We cannot say that we find in Lord Lansdowne's speech
any proof that the Government have adopted a clear or satisfactory policy, either as regards the whole Chinese ques- tion or as regards the special Russian problem. It appears to us rather that they have adopted a policy of drifting covered over by a thick coating of platitudes. But that is not the way in which to secure the real interests of this country. We are glad, of course, to see that the Government do not intend to fight Russia over the Manchurian agreement. In fact, they mean to allow Russia to occupy in Manchuria the posi- tion which we occupy in Egypt, unless all the rest of the Powers .will undertake to atop her, which it is perfectly obvious they will not. But if Russia is after all to get Manchuria, would it not have been much more statesmanlike to have said so plainly, and withdrawn all opposition except as regards trading privileges ? As it is, our attitude comes perilously near a declaration that we shall bark, and bark very loud indeed, over Manchuria, but that it must not therefore be assumed that we mean to bite. We suppose Lord Salisbury would defend his policy as an ingenious system for preventing us putting our money again on the wrong horse. If he is engaged in this innocent deception, he is making a great mistake. He will find that on the Chinese question the public is most willing to be led, and led straight. If he would only come forward, the nation would infinitely prefer his leadership to that of the Times correspondent at Pekin.
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