The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-08-29
SIR IAN WITH THE GAR
The Importance Of His Presence at the Russian Army
ManeuverS

Tor Sucn action N tie tact that, accord
ing to a remark made recently by Mich
! olss II 20 Admiral Touchard, formerly
| French ambassador at ST. Petersburg. it
will require another twelve months to
complete the reorganization OF the Mus
covite army, and that his navy is sim
Ia process Of reconstruction. The En-
Deror therefore. in determining the set
telment OF this scheme OF western de-
/ tense, has 10 consider. not merely the
strategic advantages. which are undeni-
able, but the possibility of its precipitat-
ing conflict with Germany and Austria
before his people are ready for the strug-
gle
For some time past. in fact, ever since
the close of Russia's war with Japan,
the Kaiser and King Edward have been
competing so 10 speak. for -euinence
in the affections and good will Of Mich
olas H. The British ruler. as we'll as his
German nephew. are men of remarkable
hrilllancy, masters Of statecraft and
possessed of great powers of personal
magnetism and fascination. These they
have exercised 70 the utmost upon the
Gear.
The King has in this rivalry had the
advantage Of the support OF his sister
in-law, the widowed Czarina, and of his
niece, the young Empress Of Russia. who
was brought up 20 a great extent in
England under the watchful care OF her
grandmother, the late Queen Victoria, OF
whom she was a particular favorite.
Then, too, popular impression has al
ways prevailed to the effect that whereas
Edward VII was in hearty accord with
the Liberalist reforms inaugurated by
the Car, Emperor William was opposed
thereto and In favor Of reaction and au-
tocracy in Russia while last spring. when
the Kaiser at the time OF the Balkan
crisis was obliged to choose between
supporting Russia and supporting Aus
tria, he threw in his lot with the latter.
and thus enabled the dual empire 20 Sc
cure a diplomatic victory at the expense
OF Russia.
All this has contributed to further Eng
lish interests at the Court of St Peters
burg at the expense OF Germany. and
naturally the influence OF France has been
exercised In behalf Of Great Britain on
the banks Of the Neva in the matter.
The foundations OF the present under
standing between England and Russia
were laid in connection with the agree
ment between the two powers regarding
their respective policies IN Asia. and more
especially IN Persia.
The agreement, much criticised at first.
and which may be described as largely
due TO the personal diplomacy OF King
Edward, has stood the severe test OF the
recent revolution In Persia. which has
had the effect Of removing from the
minds OF both Britons and Russians all
remaining suspicious as TO one anOthers
loyalty.
II IS an arreau,ont v,,tfob ,,-as .ttlt f,,.
Their strengthened by the meeting Of King
Edward and Nicholas II at Reval last
year, and which has been cemented by
their recent intercourse at Cowes. The
presence of Sir Ian Hamilton at the ma
neuvers Of the Russian army now in
progress is the result of the Cars
visit to Cowes.
Some people have endeavored to argue
that this understanding between England
and Russia Is aimed against Japan. 1t
is improbable in the extreme that this IS
the case There is nothing TO show in
favor Of any such presumption. or to
lead TO the belief that either England
or Japan contemplate the reputation OF
their alliance. which has still several
years to run.
But there Is much beyond what have
mentioned above TO indicate that Il is
aimed against Germany. In Persia. Rus
sia and England are working against
German interests. politically and eco
nomically. The same may be said IN
Turkey, where the French Ambassador
is cooperating with his English and Rus
sian colleagues. the later a graduate OF
Oxford and a pronounced Anglophfe
while the intimacy Of the relations be-
tween the French. the Russians, and the
English is perhaps most strikingly shown
by the fact that the new French Am
bassador at ST. Petersburg, NJ. Louis, Is
known 10 have been appointed by the
French government. and to have been
accepted as persona grata by the Gar
at the personal suggestion of King Ed
ward, who has long known Louis, though
his name was scarcely familiar TO the
public either in France or abroad. owing
to the fact that most Of his work was
done within the precincts Of the palace.
on the DUAL dOrsai. where he has for
years been one Of the most influential Of
permanent officials. the occult power. in
deed. behind the throne.
Premier Stolypln Is a vigorous sup
porter Of his country's alliance with Great
Britain-for an alliance il is. in actual
fact. although It may be described as
mere entente cordlale. He knows full
well that whatever influence King Ed
ward has been able to bring 20 bear on
his nephew. the Car has been exercised
in behalf Of his own liberal policy, as op-
posed 20 the forces OF reaction.
The Kings complimentary reference to
the Douma In his speech at the official
banquet in honor Of the Car at Cowes.
and the EmperOr's expression Of grati-
tude for the hospitality and attentions
with which the members Of the DOuma
were welcomed by court, government,
and the public generally during their re-
cent visit 10 England, have had the ef-
feet not only Of reassuring people in Rus