23 JANUARY 1904, Page 1

conflict than the growth of hostile feeling between America and

Russia. The feeling in St. Petersburg appears to be that America, as a new and distant Power, has no business to interfere in questions which concern Europe ; while the American papers constantly harp on what they consider the faithlessness of Russia. The matter has gone so far that the Tribune, said to be the organ of the Administration, warns the Russians that if they impede the recent Treaty between China and America throwing open Mukden and .An-tung, there will be "unpleasant complications." Behind all this, however, there is, we imagine, something more serious, the belief that Free-trade with the Far East will be essential to the Pacific States of the Union, and the determination there- fore to keep the door permanently open.