The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-11-10
LORD SALISBURY'S SPEECH.
HLS RATHER GLOOMY TIEW OF
THE WORLDS AFFAIRS.

Ne says at the Lord R1ayer's nanauet That
Arricn Is the Plague Of the ForsiEn ONCE
The Federation or the Powers 10 All Thst
Prevents RGorts at Mutual Destructsen.
Special cabi. Ds,patoA to TEE suA.
LONDON, Nov. 9.-The Lord Mayors show at
the installation OF the now Lord Mayor OF Lon
don, Lieut.-Col. Horatio ID. Davies, NJ. r.. took
place to-day with the usual ceremony and dis
play, and amid the usual fog and drisSling rain.
The procession was Of tho customary charao-
ter. two suto.motors filled with members OF tho
municipality being the only conspicuous nov
city. An etfigy of Cecil Rhodes appeared In q
car with countertoits Of Sir Walter Raleigh and
others. who represented the makers Of the en-
pire.
Following the time.honored custom, tho new
Lord Mayor tonight gave a banquet at the
Guildhall, at which Lord Salisbury was tho
principal speaker. Heretofore everybody has
looked to the Prime Minister to set forth the
Governments policy, particularly regarding
foreign affairs, In his speech at the Lord May
or's banquet. but this year it was not expected
that Lord Salisbury would mako any startling
announcement as 10 England's foreign relations.
ami the customary gathering Of national and
local dignitaries was not disappointed in this re-
spect.
Those present heard an address in which the
Primo Minister showed himself alternately irri-
tated by the complex difficulties of the foreign
situation and Apologize for his failure to meet
the country's expectations. The African CUES
tion he dismissed en- bloc. saying that 1t was the
bane Of the Foreign Office. The situation in
Crete and the East he excused by again pictur-
ing the horrors Of q general war, which, he in.
sisted, had been narrowly averted by the efforts
OF the precious concert Of the powers.
Tho Only militant n0ta In fha apeach wna n
general warning that there was a limit to Eng.
lands desire to consider the wishes Of her neigh
bors concerning Africa, which the French press
tomorrow will probably construe as a threat
applying to the Niger situation.
The chief passages Of the speech were sub
stantially as follows: After referring admiring-
~ to the very wonderful campaign in Egypt, he
said he was afraid that the valley of the Nile
was the only part Of Africa to which he dared
refer on the present occasion. Africa was Gre
ated to he q plague to the Foreign Office. There
were negotiations, more or less animated, but
always friendly, continuously going ON with
France. Germany. Portugal. and Italy. besides
several non-Chr!stian power These ~negotia-
tions would possibly continue for a long time.
He could only say that the Government desired
TO be governed by strict principles Of right and a
constant regard for the prosperity and interests
OF Europe.
He did not desire any unjust or illegitimate
achievements. and did not wish territory merely
for the sake Of possessing it. The Government
aimed strictly to extend the III and in.
dustry OF mankind, to provide as many markets
as possible and TO open the great natural high.
ways and waterways of Africa. In doing this
1t strove duly to consider the feelings and claims
Of others in q neighborly manner, but there was
q limit to tue exercise of indulRent qualities
and it could not allow its OWL plain rights to be
overridden.
Turning to southeastern Europe. Lord Sails
bury said that the concert Of the powers had
failed to prevent Greece from committing sui
eide, though it had done all that exhortation
which was sometimes vigorous and robust,
could do in that direction. Every statesman in
Europe anticipated the reopening of the East
ern question with dread lest it light the flames
Of war. With the unlucky exception of Greece.
the concert had succeeded In preventing that
terrible calamity, and this WAS much.
The task was not yet ended. Crete remained.
and the settlement of that question was likely Ia
be long and difficult. The concert had many
virtues. but speed was not among them
This federation of the powers. despite its
faults, was the embryo of the only possible struc
ture capable OF preventing the deadly compe-
tition of nations in enlarging their armies and
piling up their armaments from eliminating In
u terrible effort at mutual destruction that
would DO fatal to Christian civilization. The
ono and only hope of the future was that the
DO wers would gradually be brought to co
operate in settling their differences in a friendly
spirit, until finally there should BIO welded sone
international constitution which would give al
last to the world as tho result Of their great
strength unfettored and prosperous commerc
and continued peace.
Col. John Hay, the American Ambassador
had been designated to respond to the toast t
the foreign Ministers. but he was unable to b.
present at tho banquet owing to iudisposition.
MADE THE COURT WAIT