The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-04-21
The Policy of Russia.

=
A I THE present time anything
~ tending to throw light on the
land-grabbing policy of Russia
is acceptable to this circle.
Russia's Unsuitable ambition, ever since
she was recognized by Europe as a
world power,-which you will remem-
Ter was right after the disastrous de-
feat of Napoleon at Moscow-has been
to acquire more territory to rule or
rather to mlsrula, and to obtain an out
let for her ships either on the Mediter
ranean Sea or the Pacific Ocean. In
accordance with the rule laid down by
Peter the Great who is supposed to
have said, 'Get control in Asia and
push on to the Indian Ocean, and once
there you need never fear England's
gold," it has been Russia's policy to
implicitly obey that rule. His sue
cessor, the great and unscrupulous
Catherine carried out his instructions
to the letter and proved herself capable
of obtaining foothold in Asia.
1t is not so very long ago when Ma
poleon entered Moscow. That was a
time pregnant with great things for
America. Russia was practically un-
known. She was considered by the
rest Of Europe as barbarous country,
and as such was subjected to insults and
abuse similar to those always inflicted
on the weak by the strong. The civil
ized nations took advantage of her ig-
noIance, and France in particular hu-
inflated her in the extreme by making
her sign the treaty of Tilsit. BY this
treaty Russia ceded to France large
part of her domains, the remembrance
of which, even at the present day
brings blush of shame to the Slav's
cheek. But after Napoleon's defeat
at Moscow Russia was considered good
enough to dine with European royalty,
and if not treated as friend, was at
least put up with. From that day to
the present we find that she has been
treated with respect and consulted on
all important matters. Since that time
Russia's progress as nation has been
nearly equal to the rest of Europe in
the land-grabbing business.
At the time of the European Ali.
ance,-just before Napoleon's final ov.
erthrow at Waterloo-which was insti
tuted for the express purpose of con
sidering the best means of subjugating
the restless ambition of France
Russia was consulted and asked to as
sst in the work of bringing France tC
terms. She accepted the proposal, pos
sibly with view of getting even witt
France for the treaty of Tilsit, an(
tho as an ally she did not do as mucf
fighting in that famous battle as tht
, Prussians and English, she neverthe
, less reaped the same benefits. Russia's
} feverish anxiety to get possession o.
, Turkey, ON the plea that her subjects
J were not allowed freedom of worship
, and the arrogant and brutal manner il
| which she treated the "sick man" an(
which finally brought about the Crime
an War, all tends to prove that she il
l living up to the traditional rule lalt
2 down by Peter the Great.
3 1t certainly seems to be her policy t.
. acquire all the land she can; but wha
good can Russia do even if if she &C
r quires the whole of Asia? If she can
3 not govern her own people, how ca
she expect to govern strangers. Cor
Q sidering the vast area she governs a
o the present time it seems to me tina
: she ought to be able to materially aC
e vance the welfare of the world by mal
Q ing her subjects more happy and NOR
+ contented. Until she does so, it is ust
y less for her to seek new lands to COZ
d quer. A country that rules its sui
y jects with an iron hand and keeps thel
on level with cattle can never be
r world-power such as America or Eni
K lland For irlsf an sOdn aa onnOrtnnit