The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-05-31
THE NEWS FROM LONDON
BY HENRY DEvEREAUx.
Russia in Manchuria- -EngIand's Imperial Policy.

London, May 22.-Just now the news papers are raging at Russia not evacuat- ing Manchuria, and at Germany under taking to build a railroad connecting the Mediterranean with the Persian gulf. It seems only reasonable that Russia should, under one form or another, become domi- nant in Manchuria, and although the Russian scheme of government Is not one which English radicals regard with par ticularly favorable eye. they have the sense to know that 1t is far better than that of China. When the Russians built their Siberian railroad, 1t was self-eyi- dent that they would insist on obtaining clear roadway Pacifcwards, and that Manchuria, would-once occupied never be evacuated We gave pledges and as- surances that our occupation of Egypt would be temporary. We are still there. Suppose the Russian minister of foreign affairs should reply to a demand on our part for the evacuation of Manchuria by an assurance that he would seriously consider the matter as soon as Great Britain was prepared to leave Egypt. As. for the Bagdad railway. we seem to for-
 
 had a scheme for a British railway con- meeting the Mediterranean with the Per sian gluf. If the Germans like to spend their money on what seems an undertake ing not likely to prove a highly remun- erative one to the shareholders, we have no reason to object, for the more rail roads there are, the better 1t is for the world In genrral But, there are men in England who are not lunatics and they laugh at our cabinet ministers who de- plore the "high-handedness'' of Russia and forget how 'high-handed' England has been.
 The kings continental tour will add to his popularity at home as well as abroad. He has undoubtedly done the country considerable service at time when It was much needed, and his subjects have cause to be greatful for the good sense snd the unfailing tact which have eri- abled him to do 1t successfully. The ideals of national policy which have been dor'inant for the last few years had ie- duced this country to the position of an lshmael among the nations, with It's hand against every foreigner, and every foreigners hand against 1t; and the in- convenience and danger of this state of things had become too obvious to be ds- guised by clap-trap brag about our splendid isolation" We need, perhaps more than, any nation. to be on good terms with all our neighbors. and to avoid all cause of dislike and enmity. The king by his personal influence has done much to revive feelings of cordiality to- wards this country among nations whose friendship we ought never to have for feited. We have reason to congratulate ourselves on the Kings reception in France. do not attach excessive im- portance to the shouting of the man in the street, whether in London or in Paris t is generally mere froth. and the froth of Paris is even more airy and unsub- stantial than that of London. But the Paris demonstrations have pleased, as well as surprised, people in this country; and, even If they are taken for more than they are worth. they will evoke in re- sponse feeling of cordiality lover here which should have its effect on the inter national relations of the two countries. With perhaps the exception of the United States, there is no foreign power whose good will we ought to cultivate more