Daily Kennebec journal., 1904-05-17
CLOSER RELATIONS,
Great Britain and Russia Work.
ing to This Effect.
Ambassadors Arrival at St. Peters
burg Creates Much Interest.
Specific Purpose of the Visit Of Hard
inee Still Yelled.

st. Petersburg, May 1G.-64O p. NJ
Sir Charles Hardinse, the new British
Ambassador to Russia, arrived in ST.
Petersburg at 2 o'clock, this afternoon.
because of the part the Ambassador
is expected to play in carrying out
King Edwards desire for closer rela-
tions between Great Britain and Rus
sia more than usual interest i'll his
arrival was displayed in official and
unofficial circles.
The government was extremely pune
tilous in observing the most minute
rctails Of the ceremonies imposed by
International etiquette on the arrival
of new ambassador. The imperial
waiting room at the Warsaw station
WAS thrown open for his use and an
imperial carriage with n guard of hon
or ot cOssackS in red tunic:; conveyed
tie ambassador from the station 10
the embassy.
So soon as the Emperor returned to
St. Petersburg, Sir Charles Eardin%e
will present his credentials and at the
same time deliver Il speech Wnich il
is expected will reveal, guardedly of
course, the object of his mission. The
authorities here attach considerable
importance to the prospective declara-
ton, owing to the ambaSSalors' rci;-
tons with King Edward. 1t VIII be
regarded rs being rs much an express
sion of the VicW:; of His Majesty as of
the British government. ON his part,
Emperor Nicholas will make response
which will be no less cordial than the
utterance Of the British ambassador.
I'm official and diplomatic circles it
is generally known that the establish
ment OF better relations between Rus
sin and Great Britain is the object of
Sir Charles Harlingc's mission. The
specific purpose. however, are still
veilcd, despite the discreet inquiries
made by foreign diplomats of their
British colleagues here.
You know as we'll as we do" said
n wcll-incOrmed diplomat to the cor
respondent of The Associated Press,
this afternoon, the intense personal
desire of King Edward to reach an
agreement with Russia. The King
wishes to bring about change in
Anglo Russian relations such as real
lied by the agreement between Great
Eritan and France. In spite Of the
hclicf elsewhere this is no more ditii-
cult task than was accomplished in
Paris ana London. We believe Sir
Charles Iiardinge's mission is to reach
an understanding with Russia Wnerc-
hy will he defined their respective
spheres Of influence in Asia, just as
the Angio-F'rcnch convention defined
their distinct spheres in Africa.
There is no question of Great Britain
formally offering intervention to ar
range for peace between Japan and
Russia. Russia has made it absolutely
clear that she will have no intcrfer-
cnce. There are plenty of subjects for
nc gOtiatiOns. one of the most inpor-
tant is the reduction of armaments on
the Indian frontier, which now con-
stitutes an enormous and useless cX-
penditurc for both countries"
The same diplomat asserted that
Russia's resentment against Great
Britain for not allowing her 10 take
Constantinoplc is no longer justified,
MS the British government has not the
same reason as formerly to oppose the
advance of Russia through the Dar-
,Iarelles. If the british have motive
for seeking Il Russian agreement it IS
attributed to british suspicion of Ger
many. due to the latter's creation of
Il navy.