Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-24
MEYER AND THE CAR
interviews That Led to the
Portsmouth Conference.
Ro0sEvELT,s GREAT LUCK
Nobel Prize to Be Given Him for End
ing the War.
THE RUSSIANS ARE GRATEFUL
Interested in Knowing the American
Estimate of Recent Events In.
That Country.
THE RUSSIANS ARE GRATEFUL
ST, PETERSBURG, July 8. Ie
BY WILLIAM f. CURTIS
Special Correspondence Of The Star and the Chicago
Re .ord- Herald.

| e
ST. July 8, 1906
Everybody in Russia seems anxious to
preserve the good opinion and confidence of
the United States. and every serious person
have talked with has inquired how recent
events here have been regarded upon our
side of the water. This feeling extends
from the ear down to the humblest member
of the douma, of course with the exception
of certain reactionaries and supporters of
the despotism who do not concede us the
privilege of having an opinion concerning
Russian affairs.
The members of the douma. conscious of
their inexperience, are seeking advice from
very source in which they have conf
dence-particularly from Americans. They
are suspicious of the English, the Germans
and the Austrians. They recognize an an
Client alliance with the French, based upon
mutual interests, but are convinced that the
government and people of the United States
are entirely disin terested and unselfsh to
their motives, because we have no political,
diplomatic, territorial or commercial rival
ries. They credit us with honest inter-
est in the progress and welfare of Russia.
This feeling was illustrated in a remark
able manner during the recent visit of Will
liam j. Bryan to St. Petersburg. The labor
members of the douma worshiped him as IL
he were a Messiah, and all concerned
showed profound respect for his advice and
opinion. He could have secured permanent
employment here as general counsel to the
party of toll Its leaders were in almost
continuous consultation with him during his
stay. He had his pictures taken In a group
with them and wrote them letter of con-
graduation and counsel, which they have
had photographed that everybody can
have a facsimile copy.
American Newspapermen Consulted.
American business men in st. Petersburg
have been frequently appealed to for in
formation and advice by the leaders of the
several parties in the douma, and American
newspaper correspondents and magazine
writer's. who are quite numerous here now,
are consulted daily about political prece- |
dents, parliamentary practice and policies. |
One of the most important papers thus far |
adopted by the douma Is said to have been |
drafted by an American newspaper CORE |
spondent. This feeling of friendship and |
confidence is not new thiHe--It has pre- |
vailed ever since we have been nation. |
The relations between the autocratic des- |
potism and the American republic have |
been the cause of much comment among |
other nations being unnatural, but they |
have nevertheless been sincere. and the /
thinking people of Russia have been keenly |
disappointed at the lack of sympathy from |
American newspapers and our public gen
orally during the Japanese war The same |
sentiments can be found among ali classes
of people. even in the imperial household.
Perhaps the most remarkable Illustration
of the peculiar relations between the two |
nations occurred last summer, when Presi-
dent Roosevelt undertook to bring about |
peace. between Russia and Japan. No other |
ruler In the world could have done what he j
did; none other could have approached the |
car or labored with him SO .strenuously- |
not even one Of his numerous relatives who
are scattered around among the crowns and
thrones and scepters of Europe
{ What occurred at Washington. Ports
mouth and Tokyo is well known and has
been widely published, but the story of the
negotiations at ST. Petersburg has never
been fully told. The Russians very
frank about it. They give President Roose-
welt full credit for the favorable results of
his Intervention. and, while it was resented
In certain quarters at the time, there is no
longer any feeling but gratitude.