The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-12
SALISBURY'S SPEECH.

c ALISBURY'S speech at the Lord Mayors
banquet is reported to have caused no little
- irritation among the European powers. The
fact is not surprising, for the speech more no
table for certain cynical candor than for diplomacy
II touched upon every irritating subject in nterna-
tional politics, and the touch was not soothing
The important statements of the British Premier
that the present peaceful condition OF Crete is
due more to the admiraIs who are in command there
than to anything done by statesmen; that Great
Britains position in Egypt is not what it before
the victory at Omdurman that while Great Britain
sympathzes with the Cars wish for disarmament,
her Ministers will not check their preparations for
war; that the appearance OF the United States as a
factor in Asiatc problems may not conduce to the
peace OF the world, but is likely to conduce to the
interests of Great Britain; that her Majesty Govern
r?ent would take part IN conference of the powers
to determine upon legislation for the suppression Of
anarchy, but had hope that legislation could abate
the monstrous evil; and, finally, that while not de-
string either war or conquest, the Government has
resolved to maintain the empire Britons have re-
ceved from their orefahers and therefore would not
intermit naval and military precautions.
Against all this array OF troubles the frank and bluff
old statesman offered no wosd of comfort except to
repeat his belief in the efficacy of the European con-
cert to maintain peace He admitted that the pro-
ceedingS OF the concert were not always admired
nor had the full commence OF the public. but he
pointed out that patient application, combined with
the moral strength of Europe" has in the past pre-
served peace under difficult conditions and drew
from that experience hope that the concert would
continue be at least equally efficient even if it did
rot grow in strength and usefulness.
The portions of the speech most interesting to us
those relating to the proposed European egisla-
ton against anarchists and the effect likely be pro-
duced by active participation in Asiatic affairs The
first contains warning. vindctive crusade against
drive large number of the worst of that fendish
crew to the United States for refuge. It behooves
u.s. therefore, to take heed of what is done in Europe
in this matter, so that may guard our shores
against the incoming of the enemies of society-the
thugs of civilization who regard arson and murder
as acts of heroism.
In what was said of the result to flow from our
| annexation of the Philippines there is much to
awaken the anxietes of patriots. When we become
an Asiatic power we at involved in all the
controversies now going in that section of the
world. The war clouds which have long been over
hanging Europe will then threaten us as we'll We
have little to gain by the annexation of those tropc
islands with their mongrel populations, but much to
lose It would be like throwing away the substance
of prosperity for the shadow of empire Americans
should give heed Salisburys frank declaration that
our appearance in Asia might not conduce to the
peace of the world, but would surely conduce to
British interests.