16 JULY 1904, Page 2

One interesting point of etiquette is raised in the discus-

sion. Lord Lansdowne consulted certain Protectorate officers who happened to be in London at the time, and Sir Charles Eliot complains bitterly that such action was disloyal to him, since it meant going behind him and treating with his sub- osdinates. The fact, of course, is that any chief authority is justified in such action on certain occasions, though a wise man will resort to it as rarely as possible, in order to preserve the etiquette of the official hierarchy. In this case, and in view of the tone of the Commissioner's correspondence, Lord Lansdowne was abundantly justified. We must add our deep regret that so able a diplomatist as Sir Charles Eliot should be lost to the public service.