Asia, When there is nothing but stone walls and bristling bayonets for the Russian war party to knock its head against, it may be hoped that some gleams of reason will penetrate even its dense consciousness, indirectly strengthening the hands of the peace party and effectually preventing any thought of revenge either upon Japan or England in. the near future. Revenge is sweet, but prudence makes certain that it is attainable before trying to take it. Now it is certain that Russian aspirations in this direction must be curbed by recognition of the' inevitable, and for this reason we may look for. continued Mongolian frontiers, for the mainten-quiet along the Manchurian and
ance of the status quo in Afghanistan, and for.a tacit acquiescence by everybody inthe British' Monroe' doctrine for the Persian gulf. Arabia is disturbed, but in view of the present agreement (we are presuming the vienna telegram to be true) the excitement will cool down without the interference of new forces, new ambitions, or new intrigues. What the understanding respecting the Near East is, it is difficult to say. England is less interested than she was in that neighbourhood, and Japan not at all beyond the fact that she naturally wishes to be sure that the Canal shall ever be open to the forces of her ally. Probably an elastic understanding has been come to respecting this" portion of "all Asia," but for the rest there can be no question of the advantage as well as of the importance of the alleged alliance. As reported it helps to secure the peace and progress of the world,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.