On Monday night a London Gazette appeared containing the Queen's
proclamation of neutrality, and her warnings to her sub- jects not to engage on either side in the war between Russia and Turkey. It was at once noticed, however, and prominently put forward by the Daily Telegraph, that a passage contained in the Declaration of 1870 had been excluded,—a passage which runs as follows :—" We are firmly purposed and determined to abstain altogether from taking any part, directly or indirectly, in the war now unhappily existing between the said Sovereigns, their subjects, and territories, and to remain at peace with and to maintain a peaceful and friendly intercourse with each of them and their respective subjects, and others inhabiting within any of their respective countries, territories, and dominions." And the omis- sion of this promissory neutrality in the future in addition to the pre- sent is of course—and we fear justly—regarded by the Daily Tele- graph as a symptom that the neutral resolve now is much less firm and more conditional. We are afraid, indeed, that though British neutrality, like the new toughened glass, is of a tough kind, and resists many a blow, when it does break, it will, like the same material, shiver into a thousand atoms. In this declaration there certainly seems to be an anticipation of some event of the kind, if the English people do not speak out loud and well, and so encourage the Government to deserve the confidence of Sir John Lubbock.
