The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-03-30
Only a Modus Nirendl.

In his speech in Parliament the other
day. Lerd L-ansdowne said that, if it
should be made plain that the secret
agreement about TO be consumInated
between Russia and China was IN the
nature OF = moeiUs viyendi. it would not
be considered by Great Britain in 'G.Py
earring spirit. This remark, cite as
might be expected. furnished an open
ing for the adroit Russians. who. in
Washington and everywhere else are
declaring with great unaniElity and
emphasis that the convention which. as
Il appears TO be now understood. Rus
STA has peremptoriIy ordered China to
sign by April / Is nothing and never
has been anything bat a modus vivendi.
Il Is an undoubted truth that words
and acts do not always square with
each other We do not fancy that the
mere calling a treaty a modus vivendi
would. for example. make any deep i'm
preston on tie powerful mind Of our
pOet-premier. He knows from personal
experience that national territory can
be surrendered and ceded under the fic-
ton OF a mCdus yiVendi a good deal
a-A-tLE ANA-F-Ag anu S+l-1--1 i--c-l- II zA4t
other way Juggling with phrases viii
not alter facts. The DecaIogue would
be exactly what it is II it were referred
Il as ships log or timber log in the
language OF diplomacy. which seldom
calls things by the right names where
Il can be avoided
However designated. there is ample
reason for believing that the convention
which VIII be signed unless somebody
besides Japan should threaten war. VIII
place Russia in formal. as she now is III
actual, possession of Manchuria The
irritation IN Europe over this prospect
Is more acute than ever. although il Is
doubtful If it viii lead to anything
worse than strained diplomatic reIa-
tons and some mutual iIi-feeling. In a
speech which the Kaiser made TO the
officers Of the Alexander regiment. Of
which the Gar IS the honorary colonel.
in Berlin Thursday evening. his Males
y referred TO political subjects, and
among other things. said: Attempts
have been made 10 disturb the cordial
friendship between Russia and Ger
many It IS certainly not my fault II
such attempts have temporarily proved
successful"
Opinions vary IS 10 what the Kaiser
meant by these words. Some German
editors appear 10 think that Lord Lans-
downe was in the imperial mimi. but
The more popular theory seems to be
that the Emperor had reference 10 the
influences which are thought 10 have
shaped TIE Cars policy and course IN
China against his will Nicholas II IS
known TO be averse to many things he
has been compelled TO do al The behest
OF that hidden power in Russia in the
hands Of which the ruler Of the day is
often helpless
If we may credit today's reports. ia
pan. while actively preparing Tor war,
may not go 10 that length. unless the
territorial integrity or administrative
independence Of Korea is Interfered
with This probably means that Japan
has been unable TO secure any promise
Of assistance from any OF the Powers
she has been sounding in that direction
On the whole. we are unable to see any
thing in sight 10 prevent the most sig
nal. important, and ominous triumph Of
Russian diplomacy in a century.
There are grave considerations be
sides the prsoccUpation Of Great Brit
ain which viii operate 70 preclude act
i've interference with Russia in her pro
gramme in China. An important one is
contained in the fact that the Balkan
peninsula is ripe for a general uprising.
II would not require much secret in