The Russian Government, it seems pretty clear, is most anxious
not to appear to be desiring war. It has just con- cluded a treaty of commerce with France, and is about to publish its details. It anticipates, however, that the Press will attach political importance to the treaty, and has there- fore warned all editors in an official circular that they must not do so. The Times' correspondent in St. Petersburg says such a circular is quite unprecedented, and wonders why secret instructions were not bent as usual; but the reason seems pretty obvious. The Government wished foreign Powers to know that it did not itself attach political im- portance to the treaty. There is reason to believe, we are told, that the Emperor of Russia is growing even more averse to war than he has always been ; rebukes the action of the Pan- Slays, which leads inevitably to war; and is carefully avoiding quarrels with Austria about the Balkan States. Apart from accident, that should mean peace for a long time,—for Germany has no desire for war, Austria desires nothing so much as a continuance of the quiet which has already put her finances straight, and France will not move until she has an ally ready to move also.
Previous page
