The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-11-10
Europe Has Been Saved From a Very Dan
gerous and Threatening Storm.
FORCE OF THE AMERICAN REPUBLIC.
Entrance Into Asatlc, and Possibly European O-
pIomacy, Held to Be Grave and Serious
Event, and Not Conducive to Peace.

London. Nov. 1o.-The annusl banquet
OF the lord mayor of London took place
at the Guild nall last evening. There
were about $50 guests present, including
members of the diplomatic corps, cab
met ministers and other distinguished
people and their wives. The brevity Of
the speeches showed the general anxiety
TO hear the Marquis OF Salisbury, who
on rising TO respond TO the toast Of Her
Majesty's Minister'S" was greeted with
prolonged cheers.
The premier began by saying that
succession OF events abroad had occa-
stoned grave anxiety to the ministry for
year past. He alluded TO the murder
OF the empress OF Austria, for the double
purpose OF expressing the universal re-
gret experienced on account Of the crime
and for announcing that Great Britain
had accepted an invitation to take part
in conference which would be called
TO determine upon the measures 10 blot
out anarchy. At the same time, he was
bound To say he had no great hope that
anything would abate this horrible,
monstrous affiiction of humanity"
After referring in a laudatory manner
10 the British campaigns in India and in
the Soudan the premier turned 20 the
Cretan question and the concert OF
Europe. He said he was afraid that the
proceedings OF the concert were not al
ways admired. At the same time he
pointed out patient application. com
bined with the moral strength of Europe,
has at last succeeded in fulfilling the
promise given TO the Cretans of giving
them autonomy under the suZerainty OF
the sultan.
Turning TO the crisis with France. the
premier remarked: I'VE have had quite
recently TO consider whether the ques-
tion of a European war was not very
near. But with great interest and con-
sideration the result has turned out
happily to the great judgment and COM
mon sense displayed by France under
circumstances OF unusual difficulty.
which 1 think, have relieved Europe OF a
very dangerous and threatening storm.
while matters were in suspense. the
government was forced to take pre-
cautions that IL should not be taken
unawares. These precautions were most
prompt and effective; but the immediate
necessity for them has passed off, There
has been some surprise on both sides of
the channel at the fact that these prep
arations have mot suddenly ceased but
it is impossible TO stop them at mo-
ment's 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 over Egypt-the latter
allusion being greeted with immense
cheering-Lord Salisbury continued:
IL am sorry to say / cannot rise to the
height OF the aspirations indicated by
the cheering OF the audience. l do not
venture 10 prophesy, If we are forced by
others into position we do not now oc-
cupy. what may occur; but we are we'll
satisfied with the existing state OF things
and we do not think any cause has arisen
TO necessitate effort on our part al pres
ent to modify II. / must not be under
stood meaning that Great Britain's
position in Egypt is the same now as 1t
was before the fall OF Omdurman: but
we earnestly hope that circumstances
will not make 1t necessary materially to
modify that position, as we are con-
.xinced the world would not then 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 con-
gress to provide for the disarmament of
the world: but while we offer our heart
fest tribute to his motives and are will
ing to assist and sympathiZe in every
way until the happy day when his as
pirations are crowned with success, we
must still provide precautions needful
20 counteract the dangers surrounding
4, L.. a 4, a..
epoch in the history OF man. is marked
by unhappy omens. 1t is the first year
in which the mighty force Of the Ameri-
can republic has been introduced among
nations, whose domsnions are expanding
and whose instruments TO a certain ex-
tent are war.
II am not implying the slightest blame.
Far from It. | am not refusing SYM
pathy TO the American republic i'm the
difficulties through which IL has passed
but no one can deny shat it's appearance
among factors Asisstic. al all events and
possibly In European diplomacy. is n
grave and serious event which may not
conduce 60 the interests OF peace. though
think In any event II is likely 10 con-
uuce TO the interests of Great Britain.
But what has been impressed upon us
Is that the subject matter OF war is ter
sibly prevalent on all sidea We sec ma
slons decaylng. whose government Is so
bad that IT can neither maintain the
power OF self-defense nor retain the ar
lection OF its subjects: and when this
occur there are~always neighbors i'm
pelled by some motive-it may be the
highest phllanthrophy or IL may be the
naturaf rirsirr ef emplre--to contest as
90 who shall be heir 10 the falling nation:
and that is the cause Of war"
Lord salisbury then alluded 90 the
rapidity and unexpectedress with which
wars break out, and said:
IF Great Britain should ever permit
her sea defenses 20 weaken her whole
smpire would come clatterine to the