Der Deutsche correspondent. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1841-1918, 1916-12-25
RUSSIA'S NEW EASTWARD
MARCH.
BY svetozar Tonioroff.


When the warning world meets
around the green table Russia viii
present case OF exceptional
strength.
This strength will proceed large
ly from the fact that Russia does
aot care how long the struggle con-
tinues.
Never before in history has Rus
sia found herself in a position of
such strategic advantage in the great
game Of empires. Her contribution
TO the entente alliance has consisted
in 4 men--and practically only in
men. Manpower is cheap commodi-
ty in the czardom Of the north.
Russia's population has increased
materially since the beginning of
the war. It now exceeds 100000
600 Souls" as they say in Russia.
The bifhrate is as much in excess
Of the birthrate in the other great
nations of Europe as in the popula-
tion There are 46 births in the
year to each thousand Of the grand
total of 180,000,000, In Germany,
the next most fecund of the western
European peoples, tho birth rate is
80; in Great Britain, "a; in France,
10.
Russia, then, could continue the
war for q century without facing
deficit in her human resources.
Practically all her financial and
material resources Russia draws
from Great Britain and from France.
The war on the east front Is being
fought with British money. The
suspension OF the supply that con-
stantly streams in from beyond the
frontier" as the Russians say,
would compel Russia to lay down
her arms in a monitor face an
inhalation.
And here is where the essence Of
Russia's advantage over her prin-
cipal ally England, looms up por-
tentously
TO assume that Russias alliance
with Great Britain is permanent is
to admit that traditional enmities
can be transformed into ardent
friendships by a stroke of a states
mans pen Through the Victorian
era Russia was the menace OF Eng
land. That menace was not the re-
suit OF treaties, alliances or under
standings. 1t was the result Of CON
flicting aims based upon geography;
tho outcome OF diametrically op-
posed aspirations.
An Echo of the Past.
England's bitter opposition to
Russias march upon Constantinople
all through the nineteenth century
was only q single phase of the fear
and distrust OF Russia which found
expression in Kipling's lines:
chiefs, ,,ro,,,f,o a., ,,,,cloothod
sword,
A graycoat guard on Helmund Ford.
The sinister figure Of Adam zad,
the bear that walks like a man"
must be looming large in the vision
of British statesmen in these historic
days, when tho readjustmcnt OF
worlds obliterated frontiers is en-
gaging the attention of Christendom
Russia has only recently reitcr-
ated her passionate desire for the
attainment of her goal-Constanti
nople and the Strait Of tho Darda-
nelles AS the lines are forming for
the peace conference which must
come sooner or later, Great Britain
Is coming face to face with the fact
that Russia"s ambition for a free
outlet TO the sea Is not TO be satis-
fled through the achievements of
the entente alliance.
Great Britain cannot very we'll
giye away that which she does not
hold 1t is increditable that British
statesmen should contemplate the
possibility OF taking away by diplo-
matte pressure the strategic capital
which Turkey has defended SO sue
ccssfully with the sword. Such leger-
demain is beyond the powers OF
statesmen.
Baked Of her purpose to possess
Constantinople, Russia will yet be in
position to bargain. She will in
position to bargain with Germany
BY this time 1t is thoroughly under
stood at Petrograd that Germany has
no desire to keep Russia from access
to the sea. The Germans only in
sist that that access shall not be ef-
footed by the subjugation OF Turkey
and the seizure Of Constantinople
and the straits.
II is safe to assume that the very
mention by Russia of the Persian
gulf as the alternative 70 an unat-
tainablc Constantinoplc would cause
a commotion in the British Foreign
Office and among the British people
that would menace the Russian all
lance with disruption
Russian occupation Of the head OF
thePersian gulf is even more danger
GUS to England's overseas empire
than the seizure on Constantinople
From base on the Persian gulf the
Russian power could menace India,
tho Suez canal und Egypt even more
effectively than from Constantinople
IiTeconcicablc Conflict.
1t will be seen. therefore, that
future struggle between Great Brit
ain and Russia for mastery in the
east IS no less likely now than 1t ever
has been. The irrcconcilable con-
flict Of interests is merely held in
check pending the present struggle
During this war Russia Is fighting
her past and her future enemy with
her own weapons. She is weakening
England with English gold.
And by prclonging tho war Rus
sia is merely prolonging and intensi-
Tying The strain upon the material
~ T., ,.p