TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir,—Allow me to thank you for the quotation, by your Vienna Correspondent, from my recent article in the Moscow Gazette, which was entitled, “Campaign against War” (“Borba s-Voynoy”).

Whilst that quotation was perfectly accurate, I would ask your permission to observe that the fault I therein found, on some points of form, did not prevent my acknowledgment of heartfelt sympathy and gratitude to those who are, to the best of their ability, striving to support the generous initiative of our Emperor, in favour of peace, if only for a few years.

For personal reasons, which are always painful to me to publicly discuss, I have a morbid horror of war.

I am in accord with the opinion of John Bright, that only under very exceptional circumstances can war be regarded otherwise than a crime.

Thus, my long article in the Moscow Gazette (No. 50) consists principally of gratitude to those who are working in the direction of peace and good will.

And particularly as regards England, where I have met with so much kindness from her best representatives, a misunderstanding, of however short duration, would be a terrible blow to the hopes and wishes which, with every frankness, I have never ceased to express since the Serbian war of 1876.

Whatever I have written has been in harmony with the views of a great majority of Russians, which, perhaps. you may consider an additional reason for granting me the hospitality of your columns.

Faithfully yours,

OLGA NOVIKOFF (“О.K.”).

8, Bickenhall-mansions, Gloucester-place, W.,

March 10.