(Press Association). ELECTIONEERING SPEECHES.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 99, 23 October 1913, Page 7

(Press Association). ELECTIONEERING SPEECHES.

AS METHOD 'OF COMMUNICATION ' WITH FOREIGN POWERS. PROPER CHANNEL IS THE FOREIGN OFFICE. LONDON. 22nd October. Lord Selborne, in his speoch at tho Navy League banquet, stated that h& did not think electioneering speeches were the proper method of opening communications with foreign Powers. Repeated alternatives of blasts from a syren with murmurs from a flute could produca nothing except international discord. The proper channel for such communications was the Foreign Office, which was quite competent to conduct negotiations to improve rolations with foreign neighbours. It was impertinent for Great Britain to dictate to any foreign nation in respect to what concerned &uch a nation alone. The naval standard best suited to the present British requirements was two keels to one of the next strongest European naval Power. "That standard is within our national means, and would enable us to fully secure the great duty and responsibility of ensuring the development of every part of the Empire. It would also enable us not to exclude Mediterranean control. Control of the Mediterranean is as essential as control of the North Sea or the English Channel. The lesson of Nelson's life," added Lord Selborne, "is greatly needed to be learnt to-day. It wasn't what a man could get out of his country, but what he could give."