New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-23
WHO IS RUSSIA /?
Frsderick W. SezcGrd asks and An
s1uers the Question.
!, she Editor OF The Tribune.

r,,he Editor OF The Tribune.
Sir. There are two answers TO that question.
On. saws that Russia is the great Northern Bear.
,ho seeks 10 grasp the earth and crush life and
freedom out OF it, that Russia is the huge octo-
mrs whose myriad arms grapple and strange
al enterprise; that Russia is the oppressor Of
Poland and Finland. and the prosecutor of
Israel; that Russia is the land Of ice and snow
NJ darkness physical and mental, Of wolves,
h-rIte and human; the land OF gigantic armies
and corrupt police, the land OF the knout and
the prison, OF Siberian exiles and mines, of po-
utlcal espionage and censorship, suppressing
thought checking action and holding millions
In hopeless ignorance and poverty. That is the
Russia through many English and some
American spectacles.
The other answer says that Russia is the great
and growing power Of the North. which natural
ly spreads out toward the east as the United
States does toward the west. carrying Christiani-
ty and civilization with #, planting orderly COM
Inunities in place Of nomadic tribes and so as
eimilating and Matchmaking the whole. Fur
thermore, that Russia is the traditional friend of
America, who stood by US in all our wars. while
other powers passed by on the other side" who
refused to Join in doing us mischief whose en-
nghtened policy gave us Alaska. who emulated
our example in enancipating her slaves, estab-
fishing courts local legislatures and jury trials
who invites our engineers and mechanics 10 build
her ships and railways, whose hospitable court
welcomes American ENJOYS, scientists and trav-
ellers. and whose very droschly drivers AMI
shopkeepers greet with smiles everybody who is
''Americansky"-that is the Russia seen through
some French and many old fashioned American
spectacles.
There is truth in both answers but neither Of
them expresses the whole truth Of the case
Russia is vast land with huge population
embracing many creeds and varied opinions
IN that respect not unlike our own country.
Those varied opinions do not find expression as
with through different presses and political
parties, but they are none the less deep seated
and strong Two diverse elements exist in Rus
sia. and each is struggling for mastery in the
government. The more progressive element
comprises. as We hope and believe, the Gar
himself and some of his ministers and the most
enlightened OF his subjects. The other one, whose
conservatism IS almost medieval, comprises q
large portion of the bureaucracy, military and
civil: is entrenched behind tradition, custom and
vested rights, and dOggedly resists every ad-
vance An illustration of each shown re-
Gently in the reported Outgiyings about cur new
" appointed consuls at Moukden and Antung,
when the Russian Minister at Washington was
assuring us that our treaty rights for the open
door" should be respected. while on the same
day high officials in the Far East were growing
that mo foreigners" should be allowed to trade
or settle, apparently DESTROYS Of continuing the
policy Of exclusion that the Manchu Tartars
have practised for centuries.
Properly 10 understand Russia, both these ele-
1nents are to be taken into account There is no
more common popular failacy than that Of per-
sonifying nation If it consisted OF only
single man.
Russia and Japan are both growing and
banding powers. Russia was among the last TO
emerge from med,@valsm in Europe Japan
was the first 20 emerge from Oriental stagnation
sn Asia Both are. and have been, good friends
OF the United States. To them to look for
such regeneration in Northern Asia Eng
land is attempting in the southern portion.
II IS entirely natural. perhaps inevitable. that
their growth and expansion should lead 10 fric-
ton when they come in contact. But if they are
wise, they will act In cooperation; not in hos
fil,ty The field is large enough for both. Hos
tilties between them would be fraught with
evil consequences to both, and perhaps 10 the
world at large.
FREDERICK W. SEWARD.
Nontrose-on-the- Hudson. y. Y, Jan. p. 1904.