Great Britain and Russia.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXIII, Issue 7323, 26 September 1898, Page 4

Great Britain and Russia.

We think most people are by this time convinced that Lord Salisbury is not likely to readily involve Great Britain in a war with any of the European Powers who are now clamoring for Chinese concessions in railway making. His Lordship's opinions on the matter are fairly indicated in the following extract from a speech which he recently delivered in the House of Lords :—He failed to see how the liberty to make a railway in a foreign country CQjUld give them political power in that country, but if the .concession was allowed to run in such a form as to tamper with or exclude our trade it would be a substantial breach of our treaty rights which would be firmly resisted. Whether, however, capital would be found to make railways in China and whether that capital would be found by Englishmen or by the subjects of other nations was a matter which would depend on others than her Majesty's Government and one for which they were not responsible. In connection with the above, the London Times has the following In an article on Lord Salisbury's recent speech in the House of Lords on Chinese railway concessions, the Novosti dwells with speckl satisfaction on the Premier's remark that such concessions did not involve political influence in the country which granted them, and that Russia might construct as many railways in China as seemed good to her, provided that she did not obtain privileges prejudicial to British commerce. The Novosti hopes that such sentiments as these may find expression as often as possible in the British Parliament, in order to dispel the erroneous opinions entertained regarding Russia's policy in the Far East. "Itis a mistake," continues the journal, "for Great Britain to forget too often that if Russia really wished to injure British interests it would be quite possible for her to do so, first of all, in India, whereas she has, on the contrary, concluded a convention with Great Britain which guarantees the latter's Indian possessions against all danger from the side of Russia. There cannot be either any question of danger to British interests in China from Russia. We should not be in a position to expel Great Britain from the Chinese markets, and we have no need to do so. Such a danger as this is more threatened by Germany than by us. What, then, have the British to fear? The Manchurtan Railway 1 That only serves as the natural' extension of the Trans-Siberian line, and cm only benefit Great Britain. " It is a mistake to regard Russia as the rival of Great Britain—although, in truth, it is difficult to see how they can be rivals, considering how different are their spheres of activity. There is something altogether abnormal ■in Anglo-Russian relations. Perhaps an explanation is to be fouiid in the radical difference between the AngloSaxon and Slav : characters. Whatever may be said, Great Britain and Russia will not succeed in understanding each other. The efforts made in this direction by persons so worthy of consideration as the late Mr Gladstone or as Lord Salisbury are deserving of all respect; bub of what avail are the efforts of a few isolated until a favorable change takes place in the peoples themselves, especially by means' of education. It is, iti fact, the education of youth in unjustifiable prejudices which engenders the false standpoint on which publicists and Parliamentary orators in turn take their stand and deliver opinions which it is evident they have learnt at school." Indefatigable efforts are being made by certain. German journals to create or to intensify bitterness between England and Russia. =——■»