The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1905-02-03
HENRY cLEws 8 cos LETTER.

prospects or revolution IN tnaI empire
and what the results are likely to be
and what their effect o the financial
and Industrial interests of other coun-
tries. While rencent events in Russia
tries. While recent events in Russia
tons in American and European coun-
tries, France especially among the lat
ter, the conditions have improved by
reason of the promptness with which
the government put down the revolt and
the consequent disorder. Still Clews
& co. are Of the opinion that we have
not seen the end OF this revolution.
They feel that the time has come for
the Russian people to rise up and assert
their human rights.
Out OF all this turmoil and revolution
is likely to come great good to the bal
ance of the nations Of Europe and to
America-the ending of the Russian
Japanese wal In favor Of h little
brown men" and the consequent estab-
lishment of the "open door" in the Far
East, which would not follow success
Of the Russian arms in this war. What
great advantage n United states Is
to derive from the establishment OF the
open door in the Far a and the in
tegrity of China, Clews & Co. say is
understood by only a few. and for the
fact that our country will be among
those chiefly benefited. they declare
thanks are largely due to I'll liable NJ
far sighted secretary of state, John
Hay"
Their letter says in part:
The New York financial situation has
been more or less affected by the out
break in Russia. For a period it was
impossible to tell what would be the ex-
tent and consequence of an uprising
which has long been feared, and which
has not yet by any means eliminated.
The fact, however. that the government
at st. petersburg had taken vigorous
methods of suppressing disorder, Ink
with considerable success. tended to
partially restore confidence and there
was much less -uneasineSS in the latter
part of the week than when the out
break first began.
It is quite premature, however, to as
sumo that the trouble is over. While
the final outcome is beyond human fore
sight, it is practically certain that the
enlightened political freedom which
Russia needs and must have for her
natural development is only deferred
and cannot be postponed indefinitely.
| Whether it will be obtained by peaceful
- ~ ,oroJ-t;ororu methods remains
to be seen. The car, a humane but
weak ruler, is unfortunately under COM
plete control of the bureaucracy, and
no concessions of Importance are ex-
pected at present from that quarter.
TIL revolutionists, which include all
classes from anarchists to the Zemstvos,
are a body thus far incapable of organ-
ization and entirely lacking in able or
~forceful leadership. Such being the
case. the government may be able to
maintain order if the army continues
loyal; but the whole situation is highly
volcanic and contains all the elements
of a great revolution-the natural up
rising of a l~ong-suffering people who
have peer held down by the iron rule
OF an arbitrary and autocratic govern
ment. Evidently the time has come for
the Russian people to rise up and as
sert their human rights. to be m IRE in
keeping with this enlightened age. The
car should no hesitate to liberalize
governmental methods for the benefit
of the people and SO restore content
ment and make his subjects truly patri-
otto.
Such chaotic conditions must exercise
a REFRESHING influence Upon European
1N--s- I~s~~ 4Io oazntr0 0f in
terest from the financial STANDPOINT.
Fl ench holdings of Russian bonds are
said to aggregate about 81, 800, 900, 900,
which have only been saved from sharp
depreciation through the most powerful
support on the part o. the great Euro
pean bankers. Partisan bankers, how
ever, have been unquestionably
strengthening themselves, and much of
the gold withdrawn from this and 9TH
er markets during the past few months
has gone to Paris for the purpose of
giving support where most needed, and
more seems likely to follow.
The most hopeful aspect of the whole
question is the probability of the Russo
japanese war coming to a speedy close.
Russia is evidently unable to carry the
conflict to a successful issue, her credit
Del1lS CIlIedlSikSo IN ucI l1oOpS Sib
needed at home to prevent dissolution
of the empire. This crisis permits an
honorable retreat. If such be the out
come, it will largely counterfeit, tenn
p~orarily at least, the effect of Russia's
internal trouble. The stoppage Of the
enormous waste of life and capital
which the war involves would be an
immediate relief to the international
n1nnau m rlyofS. while tho SI1hSanIQnt
restoration of vast territory and I'M
mense populations to the more benefi-
cent influence will rapidly restore con-
fldence and stimulate industry in all
parts of the world. The great value to all
civilized nations of the open door in he
Far East and the integrity of China,
both of which would have been destroy
ed by Russian success, is not yet fully
| annrooiaEod oxcant hN fou, Imam ha 9