The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1901-11-16
SALISBURY'S SPEECH.

r. OR many year past the British public and to
some extent the civilized world, has carefully
noted the speeches made at the annual banquet
given by the Lord Mayor of London to the Ministers
OF the crown 1t has been the custom OF the Minis
tiers, and particularly of the Premier to make use of
the occasion to announce to the country the policy
they intend to pursue and for which they wish popu-
lar support. These addresses therefore have be-
come. far more important than the perfunctory ad-
dress of the sovereign from the throne upon the
opening Of Parliament, and they are always awaited
with good deal of interest
At the recent Lord Mayors banquet public expec-
tation was disappointed Lord Salisbury spoke, in
deed, at length, but was noted that he spoke
without vgor either in manner in language. Ac-
cording to the reports that his appearance
betokened whose career is virtually finished
and who lags superhuous on the political stage.
Weak he is, however he is none the less Prime
Minister of the British empire, the responsible head
OF the administration, and the one who can speak
authoritatively for the Government He renewed
his oft-repeaed declaration that Great Britain will
see the war in South Africa fought to a finish by
the complete conquest of the Beers no matter what
the cost He pointed out that guerrilla warfare is al
ways long and tedious but did undertake to say
when the struggle in South Africa would be ended.
I'VE cannot, he said tell you publicly all that is
going on. We should be gravey negecting our
duty If We did All | can say is and I am speaking
the judgment of those who have the best opportunity
for determining what is really going on that are
making month by month and week by week sure,
steady and substantial progress. He asserted that
the proongation of the war has been due in nowise
to the lukewarmness or neglect of the Government,
and insisted that the Ministers have given to the
erals in the field every reinforcement they asked for
Continuing his speech the old statesman deplored
the frequent manifestations of pessimsm on the part
of his countrymen He could not say when the war
would close nor promise reduction of taxation but
cy way of cheering his countrymen he reminded
them of the benefits obtained through what is known
the concert Of Europe. "In considering" he said
the embarrassment and difficulties in which it may
be thought country is standing, it is matter for
congratuation that the peace of the world has been
on the whole SO little disturbed and that we have
found kindly feeling and such a attitude
the part of all the powers with whom we have been
in alliance venture to say that fifty years ago that
would not have been the case"
That claim of peace maintained through the con-
cert of Europe was the one word of cheer the Pre-
nier gave the British public For the rest he sought
to rally the people his support by declaring that
the interests as we'll as the prestige of the empire
depend upon successful conclusion of the war. OF
the financial burdens laid upon the taxpayers, of the
waste of and the increase of the national debt he
said nothing. 1t is therefore not strange that Lord
Rosebery in speaking at Edinburgh on Thursday
evening should have said: II would like to see an
experiment for year of Government formed en-
tirey of business men, SUCH for example as Mr. Car
negie and Sir Thomas Lipton instead of politicians
ask you: Are getting our moneys worth for
the money spent?"