THE COLONIST. Published Daily— Mornings. Nelson, Thursday, October 11, 1894. THE CZAR.

Colonist, Volume XXXVII, Issue 806, 11 October 1894, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Daily— Mornings. Nelson, Thursday, October 11, 1894. THE CZAR.

It is evident from late cable messages that the Emperor of all the Russiai is in a very precarious state of health. Born in March, 1845, he is not yet fifty ytars of Bge, but notwithstanding a fine physique and a regular life, he appears to have broken down ; it may be owing largely to the natural anxieties that have followed great responsibilities, and a state of constant apprehension lest the maohinations of the enemies to good order and government might lead to a fatal blow. If it be that anxieties have undermined bis health, his fate may be regarded as even more pitiable than that of his father, mangled though the latter was by infernal weapons. Alexander the Third has proved himself a man of peace, and it has been largely due to his influence that war has been averted or delayed. During his reign, however, Russia has increased ia power. In European Russia the population is said to increase at the rate of something like a million and a half annually, but not only has this great Power gained in the number of its people during late years, for it has gained al-o in power of agression, and in the means provided for attack and defence. Its navy has been strengthened, and it has gradually secured sometbing approaching command "3 the Black Sea in spite of treaties. Some few yeara must yet elapse befo;e the railway through Siberia to the Pacifio is completed, but Russia has made material advances in the way of railway construction towards the north of India. With a Pacific ruler these advances may not be looked upon as giving any cause for uneasiness, but may not the whole position be changed, and that speedily, should the illness of the Czar prove to be beyond treatment. The heir is a young man, a little over 26 years of age, and of his leanings little is known, though it is Baid that he is not fayorab'e to the French alliance. But the opinions of one who has no responsibilities may be varied as soon as a weight of care has to be taken up, and consequently it becomes impossible to judge as to the future. The fact that foreign stocks fell in prioe when the serious nature of the Czar's illness became known is an indication that any change j is deemed dangerous, and in view of other j complications the present must be regarded as a somewhat critical time.