On Monday the debate on the Anglo-Russian Agreement was resumed
in the House of Lords by Lord Sanderson, who, in expressing approval of the arrangement, regarded it as of hopeful augury that Russia had for the first time evinced a readiness to meet our advances. Lord Midleton having also expressed general approval of the policy embodied in the Agreement, Lord Lansdowne subjected it to a long and careful criticism. He owned that the terms caused him some misgivings. He would have preferred an exchange of Notes on the Persian Gulf question to the assurance given us by Russia, and be regretted the omission of the Government to acquaint the Amir beforehand with the nature of an Agreement so deeply affecting Afghanistan. But on the whole, and while admitting that the Agreement must stand the test of time before its efficiency could be fully realised, Lord Lansdowne cordially welcomed the Agreement as tending to heal old sores and bring
two great nations nearer together. Lord Crewe, replying for the Government, said he was glad that the verdict of the House was on the whole favourable. The Agreement had effected a decided improiereent in their relations with Russia; it had elicited no protest from Persia; and it would, he was sure, not only benefit the two signatory Powers, but also tend to the peace of Europe and of the whole civilised world.
