The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1911-07-26
AMERICA AND RUSSIA
ARE HISTORIC FRIENDS
Visit of Fleet Revives the Friendly
Call of Russian Vessels
in 1868

ST. PETERSBURG, July "a
Coming at an interval of forty-fivc
years after the redoubtable trip OF
the monitor Miantonomoh to Cron.
stadt. to return the friendly call 81
the Russian warships in New Yorl
In the critical times of 1868, Admira
Badgers squadron aroused old mem
cries of nearly a century of Russo
American history. which had become
a tradition in Russia, rudely shaken
| by events since 1903.
Admiral Badgers reference to the
Miantonomoh at a banquet rendered
by the Imperial River Yacht Clue
was the Keynote of the evening, as
it hattered the pride Russians take
in having furthered the fortunes OF
the American Republic, to which
they formerly habitually referred as
"Our Trans Atlantic friends"
The lack of adequate advertise
ment of the fleets coming did not
interfere with it's developing into a
fair success Before the week of the
squadron's stay was over, the Empe-
ror and his navy, with the people of
Petersburg, had succeeded in max
ing the guests feel thoroughly at
home.
The emphasis laid upon the fact
that the squadrons visit was only a
service cruise may account for the
scanty crop of impressions in the
newspapers. Most metropolitan
dailies published articles of welcome,
combining themselves to generalities,
and to reporting the various fetes
offered to the visiting admiral his
officers and men. Some, like the
Russkiya Vyedomosti of Moscow,
which is the dean of the Russian
liberal press. did not print a line Of
editorial comment upon the visit.
Others took the view that its main
object was a bid for Russian sup
port against Japan. but opinions di-
Vded as to what Russia's reply to
this bid should be.
The Petersburg Gazette declared
that the International situation fur
nished firm ground for n Russo
American rapproChement. THE East
brings Russia and the United States
together, just as Germany brought
Russia and France. and lately Eng
land. together stated the Gazette,
Russian and American interests
cannot b. secured better than by a
unity in their Asiatic policies The
general feeling that Russia should
make good terms is voiced in an in
terview with Admiral Skrydloff. who
warns Russia against selling cheap"
The same idea is urged by the
Gems chtchina, of Petersburg. a reac-
tionary organ, which declined to be-
lieve that the visit was destitute of
a political purpose. and says: This
visit is reflection of popular
tendency in America in favor Of
seeking, in the shape of an interna-
tional political combination, a coun-
terpoise against the Japanese dan
ger. with which America cannot
think of coping unassisted. But the
sweet smiles and amiableness OF the
Yankees ought not to turn the heads
of our diplomacy, and Russian SUI
port ought to be accorded only in
exchange for real advantages to Rus
STA and not for the mere sake of
differentiation between two nations
which stand at the opposite poles of
belief, national spirit and traditions.
Finally. a third view is that Amer
lea is acting in bad faith, flirting
with Russia, for the sake of exciting
the jealousy of Japan, and Of driv-
ing better bargain with her. This
view was defended at length In an
article in the Petersburgslli Vyedo-
mosbi Prince Ukhtomskrs newspa-
per The writer further develops the
idea that Russians and Americans
are widely divergent national and ra-
cial types. which have scarcely a
trait in common, but the color OF
skin
similar variety OF opinion was
manifested by the press, in its treat
ment of the actual situation in the
Far East, as affecting Russo Amer
lean relations. The Novoe Nremya,
Russias leading organ, sharply at
tackled American activity in Manchu-
ria. during the squadron's stay. un-
deferred by a possible charge of dis
that the situation had nothing In
gain by the VaEueness on important
outstanding questions. In attacking
and opposing the American invasion
of Mauchuria, Russia was combotting
the same trusts and combinations a
capital Wh ch TIE American people
had long been trying to control.
On the other hand, the Reich, ed
tied ny Prof MiIyukoff took the OF
posite view of the matter and ar
gued that American proposals with
regard to Manchuria are not directed
against Russia, and that Russian d.
| plomacy had missed II notable op.
portunitY in not acquiescing in ar
American iniative in Manchuria
! which would fight Russias battles
/