THE INDIAN FRONTIER

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13296, 1 October 1906, Page 4

THE INDIAN FRONTIER

In. spite of internal strife the Government of Russia continues to act as a great world-Power and to be treated by foreign countries as though its future were assured. In

pursuance of this diplomatic convention of ignoring all civil broil, the treaty-making influence of King Edward has apparently been exerted to bring about a pacific adjustment of differences between Russia and England which might lead to serious trouble if left in a state of uncertainty. /These differences all relate to India, its frontiers, and its approaches, and it is stated that they have been arranged by a mutual give-and-take. The suggestion that the navigation of the Dardanelles is to be permitted to Russian warships in exchange for an agreement of nonintervention in Tibet, and of the limitation of the Russian sphere to the north of Persia, will excite discussion and criticism if it proves to be correct. But the United Kingdom has long ceased to regard the existence of the Empire as dependent upon the closing of the Dardanelles to Russian ships and upon the exclusion of Russian troops from Constantinople. To bring under an internationally-recognised suzerainty the various States that lie around Hindostan is now the leading ambition of our India a policy. To attain this aim by pacific negotiations would mean so very much to our Imperial diplomatists that they would probably make important concessions to secure on this point a satisfactory arrangement with Russia. In any case the removal of causes of possible quarrel must receive general approval; and no monarch has done more for his country in this good direction than King Edward has done for his and ours.