It is probable that, war being postponed, other questions were
discussed between the two potentates and their Chancellors, for it is stated that Russia promised to use her good offices to induce Belgium to change her laws, and that Germany promised to use ler best endeavours to persuade England to come to a final agreeznent with Russia about Central-Asian affairs. These state- ments have not yet been confirmed, but if they are true, they mean that severe diplomatic pressure is to be applied both to Belgium and Great Britain to modify their policy on subjects really of internal interest. It is very difficult to understand what Prince Bismarck wants in Belgium or Prince Gortschakoff in Central Asia, but we may be certain in either case that it is something which the menaced State will be most unwilling to grant. There may be serious events in Kashgar before long, if the Chinese troops are massing on the frontier in the' 'numbers reported, and we trust Lord Derby will not be betrayed into another Luxemburg guarantee. The only safe course in Central-Asian politics is to remain perfectly free to act as the interests of the Empire may at ttie moment of action dictate.
