We notice that several of the war papers advise that
if the Russians enter Constantinople, the British Government should refuse to enter Conference until• they have. marched out again. If that course is recommended merely as a preliminary to a decla- ration of war, it is only objectionable as being rather undignified, but if it is intended to act by itself, as a measure of coercion, what does it mean ? Russia does not want a Conference, and Austria and England do. To- refuse to- enter one, therefore,is only to isolate ourselves, as we did by rejecting the 'Berlin Memorandum, and either leave Russia and Turkey to settle matters alone, or transfer the decision entirely to the three Emperors. It is a bit of pettishness akin to that of the boy who tells his schoolmaster that if not promoted " he won't play."
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