The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1904-03-17
PETER THE GREATS WILL.


PETER THE GREATS WILL.
1t Sets Forth Policy Virtually
Amounting to the Conquest of Asia,
and Through Asia Of the World.
The "will Of Peter the Great" which
has frequently been referred to since
the present war began. appeared in
M. Lesur's "Des Progress de la Puts
sance Russe," published in Paris in
1879. the year of Napoleon's invasion of
Russia. By some authorities it is re-
garded as almost certainly apocryphal,
and not improbably written at the in
stlgation of the French emperor. 1t is
curious fact, however, that 1t sets
forth poicy, to use the language Of
Archibald r. Colquhcun. the author Of
Russia Against India virtually
aomunting to the conquest Of Asia,
and, through Asia, of the world. It ex-
presses, in fact. the true aspirations of
the Russian nation. and Russian dip
lomats have. since the time OF Peter
the Great, steadily pursued course in
keeping with the principles set forth
in this document.
THE WILL OF PETER THE GREAT.
!. Neglect nothing which can intro
duce European manners and customs
! into Russia, and with this object gain
/ the co-operatioff Of the various courts.
and especially the learned men of Eu-
rope, by means Of interesting specula-
tons, by philanthropic and philosophic-
al principles, or by any other suitable
means.
| IT, Maintain the state in condition
of pertual war, in order that the troops
Imay be Injured to warfare, so that the
whole nation may always be kept in
training and ready to march at the first
signal.
III Extend our dominions by every
means on the north along the Baltic,
as well as towards the south, along
the shores Of the Black sea; and for
this purpose
Nv. Excite the jealousy Of England,
Denmark and Bradenburg against the
\ Swedes, by means Of which these pow
ers Will disregard any encroachments
we may make on that state. and which
we will end by subjugating.
/ VI IultICSl LIE liOuSC VI <aOotl III
the expulsion of the Turk from Europe,
and under this pretext maintain per-
Imanent army and establish dockyards
on the chores of the Black sea, and thus,
by ever moving forward. we will event
ually reach Constantinople.
VI. Keep up a state of arnachy in
Poland, influence the national assem-
blies, and above all regulate the cleo
ton Of Its kings; split it up on every
ohcasion that presents itself and finally
subjugate it.
VII Enter into a close alliance with
England, and maintain direct rela.
tions with her by means of good COM
mercial treaty; allow her even to ex.
ercise a certain monopoly in the interi.
or of the state, so that q good under.
standing may be by degrees estab!
ished between the English merchants
and sailors and ours, who, on theil
part are in favor of everything which
tends to perfect and strengthen the
Russian navy. by aid of which 1t II
necessary to at once strive for mas
terry over the Baltic and in the Blacl
sea. The keystone on which the speedy
success OIL Ills SCueilie uSpSIiuS.
VIII Bear in mind that the commerce
of India is the commerce of the world
and that he who can exclusively corn
mand it is dictator Of all Europe. Nc
occasion should be lost to provoke wal
with Persia. to hasten its decay, to ad-
vance on the Persian gulf, and then tt
endeavor to re-estabish the ancient
trade Of the Levant through Syria.
TX. Always interfere, either by force
of arms, or by intrigue, in the quar-.
res of the European powers, and es-
pecially in those of Germany; and with
this object
x Seek after and maintain an al
lance with Austria; encourage her II
her favorite idea of national FREEDOM
nance, profit by the slightest ascend
ency gained over her to entangle her II
disastrous wars so that she may b
gradually weakened; even help he
sometimes; but necessarily stir vi
against her the enmity of the whole
of Europe, but particularly of Ger
many, by rousing the jealousy ant
distrust of the German princes
XII. Always select wives for Russian
princes from among the German prime
esses Sc that by thus multiplying al
liances based on close relationship ant
mutual interest we will increase .ou