Our understanding with France is not, as Sir Edward Grey lately declared, directed against any other country, but other Powers will do well to realize and to take to heart his further statement that "it must be recognized that that understanding must not be impaired by any other development of our foreign policy." "The more clearly," he went on to say, "that both these things are borne in mind, the more clearly it will appear that for neither country is that good understanding a barrier or hindrance to good and cordial relations with other Powers." The French do bear both these facts in mind; if the Germans will only do so with the like sincerity, there is no sort of reason why our relations with her, which have improved so much, should not improve yet more. Of course, it must be understood that, however excellent they might become, they could not long endure were they to be utilized in the methods advocated by the "Deutsche Revue" and the newspapers, which are now striving to renew in regard to Egypt a campaign with a strong family resemblance to that which they prosecuted under distinguished patronage in Morocco, until they brought Europe close to a catastrophe. The Morocco campaign did not lead to results on which Germany has had much cause to congratulate herself in the long run. We can assure these organs that the Egyptian campaign will not be one whit more successful. We do not desire to attach too much weight to the articles in question, but the history of the Morocco crisis warns us that it might be unwise to ignore them altogether. ("Times").

There is, for instance, an admirable example of the need for good working terms between England and Germany supplied by a telegram from Constantinople which we publish to day. It is announced from the Porte that Sir Edward Grey has refused to accede to the Turkish request for an increase in the Turkish Customs from eight to eleven percent. That refusal has been clearly foreshadowed by the British Foreign Secretary's speeches and replies to questions in the House of Commons. He does not see his way to agree to the imposition of an additional handicap upon British merchants and traders, unless valid reasons are forthcoming showing the increase to be imperatively necessary. The practical influence which Great Britain can bring to bear upon the Porte in these days is so small that to throw away so important an advantage would be folly. Her chief political interest with Turkey at the present moment is to secure some sensible improvement in the lot of the Christian populations of Macedonia, on whose behalf she, in common with the other Great Powers, has repeatedly intervened. Sir Edward Grey does not refuse point-blank to agree to the increase of the Turkish Customs ; he demands, it is understood, guarantees that at least part of the extra revenue shall be employed in financing the Mace Ionian reforms, which Austria and Russia have pressed on the Sultan as the mandatories of Europe. ("Daily Telegraph.")

The visit of the King to Cronberg has been an unqualified success. We find it very hard to believe that it will prove—as some assert— a prelude to German interference in Egypt, nor do we imagine that Sir Edward Grey will make any mistakes if he be asked—as is also hinted—to revive the Bagdad railway project. This is not a time when it would be wise for Great Britain to increase her commitments in the Middle East, except upon the most prudent terms. There is, however, as we have pointed out, every reason for the European Powers maintaining the friendliest possible relations with one another. The health of the Sultan and the age of the Austrian Emperor would be reasons enough. even if they stood alone. But behind these considerations lies the Russian revolution, still steadily proceeding, despite the optimistic view to which our correspondent at St. Petersburg is always careful to do full justice. The actions of the Socialists are doubtless violent, but was anything else expected? The Court Party itself appealed from reason to force when it dissolved the Dums, and force is now the only remedy. ("Daily News.")

It is seldom that within less than six months there succeed each other commotions of such magnitude as the fierce eruption of Vesuvius, the San Francisco earthquake, and finally this upheaval in the most important region of Chile. We do not yet know, and probably shall not know with certainty for some time, what has been the extent of the damage. It will be remembered how in the case of San Francisco hopeful and pessimistic rumours came by turns, and that is the natural course of things when communication is uncertain and alarm still rife in the devastated area. Over and above the genuine human sympathy which every one feels for the victims of these appalling shocks, there is in this country, whose business connexions with Chile are so large, a keen interest in ascertaining the truth. The representatives of British and American firms in Chile are among our chief witnesses as to the facts, and it is satisfactory to find that their messages are mostly reassuring. At the same time, it has to be remembered that these brief reports are only partial. The writers are chiefly concerned to send information about their own premises and interests, and news about the general situation is only given by way. Putting together even arch comparatively meagre intelligence as we have, there can be no doubt that the shook has been widespread and severe. ("Times").

Fifty years ago it would have passed almost unnoticed as a domestic episode in a remote and only half-civilized region of the earth, which scarcely came within the sphere of our knowledge and or sympathy. In that state the Spanish Americans had their own remedy of temperament and custom. They took life easily : they lived amid a turmoil of revolution and change. An earthquake was an episode like another, which altered little where nothing was stable and assured. Their habits of thought and emotion had been designed like some natural aptitude acquired in the struggle for existence to discount and parry the effects of calamities which would shake a northern society to its foundations. To-day all this has changed. Revolutions are a thing of the past. Commerce has been built up on an international basis. The very population itself has ceased to be purely Spanish through the great influx of English, North American, and German immigrants. Suh a catastrophe as this means, one fears, a far graver disaster than it would have done when Chile was still a primitive society. ("Tribune.").

We think that the Foreign Office has been wise in reopening diplomatic relations with Servia. The horrible conspiracy which destroyed the Obrenovich dynasty ought not to blind us to the fact that Servia is a nation, and as a nation entitled to our consideration. The regicides were contemptible and cowardly scoundrels, actuated by the meanest of motives. But Servia herself is a bigger entity than a regicidal gang of ruffians, and we must never forget how gallant was her struggle against the Turk for liberty and independence. The Servians are not popular as a race. They lack the virile qualities which are attributed to Bulgarians and Montenegrins. But even the Servians belong to the small peoples towards whom it is a tradition that Great Britain should entertain warm feelings, and it is to be hoped that no further calamity may arise to estrange the public opinion of Europe. What the Balkans now imperatively require is a truce to inter-racial leads. In view of external menaces, Bulgar and Greek and Serb will do well to moderate their conflicting ambitions—lest worse befal. ("Daily News.")

It is certain that mere motives of policy will restrain the Government from administering the law in any way likely to stir up religions passions. They do not want to have a revival of those uncomfortable incidents which marked the taking of the inventories. Hence M. Briand dismisses any idea of closing the churches by force, and declares that the Government can achieve its end just as well by a painless and automatic process of sequestration. But that the Government, however discreet in their methods, will adhere firmly to the law, seems to be made sure by the temper of the Chamber. It is significant that even the Moderate Republican organ, the "République Française" has addressed a warning to the Catholics in this respect. Among the Anti Clericals the Encyclical has provoked, indeed, talk of a revision of the law, but only in the direction of recalling concessions and making it more stringent for the Church. ("Times").

It is the best and not the worst of Russians that persecution drives to our shores, and an enlightened statesmanship would welcome them as elements which may raise but cannot degrade our moral level. It is the wish of us all that the future relations of England with a liberated Russia shall be cordial and intimate. On the treatment which we accord to these exiles it depends whether they will go back to warn their compatriots that the old English spirit of hospitality and sympathy with liberty is dead, or to serve as willing missionaries in the cause of a peaceful and friendly understanding. ("Tribune").

We have, fortunately, a Board of Admiralty which has never shirked its duty either to the Empire or to the Navy. For the rest, the close of this unfortunate story will illustrate to the public the stern sense of justice which animates the sea service. It is no small test of impartiality and professional honour for a naval court to pass such sentences on two brother officers of high attainments according to their respective ranks, and we are sure that in the light of their past records the public will feel that, while nothing less than the punishments awarded would have met the case, both officers, and Captain Adair in particular, merit the sympathy which is always felt for brave and brilliant men in their hour of misfortune. ("Daily Telegraph")