Count Ifuravieff's official Circular of invitation to the Powers to
hold a Conference in order to prevent the increase of armaments has now appeared. We gave its substance accurately last week, including the still unex- plained proposal to put a stop to all improvements in naval warfare. The tone of the Continental Press, though respect- ful, is uniformly discouraging, even the Austrians, who of all people would benefit most from the stereotyping of arma- mente, declaring the proposals unpractical. One of them, indeed, the News Wiener Journal, points out with great shrewd- nes* a dangerous" feature in the Circular. The Russian
Government. it says, mnst expect war in the near future, or it would not be so anxious to prevent it or to limit its horrors. The Russian journals themselves are careful to explain. probably with a view to soothe the Army, that in view of so many menacing movements in the world Russia will not reduce armaments by herself. The general opinion is that nothing will be done except to extend the Convention of Geneva to naval warfare ; and unless the Treasuries have something to propose as yet madiscussed, this is probably the most accurate of the forecasts.
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