The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-11-10

LORD SALISBURY DISCUSSES THE
POLITICAL SITUATION IN EU-
ROPE
WAR IS A LAST RESORT
Yet it is Necessary That "a Nation Be
Prepared to Resist EncrOach-
ments BY Ambitious Neighbors
British Premier Discusses the
Recent Crisis With France and
Its Happy Termination.

LONDON, Nov. 9.-The annual BAN
qUet of the lord mayor of London took
place at the guildhall this evening.
There were about $50 guests present.
After the usual loyal toasts, tho
army and navy were toasted, Admiral
Sir William Kennedy and Gen. Lord
Wellesley responding for their respec-
tive forces, which were described as be-
ing in perfect state of preparedness
to meet any power disputing Great
Britain's just claim.
The general remarks showed that ev-
cry one realized there was general
anxiety to hear the Marquis of Sails
bury, who on rising to respond to the
toast of Her Majesty's Minister'S was
greeted with prolonged cheering.
The premier began by saying that
events abroad had caused great anx-
iety to the ministry for a year past.
He alluded to the murder Of the en-
press of Austria, for the double pur-
pose Of expressing the universal regret
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
it is proposed to take in order to blot
out anarchy. The Marquis of Salisbury
added that, at the same time, he was
bound to say he had no great hope
that legislation would abate "ths hor-
rible, monstrous af1iction of human
ity.'
After referring in a laudatory man
ner to the British campaigns in India
and in the Soudan, the premier turned
to the Cretan question and to the con-
cert of Europe. He said he was afraid
that the proceedings of the concert
were not always admired. At the same
time, he pointed out, patient. appi-
cation, combined with the moral
strength of Europe has at last succeed
ed in fulfilling the promise to the Gre
tans of giving them autonomy, under
the suzerainty of the sultan" Con-
tinuing, the premier remarked: "The
solution of this most difficult prob
lem has witnessed displays Of splendid
and unexpected qualities and diplo-
macy upon the part Of the admirals,
who have successfully accomplished
what the cabinets of Europe had been
unable to do. 1 have sometimes thought
that if the cabinets were all dismissed
and admirals were installed in their
places Europe would get BETTER"
CRISIS WITH FRANCE.
Turning to the crisis with France, the
premier remarked: I'VE have had quite
recently to consider whether the ques-
ton of a European war was not very
near. But, with great interest and
consideration, the result has turned out
happily, through the good judgment
and common sense displayed by
France under circumstances of I'M
usual difficulty, which, I think, have
relieved Europe of a very dangerous
and Threatening storm. While matters
were in suspense the government nee
essarily was forced to precautions that
we be not taken unawares. The prep
arations were most prompt and effec-
tive, 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 not suddenly ceased,
But 1t is impossible to stop them at
a moments notice."
After referring to the various rurnors
Of intended action arising out Of those
preparations, including the seizure of
Syria and Crete and the declaration
of a protectorate over Egypt, the lat
ter allusion being received with i'm
mense cheering, Lord Salisbury con-
tinued:
II am sorry to say that cannot rise
to the height Of the aspirations of the
cheerings given by the audience. I do
not venture to prophecy, If we are fore
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 at present to modify it. The po-
sition causes occasional friction, but,