The Washington herald., 1912-07-15

week IN Europe was the announcement
that the German Emperor and the Car
OF Russia werei to meet during the Gee
ond week Of this month at one of the
Finnish Fjords of the Baltic. This news
/ Is Of greater Importance than usual. for
1t followed the Official information that
Gar Nicholas had decided to receive the
French Premier, NJ. Raymond Poincarre.
at St. Petersburg on August 10. thus
prociaiming loudly that while Russia In
tends to remain good friends with
France, her entente" ally. she will not
allow the continuance Of such an alli-
ance to interfere with her ancient friend
/ ship toward her German neighbor. This
plain showing Of sentiment ought to
throw cold water upon the agitators
among the French Natlonalists. who re-
gressive because OF the promised aid of
the Militarists In the Chamber.
| 1t is surprising that German statesmen
are only too apt to overlook ons very
| important factor in Russia's foreign
policy. The Gar Is autocrat of all the
Russias, not only on paper. but in reality.
Behind him. the secular as well as reli-
gious head of his people. Is the whole Of
| Russia. The small hand of revolutionists
| or nihilists who strive for humanity,
progress, and liberalism do not alter
| these conditions. The Gar Is the lead
ing-in fact, the only-factor in Russia's
foreign policy. He is the actual Foreign
Minister, not the sickly, yacillating NJ.
Sasanoff. His word is law; he formulates
the foreign policy of his empire. Hence
his wish to meet the German Emperor
and talk matters over with him, as both
have done repeatedly heretofore while on
their yachting tours In Northern waters,
has a significance which ought not to be
Judged too lightly.
None the less the French Premier will
be received right royalty in the capital
by the Neva, despite the fact OF the
continued friendliness and relationship of
the two great monarchs, and also de-
spite the unfortunate coincidence that
his visit Is rather Ill timed. seeing that
Il has been planned for a period when
all Prussia is busy with thee preparations
for the centennial celebration that Is TO
commemorate the destruction of the
''Grande Armee" OF the first Napoleon
on the snow and ice fields OF Russia. aft
er the great Corsican's vain attempt to
conquer Moscow. which "holy city" In
cluding Kremlin. the Russians reduced
to ashes rather than have II fall into
the hands OF the pillaging enemy.
BY the time that the Premier OF his
good friend. the French nation" returns
to Paris. Gar Nicholas will hold reli-
gious Thanksgiving services in the Krem-
lin at Moscow and on the historic battle
field OF Brodino. In order to offer thanks
TO God for the most terrible defeat which
Russia's nation annie ct allie" ever was
made to suffer in her entire history.
Genuine patriotism is apt TO ignore po-
lItical treaties and alliances on such
momentous occasions. especially when
they are OF the kind OF the Franco Rus
sian pact. every word OF which ought to
act like a sword thrust upon the pride
Of the true Russian patriot.
This may be the year for Russian CEN
tennials. But next year II is Germany's
turn. There will he banquets and jollih-
cations without end; monuments will be
unveiled, silver-tongued orators will rouse
the nation. and word-smiths will be busy
coming new and catchy phrases 10 en-
hance the pride OF all Teutons. But II
the truth must be told, but little. 10 any.
of the iron discipline. OF the simple dis
charge OF duty, the unfinching response
to the call OF the downtrodden father
land. will be witnessed In the doings
of next year. to commemorate the hero
ism OF the man at the plow who willing
ly parted with the means Of earning his
livelihood in order to have the iron of
plow and scythe cast into cannon balls,
which at the terrible ''Voelkerschlacht'
Of Leipzig saved the country and freed
II from the yoke of the remorseless Cor
sican conqueror. aided by the armies Of
that same Russia. which herself almost
had been ruined by the same mailed
fist, and which as the outcome Of modern
politics had so far forgotten her nation |
al pride as to ally herself with the for
mer relentless enemy.
Next year will be the centennial also |
OF the founding by Friedrich Wilhelm |
III. of the famous Iron Cross. For" he !
said. my people gave up their iron |
implements to furnish the impoverished |
and King with ammuni- |
tion. and honored they and all OF us |
shall be by the memory of their IRON |
like courage and loyalty as craven |
upon this cross. made of iron" Not |
that the Prussians of TO-DAY are less |
patriotic, or less willing TO sacrifice |
their all for the fatherland: but as
there are no deeds of heroism to per-
form now. they shall have to be salts
fed to make as much as they can OF 1
the great deeds of their forbears, who |
fought at Jena and Auerstaedt, at Leip-
zig and Waterloo.
Berlin art circles have been agreeably
by the intelligence that Prince
August Wilhelm of Prussia, the fourth
son OF the Kaiser. had been elected to
head the art commission which is to
select pictures and sculptures now be-
Ing shown at the Moabit art exhibition
for the Royal National Gallery. Next
10 the crown prince, Prince August
without a doubt is the most
popular of the Kaiser's children, per-
haps because he is the only one of his
sons who did not follow a military ca
reer. They call him in Berlin, der
Civil Prinz." He has studied law and
has passed his examination receiving
mis- diploma as doctor of "cameralia"
craftsmanship. AS a rule art and
aw do not mix well, but his work in
the dusty courtrooms does not seem
10 have had bad effect upon the
fresh. youthful. cheerful disposition of
The only Hohenzollern prince who is
not a soldier.
The consideration of the annual
budget in the French Chamber the 9TH
er day brought out quite a severe crit
cism of the organization and equip
nent of the army of France. An officer
who is a deputy Ia Nationalist) called
he attention of the minister of war
70 the marked numerical superiority of
he German over the French army. BY
'eason of a recent augmentation, Ger
many, after October next, in the event
If the sudden outbreak Of hostilities,
le said, would be able at once to place
100000 men in the field against the