The Washington herald., 1914-03-22
By COUNT sERGIUs wITTE.

consider a commercial treaty with the
United States an absolute necessity, be-
cause such conventions In the long run
are indispensable between all nations
But in the case of Russia and the United
States there have arisen some misunder-
standings. which, however, / am con-
WINGED time will clear away, especially
now that such an able man as NJ. Bark.
who himself is of Jewish extraction, is at
the head Of the ministry Of finance. 1t
is a matter OF patience on both sides, and
Of the able Intervention of some one with
sufficient authority to clear the ground
around the question.
feel personally convinced that before
many months have elapsed there will he
found a sincere desire on both sides to
settle the affair. as il will be seen that
the present difficulties are more tcchni-
cal than anything else. and can be solved
easily with just a little good will in
America as well as Russia-good will
which l. for one, don't doubt will be
forthcoming In both countries as soon as
serious discussion of the treaty Is begun.
Condition L. Abnormal.
OF course. the political horizon was
much darker a year ago than now, but.
nevertheless, there exists signs pointing
to an abnormal condition of things which
are far from being healthy. First, the
Balkan crisis is far from being at an end.
all that has occurred in that part OF the
world is but the first act in a great
tragedy.
We are standing on the brink OF the
second act and it is impossible to say
exactly when il will begin II may be
years before the curtain Is raised again.
and 1t may be only a few months.
The question of the Aegean Islands. the
Bulgarian and the Albanian question are
all matters which have not been settled
yet. while one must not lose sight of the
Roumanian question, nor of the fact that
although superficially the relations be-
tween Roumania and Austria have not
changed. in reality they have entered
upon a new phase entirely different from
what it has been formerly.
Secondly. the relations between the
powers composing the Triple Alliance
and those OF the Triple Entente are now
very much suspicious looking. II is per
fectIy true that Russia has not any ag-
gressive intention against Germany, but
on the other hand. the feeling which
prevails in France regarding Germany
may provoke in that country a consider
able amount OF mistrust as to our in
tention, too.
Mad Race Between AL"
Thirdly. since the beginning of the last
Balkan crisis the armaments OF the diff
ferent European powers have increased
greatly. and it is now a mad race be-
tween them all. This constant arming
on the part Of Europe. on sea as well as
on land. is, OF course, not a peaceful
sign despite all that can be said to the
contrary.
Fourthly. We are on the eve of a re-
newal OF the RGsso-German commercial
treaty. In general. all our commercial
treaties come to an end in 1917. and in
view Of the fact that the commercial
and economic relations between the diff
ferent European powers plays. at the
present time, a most important part in
their political relations also. 1t is i'm
possible to foresee what serious disagree
ments a renewal of these commercial
treaties may lead to. because they would
undoubtedly have their rc-percussion on
general politics. and give rise TO con-
flicts which the sword alone could settle
Nevertheless. so far as Russia is con-
cerned. she Will do all in her power to
avoid such CONFLICTS. unless called upon
to defend her national honor or vital
interests. which as yet have not been
threatened.