The Politische Correspondenz of Vienna, which is semi- official, makes
a very grave statement about Russian rela- tions with China. It is informed from St. Petersburg that the Russian Asiatic Department will not be a party to the English plan of supporting the existing dynasty in Pekin. That would only increase British influence, already too great. It will not join in repressing the present disorders, because they are anarchical in their character, and partly directed against the dynasty. In other words, Russia favours the potential Chinese insurgents. That is a most serious announcement, and we have elsewhere given in detail the reasons for believing it true. We may add here that, as
France can hardly abandon her policy of protecting Catholic missions all over the world, the new departure of the Russian authorities may by-and-by make a wide rift in the lute of the Franco-Russian understanding.
