There is an interesting article, "The Apotheosis of Russia," in Bluckwood's Magazine for July. In reference to the assertion that the rise of Russia's position is specially threatening to Britain, the writer says it is hardly a word more than the truth.
This language sounds extravagant, but it is well worth the while of Britons to consider in a little detail the factors which have combined into what may be very literally called this commanding position. It is Britain that this position threatens, beyond any doubt—not perhaps by the choice of either Russia of ourselves, but certainly by the necessities of our relative us in the world. In the Fastern hemisphere Great Britain and Russia are the only two expansive powers in any real sense. There are others, such as France and Germany, which resist absorption, and even xeck out barren spheres for the expansion that never comes. But the fact that such Powers resist absorption is only the more reason for certainty that the time will come when there will be no room for the simultaneous enlargement of both. The moment may come in the twentieth century or in the twenty-first, but come it must and will. And how. ever the advocates of an Anglo-Russian understanding may delude themselves or others in London, there is no delusion in St Petersburg: Hostility to England is the alphabet of Russian policy," says the forward school; an understanding if you will," say even' the most moderate, "but it must be an understanding, not of common interest, but of rivalry." That such an understanding must be either impossible or useless will be argued later at present we may endeavour to see what the dangers are against which, whether by understanding or by opposition, we have to guard ourselves.
Referring to the fact that Russia's principal triumphs are not in Europe, but in the East, the writer says It is not in Europe, however, but Eastward, that the recent triumphs of Russia have been won; and these triumphs were duly summarised in the presence of many illustrious envoys at the coronation. For the first there was the half-sinister, half-abject figure of Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria, A" triumph over so pitiful a creature was not, perhaps, worthy of the full magnificence of the occasion. Since he nerved himself, first to get rid of Stambouloff, who had made and mastered him, and next to stand aside while the maker and master was murdered by semiofficial agents of his Government, it was quite plain that all the Prince needed was permission to abase himself. Yet the Victory cost nothing, and poor as it is, is not without a definite promise of advantage for the future.
Possibly the most sensational of Russia's bloodless victories was personified in the ence of Zia Pasha, envoy from the sultan of Turkey. That Abdul Hamid should have thrown himself bodily into the arms of his ancient enemy and the avenger of his persecuted Christian subjects, came to the general public as a most bewildering reversal of all their ideas. Turkey combining with Russia against England! It was the first step towards the restoration of the empire of Chaos. But to any one who had penetrated even a little way behind the scenes at Constantinople, the revelation was no way surprising, and was indeed but the accomplishment of the inevitable. They had seen it coming for years, long before this country finally threw away any shred of influence she still had at Constantinople by ser mad campaign for the Armenians.
Here is an extract in reference to the mission of Li Hung-chang and the significance of Chinese congratulations to Russia No statelier envoy brought sincere and humble congratulations to the new Emperor than Li Hung-chang. For thirty-five years he has stood for his country in every emergency of peace or war; at the end of a long life he is coming for the first time to visit the barbarians of the West. He has brought his coffin with him, but that he has consigned to London, feeling the impoliteness involved in dying at a coronation. Is not this also an omen, even as the belated advent of Abbas Mirza? And does Li Hung-chang also conceal a secret treaty in his yellow riding. jucker? It has been confidently so asserted by those who should know, but here again there is no need to insist on the superfluous, Treaty or no treaty, China also has found her asylum in Russia's hospitable bosom.
Tu conclusion, the writer, dealing with the reason why Britain and Russia cannot. agree, says The truth is that Great Britain and Russia are too big ever to agree for any time. We believe that to our race will fall the ultimate supremacy of the world; Russia, believes exactly the same of herself. Sooner or later the two ambitions must collide, and we had better be making ready for that Absorb all possible strength before the con. great day at once. To allow Russia to flict is to put a premium on defeat and ruin.—Ocerland Mail.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.