OCR Text |
Show RUSSIA'S METHODS. Russia's expressed fear that the United States Avill absorb Panama reads like a stupendous joke coming from that source. 0. W. Barnaby, in "Tho World's Work," tells hoAV Russia proceeds when she wants a country. By the Avay, in the last fifty years Russia has taken in more territory than tho Avhole area of our country. Mr. Barnaby says that first, privileges are obtained ob-tained for Russian merchants and caravans to pass into .or through the coveted country for trade; to open stores; to trade at ports and naAi-gate naAi-gate rivers, to establish post routes with stations sta-tions for drivers and horses; and to hero and then? install consuls. Then concessions are obtained foi cutting timber, opening mines, or concessions we obtained AVhereby Russian subjects may purcha e large areas of land. Then rights are obtain d to protect consulates and other Russian proper y and to protect the Christian subjects of an uu christian government. Army reconnoitering i peditions are sent into the country disguised us merchants, or accompanied by a detachment of Cossacks, and claiming to be purely scientific peditions. Out of solicitude for her neighbors she engages to watch over the conduct of Russian merchants that they may do no wrong, and permits the prospective victims to employ Russian officers to tiain their armies, and lends them money. That description gives one an idea of how the camel which obtained permission to thrust his nose into the tent of the Arab was able in a little while to crowd out the family and take full possession. After that it is as now in Manchuria -the Russ will promise to leave just so soon as the removal can be safely made. There is, however how-ever this to be said in Russia's favor. All her ; eastern conquests have resulted in a safer and better government than the natives' had before Russia's entrance. But with that record is it not perfectly natural for Russian newspapers to conclude that the United States will never stop until she absorbs Panama? In our place Russia would never stop until she had taken in all South America, even as she dreams of taking all Asia. She has, however, how-ever, undertaken about the biggest thing in her history, the Russianizing of the Chinese. She is catching a Tartar sure enough and though she is of Tartar stock herself, it will tax all her strength and endurance to make a good Russ out of the son of Confucius. |