M. Pichon's statement was in the right spirit. It showed
an exact appreciation of the character and purpose of the Triple Entente,—a League which exists only to serve the ends of peace, and which cannot rationally be alarmed at the com- pletion of Agreements, whoever may make them. It is evident that we shall hear a good deal in the near future of railway building in the Middle East. We are heartily in favour of the creation of an Indo-European line, and the conditions grow continually more favourable to its accom- plishment. As regards the Baghdad Railway, which Germany will now want to press forward, we admit that the circum- stances have changed since the scheme nearly took Great Britain unawares in 1903. But there are still important reser- vations to be made. We have written further on this subject in our first leading article.
