18 FEBRUARY 1871, Page 3

A noteworthy and very disagreeable incident occurred in the House

of Commons on Thursday. It appears from the Blue-book on the Paris Treaty that Mr. Odo Russell, discussing the Russian Note with Count Bismarck, had said that Great Britain "would be compelled with or without allies to go to war with Russia." Sir J. Hay asked if Mr. Russell had authority to make that state- ment, to which the Premier replied, that " it was not directed by Her Majesty's Government." He did not blame Mr. Odo Russell, who was only using the best arguments in his power, but still he was unauthorized. We thought it was usual when questions of this sort are asked to decline to reply. Clearly next time Mr. Odo Russell uses a menace, even if authorized, Count Bismarck will regard it as an individual opinion, and go on unmoved.