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Show 00 A LOST FRIEND. The American squadron paid a visit to Kronstadt not long since. There were well conducted balls, and well Irrigated dinners, and complimentary speeches and flattering comments In tho Russian Journals. In a way, theso demonstrations or good will were genuine gen-uine enough. Thore wll never be war between America and Russia; probably prob-ably there will never be anything that even threatens war. But the old, deep friendship which was once felt for us in Russia is gone and there is not much prospect of its ever coming com-ing back. Thero was never a stranger thing ' than this fondness of an autocracy for a great republic But that it was a genuine fondness every thoughtful traveler bears witness. For some undefined un-defined reason Russia liked us; and for a very good and sufficient reason' we liked her She stood by us in tho Civil war, when the Palmeraton ministry min-istry in England was, trying to stack tho cards for European Jntorvention. Wc bought Alaska, no't becauno -wo wanted It. but to find an excuse for paying Russia theexpenBos of her floL on rthat vlsiniwblch raoant- so much to us when the struggle Vas at its hoight. Russia nover sought our direct alliance, never thought she neoded it; but she did think us her friend Thou came the Russo-Japancso war. American newspapers, unconsciously' following tho path marked out for them by tho English Journals, took for the moat part the side of Japan, and pictured Russia as a great, wanton bully, striving to beat down a llttio. but "valiant, natiou qf patriots. When Japan had done her utmost and found It not quite enough, when in splto of her splendid triumphs sho was on tho edgo of bankruptcy, while Rubsla s resources were scurooly Impaired, our president put In his proposnl for mediation med-iation Russia believes, and with a great deal of reason, that this projiosai which sho had to -accept. Is all that kept her from triumph and Japan from destruction. Sho may forgive us But she will nover trust to our friendship again, not while this generation lives, at least. Wo havo lest a unique and vol-uoablc vol-uoablc friendship, and It Is not clear that wo have gained anything to take Its place. |
