No explanation whatever has been given by the British Govern-
ment of its attitude in this quarrel, but it is believed that Sir Stafford Northcote's answer on Tuesday was much more important than the public believed. Mr. O'Reilly asked whether it was true that the British Government had landed arms and money at ICI& for the Turkish Government, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer denied it absolutely :—" Her Majesty's Government observed a strict neutrality, and expected other Powers to do the same." That would be an important sentence from any Minister, but it is stated that the sentence was written by Mr. Disraeli, and • *laded to Sir Stafford, who, of course, read it verbatim. If that is the case, it means, what so many other appearances mean, that Mr. Disraeli regards Russian sympathy with Servia as constituting a breach of neutrality in favour of Turkey, and is prepared to resist her by force. It seems almost impossible, considering the opinion of the country, that such should be his plan, but we are convinced there is great danger in this direction.
Zft • a.
