The Russian Emperor will, however, have to make " greater concession than thiel to the cause of Peace if the Disarmament Conference is to have any practical result, So far the first and only practical step towards carrying out the object of: the Conference has been taken by this coun. try, when Mr. Goschen, in introducing the Navy Estimates, clearly intimated to the nations of the world that the naval programme there Inid down wad subject to very considerable modifications if an agreement in the direction of checking the growth of armaments should be arrived at by the Conference and ratified by the Powers. There is, however, every reason to believe that the Czar is in earnest; and if so he can hardly fail to prove his sincerity when the Conference meets by following the example which this country has set him. On Wednesday Mr. Balfour received a deputation from the " Int national Crusade of Peace," a society which has laid itself open to no little criticism by its methods, but which must be given credit for: having worked very energetically to stimulate British public support of the Peace movement which the Czar has originated. Mr. Balfour told the deputation that he was not a very sanguine person, but that he was nevertheless very hopeful on this subject of Peace. He does not apparently expect, with confidence, any immediate practical results from the Conference, but he believes the movement will have a' great indirect influence on the nations who will take part. Mr. Courtney made the rather remarkable suggestion that, as an earnest of England's sincerity, Lord Salisbury should himself represent this country at the Conference. There are, however, two' objections to this proposal, considering the official rank of the delegates who have already been appointed by the other Powers. It would, in the first place, be hardly dignified for Lord Salisbury to join them in Conference, and in the second place it would give Great Britain " preponderating voice in the discussions which would perhaps arouse the jealousies of the other Powers.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.