Evening Post.

Evening Post, Volume LX, Issue 115, 12 November 1900, Page 4

Evening Post.

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1900. LORD SALISBURY AT GUILDHAj,u o The Lord Mayor's banquet on the 9th November is a time-honoured occasion for oracular Ministerial utterances, and this year Lord Salisbury came to his task with the prestige of a recent triumph at the polls, and the hopes created by the Republican success in the United States. Bus words have a special interest for Americans and colonials, as well as for the "old folks at Home." From the abstract that has been cabled out to us it is evident that he was addressing himself to the whole of the .Eng-lish-speaking world and in. particular to these distant colonies which have learnt, as never before, to realise their organic union with the Empire. The Imperial Prime Minister frankly and proudly acknowledged that Great Britain's chief gain during the past year had been the public proof of the close sympathy existing between the colonies and the Motherland. Such an emphatio statement, falling from the lips of Lord Salisbury, has a special significance, for the iNoble Marquis never exaggerates, and is not by nature prone to eu.ogy. He has, moreover, for some years held the reins of Great Britain's foreign policy, and no one can understand better the effect colonia"! loyalty has had upon the diplomacy of foreign nations. His Lordship speaks out of the fulness of knowledge, and Her Majesty's colonists can, therefore, be assured that their Imperial ! patriotism has added moral force .and material strength to the Empire. Turning to the other great Englishi speaking group of States, Lord Salisbury very properly adopted the attitude qf the disinterested friend, who rejoiced in the result of the Presidential election because it would, he believed, redound to the commercial honour and lasting prosperity of the American Commonwealth. His reference was obviously directed to the " sound money" policy identified with the name of M'Kinley ; but every Triton, the world over, .will feel that behind this skilful allusion to the currency lay sincere appreciation of the Republican friendship for Great Britain. This sentiment could not prudently be expressed because it might have been construed as an insult to the Democratic Party which, had it come into office, would not, we feel sure, have deliberately tried to destroy or injure the kindly relations', established by Mr. M'Kinley between the two sister-nations. Neither nation desires to be hampered by a formal alliance, but both feel tUat unity of interest and associations which induces one brother to help another without any legal deed of partnership. When the United States was threatened by a European coalition, the British Government had only to hint at its brotherly j sentiments for the Concert to prove abortive, and we cannot doubt that if the parts were exchanged the Washington • Government would- act in the same sjvay. It is of this fraternal regard that Lord Salisbury wished to assure the M'Kinley Government. With regard to China, Lord Salisbury implied that there was a general assent to the Anglo German agreement, which he declared was intended to , guarantee the "open-door" policy and free trade at the Treaty Ports. But while admitting the friendly co-operation of other Powers, his Lordship pointed out that violent ignorance, as was the case with Mr. Kruger and the Empress-Dowager, might lead to a breach of the peace. His concluding remarks, too, ' while somewhat enigmatical, were apparently intended to convey a warning. "We must," he said, "be for a period on guard and scrutinise our defences to make certain, as far as we humanly can, that we shall not be exposed to a sudden interruption 'of peace." Taken in its simplest interpretation, this might mean merely that in the present uncertainty readiness for war is the surest guarantee of peace, and that Great Britain should, therefore, proceed to a thorough organisation of her defences. This view would be quite consistent with the rest of the speech, and would make the concluding paragraph supplementary to the earlier portion" in which Lord Salisbury took up the defence of the ' Wa- Office. He naturally pointed to what that Department had done, and there is' undoubtedly cause for congratulation in the fact that it could transport such a; large army to South Africa :n so short a time ; but, notwithstanding this, serious defects have been revealed, and the country will expect drastic reforms. Lord Salisbury may have reverted, in conclusion, to this subject in order to emphasise the reality of the Government's desire for reorganisation and to keep its necessity before Pprliament and people. On the other hand, the words may hava had a more specific meaning, and his Lordship may have intended them to be noted by> one or more foreign Powers to whom he wished to give a delicate lint. The speech was in keeping with the traditions of the Guildhall banquet, for it was not a little oraculav, but none the less it was on the whole reassuring, for if the Empire is united and ready and the United States are friendly the nation need not fear a sudden attack.