The Washington times., 1907-07-30

mendous moral support which
France receives by reason of her
direct alliance with Great Britain
these aspects have been discussed
for long time, and are well under
stood. Now comes evidence that
Russia is likely soon to be coaxed
away from the side of Germany.
First it was stated in most cir
cumstantial fashion that the age
long ambition of Russia for an ice
free port is at last to be granted by
agreement of Britain. Russia fought
her wars to get to Constantinople.
and at the last Britain's grim men
o'-war warned her back when her
banners could be deserted from the
towers of St. Sofia. Baked in the
near East, the Russian diplomats
turned TO the farther East, and pres
emily their arms were found at Port
Arthur, menacing japan, about 10
absorb Korea, and overawing China.
This time it was for the Empire of
the Rising Sun to turn back the
bear even as his iron-shod paw
seemed to hang over the Pacific.
From the great Peter 10 the little
Nicholas, the northern power has al
ways failed in its struggles TO reach
the summer seas.
But now the story is that Great
Britain is willing to permit Russia
port on the Persian Gulf. That
has been the manifest purpose of St.
Petersburg for years. Britain was
ready TO fight 10 the death for con
troll of the Persian Gulf. That she
should now yield assent to Russia
thus reaching the waters of the
Indian ocean can be explained only
on the hypothesis that Britain no
longer need fear Russian aggression
in India. The Anglo-Japanese treaty,
under which Japan's magnificent
army can be drawn upon for the
protection of India, guarantees that
Russia need no longer be feared.
With India secure, there is no great
danger in letting Russia reach the
Persian Gulf. And Russia, without
doubt, would gladly grant a quid
pro quo.
simultaneously with this remark
able report of changed attitude con-
cerning the Persian Gulf. comes the
story that Japan and Russia have
about. closed their commercial ar
rangements. and that Russia makes
significant concessions TO Japan, in
dicating that the two are likely
soon TO establish mutually profta-
bic relations of amity. They under
take mutually to guarantee each
others territorial status in the
East, after the fashion that France
and Japan have recently done.
All this can hardly be viewed at
Berlin otherwise than as evidence
that Britain and Japan are working
together to wean Russia away from
Germany. The Kaiser has his own
eye turned from Damascus TO the
farther East, and the Gulf of Persia
comes we'll within his vision Eng
land might easily prefer to have
Russia there by agreement than TO
have Russia and Germany united in
pressing for that ground of vantage
Russia has well-nigh ceased TO be
menace 20 India. British diplomacy
has outpointed the Muscovite in the
long series of maneuvers for pri-
macy in the affections of the Ameer
of Afghanistan. that potential and
progressive prince being now prac-
tically, if not actually, the ally of
King Edward. Britain, secure in pos
session of the greatest navy and the
most remarkable series of alliances
since the last coalition of Europe
against Napoleon, can at last treat
Russia generously. She is the more
disposed to do so because generos-
ity toward Russia may be made to
mean still further isolation of Ger
many.
And Germany now securely occu-
pies the position of bogie to Great
Britain. even as Russia once held
that distinguished position.