We notice that the Frankfurter Zeitung concludes from an examination
of the Russo-German negotiations that Great Britain will now be obliged to enter into an agreement with Germany for the building of the Baghdad Railway, and must also recognise Germany's share in the development of Persia. The answer to that is that there is not, and never has been, any essential objection to helping Germany financially with the building of the Baghdad line, provided that those who pay have equal opportunities with Germany to call the tune. If Germany withholds that right, we should advise British investors to place their money elsewhere. As for our position in the Persian Gulf, we shall have to main- tain that with or without the help and sympathy of our friends in the Triple Entente. It may prove, after many moves on the chessboard of diplomacy, that we can look for rather less support abroad than before. There is only one way to provide against, and to be comparatively indifferent to, such a result. That is to make sure of having such naval strength that we shall be truly independent of the changing degrees of friendships which are necessarily governed by diplomacy. The ability to bestow friendship is frequently beyond the control of those who would most like to be our friends.
