If Lord Lansdowne has not been misinformed, which, con. sidering
the wording of his answer, does not seem likely, a very considerable " mist of error " must have settled over Pekin. The next few days will, we suppose, show what has really happened; but meantime, and whatever diplomatic assurances the Russians may give, we shall, if we are wise,
accept none of them that promise evacuation. Manchuria has become as much a part of the Russian Empire as Egypt is a part of the British, or Tunis a part of the French, and retrocession to China must not be regarded as within the pounds of practical politics. But though Manchuria will not be evacuated, the Powers can and, we hold, ought to insist that it shall not be closed to international trade. The pressure, however, necessary to keep the door open should he exerted by the Powers jointly. They will no doubt be most willing that we should undertake the work alone. If we are wise we shall not agree to thus pulling the chestnuts out of the fire, but shall insist that the disagreeable part of the work shall be shared by those who will also share the benefit.
