TO THE EDITOR OF TIMES

Sir,–Perhaps you will kindly permit me to say just one word in reference to your very interesting leader of this morning, especially as it is written undoubtedly in a very friendly spirit. It is always a pleasure to draw the attention upon a fact which can only have a soothing effect upon the feelings of the reading and thinking public of two great nations like Russia and England—nations which have not only expressed sometimes their deep sympathies to each other, as was the never-to-be-forgotten case just a year ago at the death of our beloved Alexander III., but often have worked together for the benefit of humanity, as was frequently done in the first half of this century.

But I am not going to worry you with a sermon on modern history, which you all know probably much better than I do. Perhaps I may be allowed to say a word on the very latest news which is reproduced in your columns. Your telegram of to-day refers to a speech of the Governor-General of Eastern Siberia, addressed to the Vladivostok community at a public banquet.

General Doukhofskoy strongly urged his audience not to be alarmed and not to suppose that Vladivostok was going to lose its domineering position even if a portion of the fleet would be at Port Arthur. (The general most likely only mentioned “a few vessels;” this, however, is not very important.)

The really important point is that, if a small portion of our fleet may be allowed to ask for shelter at Port Arthur, exactly the same hospitality is granted to other European Powers.

Am I not right in saying that this equality of privileges in the Celestial Empire clearly shows that Port Arthur has not ben seized and monopolized by Russia?

Yours truly,

Olga Novikoff.

4, Portman-mansions, W., Oct.29.