The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1916. THE ALLIES.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 45, 27 May 1916, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER SATURDAY, MAY 27, 1916. THE ALLIES.

The foreign editor of the "Xovoe Yremya," who has always been an anient advocate of constitutional reform in Russia, lately discussed the relations between Russia and her Allies in the great war, and in doing so says he has frequently heard it stated that a political union with Great Britain must necessarily influence the current of internal politics in Russia. Some people were glad, others sorry, to record this statement, and it seemed to him that herein there was some danger for the future of Anglo-Rus-sian relations. Russia has had sad experience of the confusion of internal and external problems. It brought Russia grievous disappointment and misfortune. During the whole of the past century her foreign policy was guided, by one main purpose: To support the' monarchical principle, which formed the basis of Russian internal life, in Europe and even in Africa. The foreign influence of Russia was diverted) entirely into this home channel. In the name of this ill-fated idea Russia exhausted her national strength for the restoration and maintenance of all tottering thrones in France, Germany, Italy, and even Turkey. For the monarchical principle she "saved" the from "rebellious Magyars" and at her very borders fostered the growth of a rival and foe. For the same reason she consolidated Prussia. and hastened the formation of the | iron German Emperor. She even saved her traditional enemy Turkey from the rebellious Khedive. But, the writer quoted goes on to say. this illomened policy came to an end underi the reign of Alexander 111. The late Tsar, an autocratic monarch, who

could not endure the word "constitution." left the a.TTance of the Three Emperors in favor of an understand-] iiifj; with a democratic republic. The Tsar's conscience had become awakened to the fart, dictated l>v n strin« of, misfortunes, that similarity in the internal political organisation of States 1 I

docs not imply a community of interests between them. The unlimited Russian sovereign in close friendship with French parliamentarism ; an autocratic sovereign in indissoluble alliance with a republic—it was a new era in Russia's diplomatic history. Where would Russia be now had this change not taken place, and had continued to identity home with foreign policy? Old Russian Monarchists' bitterly opposed the friendship with France, but nevertheless; i-.he tie between a monarchy and a republ e,| which they so condemned as being dangerous and unnatural, did not in.< the least weaken the internal constitution either of Russia or of France. Both continued to develop according to their respective laws; neither one people nor the other made any attempt to influence the home policy of the other. Therein lies one of the essential conditions which have promoted the growth of Franco-Russian friendship. A warning is uttered regarding; people, and even political parties,! who would like to make use of partis-] an objects, but though the three great nations—Russia, Fiance and Britain—most remain friends and allies, it is for each to remain herself and, if she' wishes, to develop the friendship and I alliance in the future.