The San Francisco call., 1898-11-10

LONDON, Nov. 9.-The annual Dan- ouet of the Lord Mayor of London took place at the Guildhall this evening. There were about $50 guests present.
 After the usual local toasts the army and navy were toasted. Admiral Sir William Kennedy and General Wolse- ley responding for their respective forces which were described as being in a perfect state of preparedness to meet any power disputing Great Brit aims just claims.
 The brevity of the speeches showed that every one realized the general anxiety to hear the Marquis of Sails bury, who, on rising to respond to the toast of Her Najesty's Ministers" was greeted with prolonged cheers. The Premier began by saying that a sue cession of events abroad had occa- stoned grave anxiety to the Ministry for a year past. He alluded to the mur- der of the Empress of Austria for the double purpose of expressing the uni versal regret experienced on account of the crime and for announcing that Great Britain had accepted an invita- tion to take part in a conference which would be called to determine upon the measures which it is possible to take III order to blot out anarchy.
 The Marquis of Salisbury added that at the same time he was bound to say that he had no great hope that legis- lation would abate this horrible, mon strous affiiction of humanity"
 After referring in a laudatory manner to the British campaigns in India ana in the Soudan, the Premier turned to the Cretan question and the concert Of Europe. He said he was afraid that the proceedings of the concert were, not always admired. At the same time he pointed out that patient application, combined with the moral strength Of Europe, has at least succeeded In ful- filling the promise to the Cretans of giving them autonomy under the suzer- ainty of the Sultan"
 Continuing, the Premier remarked: ",The solution of this most difficult problem has witnessed displays or splendid and unexpected qualities and diplomacy upon the part of the ad- mirals, who have successfully accom- plished what the Cabinets of Europe had been unable to do. l have some times thought that if the Cabinets were all dismissed and admirals were in stalled in their places, Europe would get along better"
 Turning to the crisis with France, the Premier remarked: We have had quite recently to consider whether the question of a European war was not very near. But, with great interest and consideration, the result has turned out happily, through the great judg- ment and common sense displayed by France under circumstances Of unuS- uaI difficulty which, l think, have re- lieved Europe of a very dangerous and threatening storm.
 While matters were in suspense, the Government was necessarily forced to take precautions that it should not be taken unaWares. These precautions ,orNf ay76 1fP hi1t the immediate necessity for them has passed off.
 There has been some surprise on both sides of the channel at the fact that these preparations have not sud denly ceased. But it is impossible to stop them at moments notice.'
 After referring to the various rumors of intended action arising out of these preparations, including the seizure of Syria and Crete and the declaration of a protectorate of Egypt-the latter al- fusion being greeted with immense cheering-Lord Salisbury continued:
 T am sorry to say l cannot rise to the height of the aspirations indicated by the cheering of the audience. I do not venture to prophecy, if we are forced by others into a position we do not now occupy, what may occur; but we are well satisfied with the existing state of things and we do not think any cause has arisen to modify it.
 'The position causes occasional fric- tion, but, taking the situation as a whole and considering the feeling of other people as well as our own, we can reasonably rest for the present with the existing state of affairs. l must not be understood as meaning that Great Britain's position in Egypt Is the same now as it was before the fall of Omdurman, but we earnestly hope that circumstances will not make it neces- sary materially to modify that position. as we are convinced the world would not get on so peaceably as now"
 Referring again to the war prepara- tions and asking his hearers to look at the state of the world, Lord Salisbury observed
 "The Czar has invited a congress to provide for the disarmament of the world, but while we offer our heartiest tribute to his motives and are willing to assist and sympathize in every way until the happy day when his aspira- tions are crowned with success, we must still provide precautions needful to counteract the dangers surrounding us. In some respects this era this great epoch in the history of man, is marked by unhappy omens. It is the first year in which the mighty force of the American republic has been in> troduced among nations whose dornin- ions are expanding and whose instru- ments to a certain extent are war
 'I am not implying the slightest blame Far from it. I am not refusing sympathy to the American republic in the difficulties through which it has passed; but no one can deny that it's appearance among factors Asiatic at all events, and possibly in European diplomacy, is a grave and serious event which may not conduce to the interests of peace, though think in any event it is likely to conduce to the interests of Great Britain. (Cheers.)
 rrvfsI h hi fy,aT7 n6 fc that the subject matter of war is ter ribly prevalent on all sides. We see