6 JUNE 1908, Page 13

LETTERS TO T1IE E D LTO R.

THE KING'S VISIT TO RUSSIA.

L'ro THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR." j Sin,—The agitation in the Daily News and elsewhere against the King's visit is simply the result of a complete misunder- standing. The responsible leaders of the Liberal Party in Russia, Professor Milyukoff, Mr. John Petrunkevich, and others, are all in favour of the King's visit. They understand quite clearly that the question of to-day is whether the champions of friendship with England or the advocates of docility towards Germany are to prevail in Russian Govern- ment circles. They are also quite convinced that on the solution of this question depends to a- large extent the development or failure of Constitutional principles in Russia. Whilst appreciating the intentions of their Liberal friends in England, they consider their action at this juncture as very untimely, and as only to be explained by want of information as to the actual state of things in Russia. I must add that this view was communicated to the English Liberal Press. As a matter of fact, for the reasons already given, nothing could be more timely than the King's visit to Russia, precisely from the point of view of those of us who ardently desire the ex- tension of Constitutional principles in Russia.—I am, Sir, &c.,

[We publish the above with great pleasure, for Mr. Bernard Pares, who writes from the Russian capital, knows what he is writing about. He is in close touch with the leaders of Liberal opinion in Russia.—En. Spectator]