Evening star., 1909-07-11

Pitkibas Bay happily come to naught
1t was assumed that the
attitude of Germany in
March last toward Russia in demanding
her assent to the settlement of the Bal
kan imbroglio in accordance with the de-
sires of Austria had left deep feeling
of resentment in Russia. The interview
at Pitkibas bay. it is understood now.
was Emperor Williams inspiration. and
was designed to dissipate by verbal as
surances the resentment Of the Russian
government and people. and not. as sug-
gested in the press, to obtain further
hurniliating concessions from Russia.
The Steele of Paris remarks on the sub
ject:
Politics is not game in which the
losers may be consoled with fine words.
Since Russia did not see ut to resist
the pressure brought upon her by Ger
many in March. it would do no good to
manifest her i'll humor in June. The
account opened by the annexation of
Bosnia Herzegovina will be settled sooner
or later. and 1t is impossible to under
stand how Russians could prepare the trt-
umph OF their cause in declining to main
tain good relations with Germany"
A Correspondent from st. Petersburg
reflects public opinion there on the inter-
view at Pltk1DaS as 1OllOWS.
"The interview is. very strange the
day after the Austro-Servian crisis. when
NJ Won Buelow not only supported Aus
tria. but declared that he was ready to
back her up with arms. Impartial peo-
pie felt that the kaiser occupied himself
entirely too much about Russia. During
the Russian revolution the Emperor OF
Germany would have sent troops into
Livonia to support German agrarians
against Livonian peasants who were IN
revolt. The three Baltic provinces In
terested Prussia quite as much as Alsace
did prior to the war of 1870"
The st. Petersburg correspondent would
like to know the nature of the kaiser 5
conv versa ton and counsel to the czar.
The construction Of second line of
fortresses on the frontier In Russia has
produced no little stir in the grand stat
corps at Berlin. And this event. 1t is
readily understood. is taken seriously be-
cause it counteracts all the plans OF Ger
man tacticians.
1.-THE kaiser expects to dissipate all our
fears" says the St. Petersburg CORE
spondent, ''lull into secu-
Kaiser's rity Nicholas II as Bis.
marck did Napoleon III
and prove to us that the
expense is useless and the fortifieations
calls the letter which the kaiser wrote a
British minister of marine to induce hin,
to suspend the reorganization OF the Brit
ish navy, and at time when Germany
was pushing her preparations to the ut
most. Such memories are too recent to
be forgotten. They are sufficient to SOW
distrust at moment when grave ques-
tions are pending. First, the question OF
Crete, which II badly treated may mix
up things badly. Then the question Of
Persia. in which the difficulties are many
Then. too. France. which has trouble with
her labor considerations. functfonarfes
and socialists. Then, too, the question OF
Poland, against which the kaiser has
never ceased to induce Russia to act IN
order that the idea of panslavism may o.
stamped out: panslavfsm, which renders
both Germany and Austria anxious. And
in this connection it should be added that
the union of the Slav people, which is
dear to the Russian heart. depends much
upon the policy which Russia may adopt
toward the Poles"
The St Petersburg correspondent re-
marks that the occidental press has adopt
ed the idea, and asserts it frequently. that
Russia is completely disOrganiZed and re-
duced to impotence since her disaster IN
Manchuria. But such is not the case. There
are defeats more useful to an army than
victories. Exp erience shows that nation
is infinitely more fit for war the morning
after a great war than when wrapped In
the sleep of protected peace in which
intoxicated by past victories. 1t abandons
itself to the enervatfng leisure Whlch Is
the vice Of small garrisons.
The Gazette de lAllemagne du Moro
protests against the hostile interpretations
of the foreign press concerning the recen,
interviews of the kaiser and the cZar. l,
is sufficient, says that journal. TO possess
the will to comprehend that Russia 1r
maintaining her alliance with France ano
her entente with England would preserve
her liberty at the same time to snare heI
interests and good relations with Germany
and the group of central powers.
I. x
1t astonshes the Gazette that certain
powers expected Russia to be led into a
fundamental and persis.
Russia tent opposition against
the two neighboring en-
racine. pires. These calculations
have not succeeded now, and will not sue
ceed in the future. For u.s. says the
Ga zette, the meeting of tho emperor nd
the car was destined as an exchange OF
amicable views and does not indicate any
change III the essential lines Of European
policy. but signifies that the two sover-
eigns desire, after, as before. to cultivate
and develop their personal relations and a
cordial understanding between their coun.
tries"
The Temps. which represents the con-
servative sentiments of the French gov
ernment. recalls the personal relations
Of William III and Nicholas III, and which
dates from afar. Without doubt the
oriental crisis has furnished to Germany
the occasion to render to Austria the
active services which have been dis
agreeable to the Russians Not h.
standing the explanations of the Gazette
the Temps emphasizes the fact that the
German government did exercise a pres.
sure upon Russia which compelled that
government to bow before the pretensions
of BallplatZ 1t did not follow. however,
that Russia should nurse i'll feelings
against Germany. Nations. like individ-
uals, should know what they want and
how far they may go. When one yields
to the other. it should do SO with good
grace. 1t is natural, therefore. that
Nicholas ii. making long voyage in
Europe and passing through German
waters. should meet with William III.
The contrary would be astonishing. The
relations of the powers are determined
today by permanent reasons which are
not at the mercy of the visits between
sovereigns.
The Temps, which is usually strong and
clear in the expression Of It's opinions, ap-
pears to have handed its pen to its Office
boy in the foregoing attempt to write
something conciliatory. The editor re-
sumes his article on the situation more
vigorously, thus:
LET us suppose that Russia could quit
the double alliance to join the triplce. 1t
would be to forget forty years of history
BINGHAM.