LORD SALISBURY ON THE WAR SCARE.

Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 16

LORD SALISBURY ON THE WAR SCARE.

In a speech at Derby on the 19th December, Lord Salisbury said : " The questions which naturally weigh heaviest on my thoughts at this time are questions that concern our foreign affairs ; and if it is only for the sake of getting rid of what is necessarily a burden upon my thoughts, I will say, in the first place, the few words that I have to say with respect to the present aspect of Europe, and of English interests in that respect. So far as our diplomatic information goes, there is no ground for the immediate terror which seems to have seized the newspapers and the exchanges of Europe. A newspaper war easily gets up. An editor attacked by his rival editor is bound to reply in words not less forcible, and I think the relations of nations are often supposed to be more critical than they are simply by reason of the rhetorical exasperation of rival journalistic pens. I have no ground whatever for believing, apart from these newspaper articles, that any danger, any immediate danger, impends over the peace of Europe. Do not let me be misunderstood. I ventured in the summer to predict that we should have an autumn of peace. I was thought rash, but my prediction proved true. But since that one successful experiment I have abstained from prediction altogether. In truth, in sad and sober truth, it is impossible that these vast armaments, constantly growing, can continue to watch each other without creating some solicitude, some well-founded solicitude, in those to whom the peace of Europe is a matter of the deepest interest. These great, heavy, over-charged clouds, charged with the electricity of war, near each other, come closer and closer. Who is he that shall be bold enough to prophesy that at any given time the thunderclap shall not ensue ? I say there is no appearance of immediate danger. I say that the mere existence of these growing armaments is a constant and steady danger, and that he would be a rash, man who would extend his prophecies to many years from this time. But I do not care to dwell on the matters as regards foreign nation's. I believe, as I have already said, more intensely than ever that the rulersall the rulers— of Europe at this time are deeply anxious for peace; but there are great waves of popular sentiment sweeping over the nations of Europe, and no man knowa what impulse they may give to the councils of the rulers whom they seem to obey, but whom they in reality govern. I wish to draw a moral for ourselves. In times past danger announced itself afar. If there was a prospect of war there was a preliminary diplomatic trouble which gave ample opportunity for preparation. That state of things has passed away. If the thunderclap of war should ever break— l don't say that it will— l pray God it never may— but if it breaks it would give you no warning ; and if by any untoward chance you should be involved in it, your fate will depend upon the preparation you have made in time of peace."