The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-09-13
Copyright 1908 by the Pearson Pub
fishing Company.

Perhaps the most sensational event in
recent history was the publication by
the young and newly crowned car OF
il all the Russias Of receipt calling upon
the great military powers of the world
to disband their armies and dlsmantle
their fleets, and inaugurate an era OF
universal peace.
81 This extraordinary invitation pro-
duced "a flutter in all the diplomatic
dovecotes, for European statesmen
have learned by this time that Russia
does nothing in vain. Eyerywhere the
same question was asked: What Is
behind this rescript9'
It is scarcely necessary to add that,
with the exception of a few sentimental
fanatics in England and the United
States, no one was inclined to put faith
in q demonstration which was actually
the prelude to raid on the ancient lb-
critics of Finland, in order to swell the
armies of the imperial peacemaker, and
to combined attack by all the great
Christian powers upon the only unarmed
empire in the world.
Nobody was deceived, but everyone
was disconnected for the moment, and L
was disconnected like the rest. | was
more. I was irresistibly drawn on to
attempt the solution of mystery which
fascinated me like a difficult chess
problem set before an expert in the
game.
I could not afford, of course, to set
about such an investigation merely Tor
my own amusement, After waiting
decent time on the chance that l might
be sent for by one of the governments
most interested in unraveling the
schemes of the great Euraslan power,
8 Z took the unusual step Of going un-
asked to proffer my assistance to the
ambassador Of d power to which L nave
rendered important services.
To L
myself repealed on the threshold, the
ambassador in question, dlplomat1st
Of great experience, declaring that there
was nothing to discover.
ct share your disbelief in the peace
full intentions OF the Russian council noo 81
TO his sav atsneE Bu wa7 this f IS
matter with which they have really
had nothing to do. This rescript IS
the outcome Of the ear own lndlvldu-
atty. He is philanthropic young man,
carried away by the enthusiasm natural
give way to him. That is all; and 1t
only remains to see whether his idea
is practicable.
The. explanation was plausible ono,
and all the more SO because by this
time the character of the new ruler OF
Russia was fairly well kpown to those
personalities of sovereigns and states
men. Still, was not convinced. -.
''That is exactly the explanation
which 7 should offer to the foreign Of
fees of Europe, if were NJ. Witte,' ," 1
ventured to observe.
The ambassador smiled with good
humor.
t'The explanation does not rest on
the word of NJ. Witte, assure you, y
he answered. ''Every one who knows
anything about Nicholas II. knows that
he is a simple minded, honest young
man, quite incapable of playing part
in comedy. AS a matter: of fact there
is nothing in this rescript which \ n ne
has not been saying in private CONVEX
sation with his family and friends any
time this last two or three years. The
German emperor heard all about it
50 long ago. Now at last lie has put his
views formally before the world in a
state paper. These proposals. may not
be practicable, but there can be no
doubt that they are perfectly sin
cere.''
II do not doubt the czar's SINGER.
I know of Russia, I want to under
stand why the council of state have al
= lowed the car to have his own way
This time the ambassadors smile
was less indulgent.
Greatly, NJ. ", I think you are
pushing your suspicious too far. Your
profession has biased your mind, and
caused you to see mystery where it
does not exist. You remind me of
those politicians whom Bismarck used
to say that he could always deceive by
- being perfectly frank
smiled in my turn a little grimly
as I responded:
- 1t appears to me, your excellency
that the counselors of the car have JUS
taken a. leaf out Of Bismarck book
Baffled in this direction, I was cast
ing about me for another client, whe1
my secretary came in to me one morn
ing with a dispatch marked urgent
- calling me to proceed Immediately t,
ConstantinOple, where my services Wer
required by Muzaffir Effendi, tn,
eunqeh highest in the confidence of Alb
dull Hamid. >....
assurance of triumph Of all states
Turkey was the one most deeply con
cerned in the foreign policy of Russia
OF all possible clients the most desir
= able was the ruler whose secret hoard
had dazzled the imagination of ever,
secret service agent in the world for
quarter of a century.
rs What the business might be on whic]
siMuzaffir wanted me I neither knew no
greatly cared. I took my seat in tn
train that was to bear m
towards the Balkan peninsula, firmly re
solved that his business should Civ
way to mine. -. -.-.--. = II
On my way across central Europe
found the papers already full of tn
touching story of the benevolent youn
sdespot and his triumph over the worldl
wisdom of his counsellors. I could no
blame the journa lists for being taken l.
by story which had imposed on on
of the most hard-headed diplomatists i
Paris; / could only marvel at the astute
rigs and daring of the Muscovit
statesmen who had contrived to tur
The perso--al idiosyncrasies Of their SOY
ereign to use in their Machiavellia
politics ~
On reaching the shores of the Bos
Sphorus | found, as I had anticipated
that [ was wanted to disentangle
miserable intrigue Of the harem, tn
kind of work more suited to a privat
- detective than to a man in my uniqu
position. Under any other circumstance
I should have declined the task will
out more ado; as it was, I turned MI,
afr g difficulty into my opportunity.
Listen to me- said to the tren
bling eunuch, as soon as he had fnishe
confding his tale to me, II can say
you, and / will save you, but only Q
one condition.! And that is, that 70
me a private and confident;
audience of the sultan, and that 70
use your influence with him to max
him grant the request / have to make.
Muzafir, who, like all his tribe, We
a miser, seemed overjoyed at this chea
method Of rewarding me. Of cours