arsailles. and hen to
that OF Vienna. 10 share vii them
the Empire OF the world.
Peter then explains that. if eth
er OF these Powers fall into the
scheme, the other can be conquer |
ed easily. and, having done this. the .
new ally is to be promptly crushed. /!
leaving Russia in possession OF all
the East and the major part OF Eu-
rope.
Finally. Peter the Greats re-
nlarkable testament concludes by !
advising Russia in the event OF both
Powers refusing the offer OF Rus
sia. to excite quarrels between
them and make one exhaust the
other.