We shall, of course, return to the subject of the
Agreement when the details are published, but even without knowledge of those details it is possible to say something as to what has been accomplished. Hitherto it has almost been a common- place of diplomacy to assert that though an Agreement between Russia and Britain was most desirable in itself, and though there was no essential obstacle to such an Agreement, it was practically impossible that one should take place owing to the mutual suspicions of the military party in Russia and of those in this country who favour a forward policy in India. Further, it has often been asserted that the dislike felt in Germany to any rapprochement between Russia and Britain would be an almost insuperable obstacle. Happily, Sir Edward Grey and M. Isvolsky have been able to surmount these obstacles, and free themselves from pedantries and prejudices in regard to so-called essential and natural enmities.
