The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-04-24

mendaoious pretext--such "a that any
point exists In the outer or inner harbor
Of Kamrnnh Bay which Ia moro than
three marine miles from the shore, or
that the Saigon authorities are practi-
cally powerless to enforce compliance
with international law-should suffer
RoJEsTvENsKY TO remain In a French
haven until he could be reinforced by
the squadron under NIEBoGAToFF, she
would so exasperate Japan's British ally
that tho cordial understanding recently
established between France and England
must give way to distrust and enmity.
Fortunately, although Russian news
papers were allowed by the censorship
to express indignation at the notion that
RoJEsTvENsKY was not at liberty to
make as free use OF an ally's harbors at
the present critical conjuncture as he
made in the remote waters OF Madagas-
car. Count LAMsDoRFP, the head OF the
st. Petersburg Foreign ONCE, perceived
that it was not Russia's interest, In her
own hour Of weakness, 10 isolate her
French ally by depriving tho latter Of
Englands friendship, and thus leave the
whole European Continent at the mercy
Of Germany. It we're better for the
RoMANoFFs that RoJEsTvRNsKY's feet
should be sunk than that Germany should
acquire Russian Poland, or the Cars
German speaking Baltic provinces, or
that by a seizure OF Holland, and per-
haps Of Belgium also, she should upset
permanently the balance Of power in
Europe. Even II Russia must renounce
the hope Of ascendency in the Far East,
she may still have a great part to play
in European politics; for the latter role
it behooves her to keep a sharp eye on
Berlin.
When an order to leave Kamrsnh Bay
at once was transmitted from the Gar
himself to RoEsTvENsKY one Of the
plans attributed to Emperor WILLIAM
was disconnected. Evidently France
and England would not be drawn into
the Far Eastern war, nor would their
friendly understanding be In any degree
disturbed There remained the alter
native scheme of 80 manipulating the
Morocco incident as either to humiliate
France or to provoke her to assume a
position which would give the German
Empire pretext for attacking her. 1t
was patent that II President LoUBEI
and Premier RoUvIER could be brow
beaten into consenting 70 refer the Mo
rocco question to an international con-
ference, NJ. DELcAssE, the best Foreign
Minister that France has had for many
years, would be forced TO resign, and
France herself would have TO forego her
long cherished desire Of ascendency in
Northwest Africa. By robbing France
of her most faithful and efficient servant,
by inficting upon her a grave loss Of
prestige, and by shutting her out from
a tempting field OF territorial eIpan-
sion, the Kaiser might justly feel that he
had gained a great moral victory. He
would have treated France as a suzerain
treats a vassal disposed to show signs OF
independence.
If, on the other hand, NJ. DELcAssR
| should retain the French Foreign Office
as he has been prevailed upon TO do,
and, while declining to submit the Mo-
rocco question to an international con.
ference, should offer TO give any reason
able assurance that German interests
should not suffer from the Anglo
French agreement, the Berlin Govern
ment, by refusing TO negotiate on the
subject, might intimate that il had 6
serious grievance, and might cause q
feeling Of great uneasiness in European
capitals as TO what course it might pur'
sue TO recoup itself In some other quarter
for its pretended loss Of privileges il
Morocco. Under such circumstances, Il
Russia's last hope Of winning control Of
the sea should perish with the destruction
Of RoJEsTvENsKY's fleet, the German
Emperor might hold the moment oppor,
tune for putting his formidable battal.
ions to some profitable use.
1t is earnestly to be wished, however
/ that Emperor WILLIAM would bethlnl
himself that II FREDERICK II. were re-
I membered only as the ravisher OF Sile-
STA and the partitioner OF Poland he
/ would not have deserved the epithet Of
/ Great II he holds an illustrious place
In history it Is not due 10 his acts Of
aggression, but 70 his splendid achieve.
ments in the defense Of his country
against tremendous odds in the Sever
Years War.
/