A Reuter's telegram from St. Petersburg dated January 4th gives
some significant comments made by the Novoe Vremya in regard to the Alliance with Germany and its bearing on the situation in the Persian Gulf. The Novoe Vremya says that there is no reason why Russia and Britain should not come to an understanding, " unless, indeed, the British have decided to remain for ever the satellites of Germany, and henceforth to look at everything through German spectacles." That is exactly the kind of spirit in which our Alliance with Germany was sure to be received in Russia. One of the penalties of a German alliance is hostility from the two Powers most capable of injuring us,—Russia and France. Germany dreads; aboire all things, our coming to an understanding with those Powers and with the United States, and it was the hope of estranging them and us which no doubt chiefly influenced her action in regard to the Venezuelan affair. But though Germany wants us to quarrel with Russia, she has no desire to do so herself, and therefore entirely refuses to join with us in our protest against the passage of Russian vessels of war through the Dardanelles. Incidentally, however, we may be glad that Germany will not support us, for why we of all Powers should rush in to stand in Russia's path in this connection it is most difficult to see. If Russian ships come through the Dardanelles they are at once vulnerable.
