BRITISH FUTURE IN RUSSIA.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLII, Issue 90, 19 May 1916, Page 7

BRITISH FUTURE IN RUSSIA.

All the leading Russian newspapers lately gave long reports of the British Flag Society dinner and dwelt upon its importance. The presence of the Premier was a surprise and is taken to mean that the authorities as well as the great majority of the Duma are favorable to closer relations between Russia and Great Britain, The Ambassador's speech is warmly welcomed and has created the best posstblo impression. M. Alilmkoff is also loudly applauded for summing up the reasons which made regard Britain as their prop and bulwark: tirst because tho blockade ensured Gormany being exhausted beiore the Allies, secondly because Britain would not listen to any proposals of a premature and unsatisfactory peace, thirdly when peace came the ideals of freedom and honor for which the war was begun would certainly be upheld by free England, and fourthly Britain would see Russia 's need of finding an outlet through the Dardanelles. Genuine enthusiasm was aroused by the dramatic speech of Mr Hemmerde, on behalf of the British House of Commons, in proposing the health of the Duma. Altogether- a very successful beginning has been made by the movement, which may in the course of time have an important effect on world history, but conversations I had with innu-' ential Russiajis before and after the dinner strengthened my conviction that all depends upon the development of commercial relations. That demands the closest attention and the greatest energy.