(3) Russia's Thwarted Efforts to Gain a Good Sea Frontage.— Russia furnishes a good example of the effect of bodies of water upon political relations. That country has the longest coastline of any country in the world, but most of it is useless. Let us consider each of the four coasts: (a) The Western coast, bordering on the Baltic Sea, has a twofold disadvantage. First, the ports are closed by ice from three to five months or more in the winter. Second, all the commerce bound for the open ocean must pass through the narrow straits at the western end of the Baltic, which can easily be blocked by an enemy. During the Great War Germany was easily able to close the Baltic completely to Russian commerce. In spite of these disadvantages Petrograd, the chief seaport of Russia. lies on this coast.
(b) The whole vast northern coast of Europe and Asia is prac tically useless. During the Great War the closing of the Baltic by Germany compelled Russia to use the western part of her bleak northern coasts during the short open season. The ports of Mur mansk and Archangel assumed a temporary importance, but this vanished with the return of peace.
(c) On the east, that is, on the Pacific coast of Siberia, Russia is hampered only a little less than on the north. Even as far south as Vladivostok the ports are troubled by ice for four or more months in the winter, and commerce is impeded. Therefore in 1895 Russia obtained from China the right to build a railroad through Manchuria, and to hold an ice-free, outlet to the open sea at Port Arthur. She held this desirable harbor only a few years, however, for Japan had long coveted it and was desirous of asserting her influence in the northern parts of China. Accordingly, Japan declared war and ex pelled Russia from the coast of southern Manchuria.
(d) On the south Russia's only sea-coast was for a long time on the inland Caspian Sea and on the Black Sea, whose only outlet to the open ocean is through the narrow strait of the Bosphorus at Con stantinople. Since the Turks held Constantinople and there seemed DO prospect of obtaining a free outlet there, the Russians again and again considered the project of an advance across Persia or Afghanis tan in order to reach the Persian Gulf or the Arabian Sea. In spite of some progress, however, they never succeeded, partly because of England's strenuous diplomatic opposition, but also because the des erts and mountains of Persia are serious obstacles to railroad build ing. Because'of her inability to gain a desirable seacoast Russia has.
been greatly hampered. This cut her off from the rest of the Allies during the Great War, and the isolation thus caused was a great factor in her collapse and in the spread of Bolshevism.
The Rivalry of England and Russia in the Waters of Southwestern Asia.—England has generally opposed Russia's plans to reach a favorable seacoast because their success might threaten British rule in India. For a long time England feared that war might arise with Russia. If that happened a strong Russian fleet coming out of the Black Sea or from a good base on the Persian coast might close the Suez Canal, cut England's communication with India, and cripple the British Empire. For that reason England for many years sup ported Turkey, and insisted that Russia and the other Great Powers sign a treaty which agreed that in time of war the Bosphorus and Dardanelles should generally remain closed to the passage of all war ships except those of Turkey. For the same reason England used every possible means to strengthen her influence in Persia. The Great War and the common enmity against Germany, however, con verted this rivalry of England and Russia into friendship. Now the internationalization of Constantinople and the collapse of Russian ambitions for expansion have freed England from all fear of Russia by sea.
How England's Relation to the Sea has Spread British Invest ments Worldwide.—England's relation to Russia is only one phase of her interest in sea power. Her activity by sea has not only given Great Britain the greatest colonial empire, but has led the British to make investments in every corner of the world. Before other great nations were ready to do so she was able to carry the world's trade and thereby built up great fortunes from the profits on freight. Be cause she had surplus capital from those sources and from her man ufactures and also because her abundant means of communication by sea kept her in touch with all parts of the world British capital has been invested in all kinds of enterprises from Cape Horn to Alaska and from New Zealand to Norway. These investments keep her permanently interested not only in her colonies, but in every other part of the world, and thus give the British a broad interest in world politics quite different from the provincial interests of most people who live far from the sea.