Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-23
FIND MANY MOTIVES
Russian Comments on Visit of
American Squadron.
SEE DEEP SIGNIFICANCE
Some Think It Bid for Support
Against Japan.
PROFOUND EDITORIAL VIEWS
Fetes Prepared in Honor Of Admiral
Badger, His Officers and
Men.
SEE DEEP SIGNIFICANCE
EDITORIAL VIEWS

ST. PETERSBURG, July 22.-Coming at
an interval OF forty-five years after the
redoubtable trip of the monitor Mianto-
nomoh to Cronstadt, to return the friend
" call of the Russian warships in New
York in the critical times of 1863. Admi-
raj Badger squadron aroused old memo
ries Of nearly a century OF Russo-Amer
lean history, which had become a tradi-
ton in Russia, rudely shaken by events
since 1903.
Admiral Badgers reference to the Man
tonomoh at the banquet rendered by the
Imperial River Yacht Club was the key
note of the evening, as 1t flattered the
pride Russians take in having furthered
the fortunes of the American republic,
to which they formerly habitually re-
ferred as "our transatlantic friends"
The lack Of adequate advertisement of
the fleets coming did not interfere with
Its developing into fair success. Before
the week OF the squadrons stay was
over the emperor and his navy, with the
people Of Petersburg, had succeeded in
making the guests feel thoroughly at
home.
The emphasis laid upon the fact that
the squadron's visit was only a service
cruise may account for the scanty crop
or impressions in the newspapers. Most
metropolitan dailes published articles of
"cicoiiie, ColllfiifS themselves 10 general
tiles and to reporting the various fetes
offered to the visiting admiral, his Off
GERS and men. Some, like the Russkiya
Vyedomosu 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 bid for Russian support against
Japan, but opinions divided as to what
Russia's reply to this bid should be.
Russo-American REINFORCEMENT.
The st. Petersburg Gazette declared
that the international situation furnished
Il firm ground for a Russo-American rap
prochement. THE east brings Russia and
the United States together, just as Ger
many brought Russia and France, and
lately England, together" stated the Ga
zette.
Russian and American interests can
not be secured better than by unity IN
their Aslatlc policies
The general 1eeiIng that Russia should
make good terms is voiced nan inter-
view with Admiral Skrydlof. who warns
Russia against selling cheap
The same idea is urged by the
Zemshtchina of st. Petersburg, q re-
dictionary organ, which declined to be-
lieve that the visit was destitute of a
political purpose. and says: This visit
is reflection of d popular tendency in
America in favor of seeking, in the
shape of an International political COM
bination. counterpoise against the
Japanese danger, 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 support
ought to be accorded only in exchange
for real advantages to Russia and not
for the mere sake Of determination be-
tween two nations which stand at the
opposite poles of belief. national, spirit
and traditions.
Flirting With Russia"
Finally. a third view is that America
Is acting in bad faith. flirting" with
Russia for the sake of exciting Tho
jealousy OF japan and Of driving a bet
ter bargain with her. This view was
defended at length in an article in tho
Peterburgski Vyedomosti, Prince I-kb.
tomskfs newspaper. The writer fur
ther develops the idea that Russians
ana Americans are widely divergent
national and racial types, which have
scarcely a trait in common but Inc
color Of skin.
A similar variety of opinion was
manifested by the press in its treat
ment or the actual situation in the far
east as affecting Russo-American re-
lations. The Novoe Vremya, Russia's
leading organ, sharply attacked Amer
lean activity in Manchuria during the
squadron stay, undeterred by q pos
s1ble charge Of discourtesy. 1t pro-
ceeded to explain that the situation
had nothing to gain by vagueness on
important outstanding questions In
attacking and opposing the American
invasion of Manchuria. Russia was
combating the same trusts and COM
binations Of capital which the American
people had long been trying to control.
On the other hand, the Reich, edited
by Prof Milyukoff, took the opposite
view Of the matter. and argued that
American proposals with regard to
Manchuria are not directed against
Russia, and that Russian diplomacy
had missed a notable opportunity in
m acnlliaScinR in American iniffa.