The respect paid in St. Peterslourg to the Prince of
Wales bas been most marked, the Czar keeping him perpetually by his side, and a rumour has arisen that Russia and Great Britain are to enter upon a period of amity. Indeed, it is stated that the conditions of the informal alliance have been settled, and that the two Powers are to dictate terms of peace to Japan, and to insist that the Dardanelles and the Bosphorus shall be open to ships of all nations, whether commercial vessels or men-of-war. It is not likely that anything so definite has been settled; but it is certain that both France and Austria are alarmed, and that Germany is inclined to be out of temper, — a disposition mani- lested by absurd language about British extensions in South and East Africa. We have stated elsewhere the reasons which make a Russian alliance with Britain at once attractive and difficult to both countries, and need only remark here that unless accepted by the peoples, it will be of little value. It would take fifty years to carry out the
changes to which such an alliance, if limited to Asia, would almost inevitably lead. There is no official confirmation of the stories, and no denial worth anything ; but it may be taken as certain that the two Courts, which are now bound together by so many ties, will bicker less than heretofore. Relationships do not bind States, but increased courtesy and goodwill is of itself something.
