The herald., 1898-11-10
THE BANQUET HELD
Protectorate Ghost Very Effectually
Laid

LONDON, Nov. 0.-Ihe annual banquet
Of the lord mayor of London took place at
the Guildhall this evening. There were about
B5O guests present.
After the usual local toasts, the army and
navy were toasted, Admiral Sir William
Kennedy and General Wolseley responding
Tor their respective forces, which were de-
Icribed as being in a perfect state of pre-
paredness to meet any power dsputing
Great Britain's just claims.
The brevity of the speeches showed that
everyone realized the general anxiety to
hear the Marquis OF Salisbury, who, on rs-
ing to respond to the toast of ''Her Majesty IS
Minister'S" was greeted with prolonged ap-
plause.
ANTIANARCHISTIC ACTION
The premier began by saying that sue
eession of events abroad had occasioned
grave anxiety to the ministry for year past
He alluded to the murder of the empress of
Austria for the double purpose of express
ing the usiversal regret experienced on ac-
count of the crime and for announcing that
Great Britain had accepted an invitation to
take part in a conference which would be
called to determine upon the measures which
1t is possible to take in 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 hopes that legislation
would abate "ths horrible, monstrous af-
Fiction of humanity"
THE CRETAN QUESTION
After referring in laudatory manner to
the British campaigns in India and the Sou
dan, the premier turned to the Cretan ques-
tion and the concert of Europe He said he
was afraid that the proceedings Of the con-
cert were not always admired. At the same
time he pointed out that patient applica-
tion, combined with the moral strength of
Europe, has at last succeeded in fulfilling
the promise to the Cretans of giving them
autonomy under the suzerainty of the sui
tam"
Continuing, the premier remarked: ''The
solution of this most difficult problem has
witnessed displays of splendid and unex--
pected qualities and diplomacy upon the
part Of the admirals, who have successfully
accomplished what the cabinets of Europe
had been unable to do. I have sometimes
thought that if the cabinets were all dis
missed and admirals were installed in their
places Europe would get along better"
THE FRENCH CRISIS
Turning to the crisis with France, the
premier remarked
I'VE have had quite recently to consider
whether the question of European war
was not very near. But with great interest
and consideration the result has turned out
happily, through the great Judgment and
common sense displayed by France under
circumstances OF unusual difficulty which,
l think, have relieved Europe of a very
dangerous and threatening storm.
while matters were in suspense the
government was necessarily forced to take
precautip9su that it should not be taken un-
awares. 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
preparations have not suddenly ceased, but
it is impossible to stop them at a moments
notice."
After referring to the various rumors
OF intended action arising out of these prep.
arations, including the seizure of Syria and
Crete and the declaration of protectorate
over Egypt-tne latter allusion being
greeted with immense cheering-Lord Sal
isbury continued:
NO PROTECTORATE
II am sorry to say cannot rise to the
height of the aspirations indicated by the
cheering of the audience. do not venture
to prophesy, if we are forced by others
INTO position we do not now occupy, what
may occur; but we are well satisfied with
the existing state of things and wd do not
think any cause has arisen to necessitate
effort on our part at present to modify It.
1he position causes occasional friction,
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 for 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 ON.
durman, but we earnestly hope that cir
cumstances will not make it necessary ma
terially to modify that position, as we are
convinced the world would not then get on
90 peacably as now."
THE CZAR'S PLAN
Referring again to the war prenorat;ons
and asking his hearers to look at the state
of the world, Lord Salisbury observed
'The czar has invited congress IN nro
vide for the disarmament of the world. bn,
while we offer our heartiest tribute to b;s
motives and are willing to assist and sym.
pathize in every way until the happv dav
when his aspirations are crowned with sue.
eess, we must still provide precautions need