NEWS OF THE WEEK
WE are extremely glad to be able to record that the Committee which organised the Address to the Puma have decided not to send the proposed deputation to St. Petersburg. The evidence which has been accumulating during the course of the past week indicated in the most unmistakable way that this step would have prejudiced the cause of Russian freedom, and also that good under- standing between Russia and Britain which all thoughtful men so earnestly desire. The special correspondents of several of the most important newspapers warned British readers as to the evil effects that were likely to flow from the deputation, and we hear from other trustworthy sources that some of the best and most enlightened friends of liberal institutions in Russia looked with grave anxiety upon the advent of the deputation. Though grateful and appreciative of the intentions of the signatories to the Address, they felt that the public presentation might give an opportunity to the worst section of the reactionaries which would have been eagerly seized upon. Again, responsible Russians who desire a better understanding between their country and our own showed a great deal of anxiety as to what might happen if the deputation insisted on visiting Russia. M. Stolypin, the Russian Premier, in an interview with the correspondent of the Daily Mail, strongly insisted upon the view that the deputation would have an un- favourable.influence upon the relations of the two Empires, "lately grown cordial after long years of misunderstanding and distrust."
