20th September, Even though the "Times" under its present management has ceased to be the mirror of public opinion that it was in the days of Delane, it has still considerable influence particularly out of England, and it is pitiable to see it devoting its columns touch a baseless attack on Germany, When the "Spectator" indulges in these aberrations from time to time we smile and say it is only "pretty Fanpy's way," but such attacks made by the "Times" are still capable of doing a great deal of mischief, And what are the evidences on which the "Times" bases its charge against Germany of having a secret understanding with Russia? Some German liners have been sold to Russia and converted. into cruisers. But the selling of unarmed steamers by a neutral to a belligerent is perfectly legitimate; a large number of British and other steamers have been sold to Japan. The big German steamboat companies are in the habit of selling their liners directly they begin to get out of date, while it is the Labit of our companies to cling to their liners until they are absolutely obsolete; and if the Hamburg-American Company can get a good rice for its older steamers, of course sells them to Russia, as it would to Japan, if Japan wanted them, The coaling of Russian cruisers This is also perfectly—legitimate, and there are plenty of British subjects here " perfectly ready to provide coal or provisions or anything else the Russians may require, if there is money in ib, Admitting ships of the Porb Arthur
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.