The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-04-10
Anqlo-Russlan Understanding.

| London. April 9-The Associated Press
| learns that the exact status of the much
forecasted Anglo-Russian understanding
| is as follows:
| After King Edward had given his per-
sonal assurances to Nicholas IL that the
| Russo-phoebie comments in the British
press old not represent the attitude of the
| British government, Foreign Secretary
Lansdowne Informed the Russian ambas-
sador, Count Benkendorff, that he would
| be glad to reopen the negotiations look
| ing to a settlement of all quesiin now
LIN dispute between Russia ard GREAT
Britain. Lord Lansdowne did not stipu-
| late ruy basis or enter into any details
Ambassador Benkendorff expressed his
pleasure at the offer, and transmitted II
| to st. Petersburg, where Lord Lans-
downes action is understood to have been
taken as a material expression of King
| Edwards personal message. There, FOR
| the moment the affair stands.
| Negotiations beyond Lord Transformers S
| offer had not been commenced and are not
| likely to assume any definite phase in the
near future. No great hope was felt here
| that they could ever reach conclusion
satisfactory to both countries, though in
view of the Ango-French agreement
even the most pessmistic are unwilling
| to be too dogmatic on this point.
| Both King Edwards s personal action and
| the step taken by his foreign secretary
are due to a great degree to the untiring
solicitation of Queen Alexandra, who has
| been greatly distressed over the war
which has involved her Russian relatives
and Great Britains ally. Diplomats ac-
| credited to the court OF st. James ex-
| press surprise at the fact that Lord
| Lansdowne has gone even so far as ne
| has.
Has Taken Initiative.
| That Lord LaLsdowne has taken suen
| an initiative while Great Brtains ally
| is still at war with Russia is regarded as
| being a somewhat bold and unexpected
| step, all the more so because 1t Is under
! stood here that all the Russians at 81
| Petersburg still studiously avoid visiting
the British embassy. One OF the mem
| hers of the diplomatic corps here on
learning what Lord Lansdowne had done
said: .'rhat is an olive branch with a
vengeance"
The Associated press learns that Rlus-
sia and Great Britain secretly negotiated
| to the same end IS months ago, but the
| attempt to draw up an arrangement came
| to an abrupt end when Lord Lansdowne
announced in the house OF lords tnat hn-
| der no consideration would Russia De al
lowed a port on the Persian Gulf" Since
| then that question has been as great
| drawback.
| Under the changed conditions and with
| the good officers Of the French govern
ment secured through the recent agree
ment, Lord Lansdowne Is said to have
| entertained the hope of an eventual set
tlement by which Russian spheres of In
| fluence throughout the world may be de-
| termined and the ceaseless and costly
rivalry between the two nations ended
| forever. He Is also actuated by strong
| desire to cement the Anglo-French under
| aofr ttatu fnr "a
| zette Joints out, can be made immutable
| only by a complete understanding with
| Russia.
| Appealed to France.
| "If in a moment of great difficulty"
| saws the Westminster Gazette. Russia
| appealed for assistance 10 France on the
| pain OF transferring her affections 10
| Germany, no consideration for US would
prevent France from responding to the
| appeal since an alliance between Ger
many and Russia would be a catastrophe
| for which no understanding With Great
| Britain could compensate her.
| On all sides IT is pointed out that an
agreement on outstanding matters win
| Russia Is far more difficult than the re-
| cent arrangement with France. The par :
| amount questions are the delimitauoh Oh
| the Afghan frontier. access to the Per-
| sian gulf and the spheres OF influence IN
| Persia.
| Charles Hardine, who goes to St. Peters,
| burg as British ambassador In May, has
| been selected for his expert knowledge
of the Persian question. It is surmised IN
| well-informed quarters that Great Britain
| is willing to cede to Russia a sphere OF
| influence in northern Persia. II Russia
agrees not to interfere in southern Persia.
| II is thought that Russia's request for
| port on the Persian gulf never Will be
granted but the Associated Press learns
| that Russia lately has expressed keen
desire to acquire interests in Abyssinia,
| SO as to gain access to the Red sea-
| This might be arranged I'm lieu of a
port on the Persian gulf. Emperor Meme
| Xix, 1t is reported. has been informed Of
| the Russian desires and his cordial act
| In opening up his counsv to American
enterprises is attributed to his desire to
| secure American support against any pos
sible intention on the part OF Russia.
| The questions of the Far East and the
| Balkans are not thought likely to enter
| into the pending negotiations though
| Russia doubtless will endeavor to secure
British influence toward resembling the
provision of the Berlin treaty which closes
the Dardanelies TO the passage Of Ruff
sian fleets