We do not want to engage in controversy with the
Novoe Vremya, for such a controversy might injure the cause we have at heart; but we, of course, admit that our proposals are valueless if it is true, as is suggested, that Russia no longer desires to go to Constantinople or to increase her " sphere of influence" in Asia Minor, or, at any rate, if she feels that she must abandon such aspirations because of Germany's claims in those regions. All we desire to do at present is to note that the tone of the Novoe Vremya's article, and its remarkable promptness in dealing with the Spectator's proposals, would seem to give support to the allegation that the Novoe Vremya is very much under German influences, if, indeed, not directly inspired from Berlin. The article almost amounts to a declaration that no nation can venture to come to an under- standing with Britain, since the establishment of such an un lerstanding will be construed by Germany as an unfriendly act.
