In part two, the Satow saga continues, and through the diaries, one can understand these historical events of the time much better by knowing the details of the motives, fears and values of the British and of the Japanese, at least through Satow's eyes. In the first few pages,1903 the reader is introduced to the problem of Manchuria, and of the chances that China had in turning the "Russians out by force." Satow seems to write about almost every issue of the time. In his 1904 notes, he discusses issues of the coal at Kaiping, loans of ten million pounds sterling, rumours concerning the Chinese Empress-Dowager, of French capitalists offering money to reanimate the Imperial Bank of China, to name just a few. From these notes, it is easy to see the incredible manipulation, and cunning on the part of the politicians and diplomats of the day. The background to the Russian-Japanese war begins on page 25 with Japan agreeing to peace if Russia gave up Port Arthur, evacuated the province of Manchuria, and handed over the railway to China. In short, the notes not only make for interesting reading--and there is a LOT more here--but they also a good read for the historian or those interested in diplomacy. To know history, one must know the tiny details that went into making the events, and these details are only known through the diaries of those who shaped the events.

In this second volume of Satow's Peking tenure, his Diary moves on to consider and relate wider International aspirations and worries, including Russian interest in Manchuria, and even Korea. There is considerable reference to the expansion of the railway system and the sharing of its construction/costs. Although I'm sure there will be many more such lighter moments in the full version, no extract from Satow's Diaries can be complete without a witty comment on something not inherently comical. Here it is reference to the Belgians procuring the services of one Mr Sheng 'by stuffing his pockets', whether this means a bribe, or legitimate expenses/remuneration, Satow quite wisely does not state! Again, the recorded musings of such serious topics are interspersed with things social - although when it comes to the application of tact and diplomacy, the stock in trade of the Diplomatic service, it is really no wonder then that engineering contracts are won and lost, and wars declared, ended or avoided, over a slice of upside down cake and a tumbler of steaming hot lemon tea. Yet again these diaries provide a fascinating glimpse into the machinations in the Orient of the Diplomatic Service in the Edwardian era, and which are personalised by Satow's recorded views. Due to the continued endeavours of Ian Ruxton,we yet again walk with Sir Ernest Satow along the ( overseas ) corridors of power, eavesdrop on the chattering classes, and share his secret doubts, dismissal and disdain ( and occasional admiration ) of both colleagues and his Chinese and International counterparts. Excellent.