New-York tribune., 1907-11-10
THE LIBERAL POLICY.
REVIEW BY THE PREMIER.
Labor, The Hague and the Congo
The British Nara.

London. Nov. s--The celebration of the Kings
eixty-seventh birthday was brought to fitting
close at the inaugural dinner of the new Lord
Mayor Of London. Sir John c. Bell, at the
GuiIdhalI tonight For the first time since the
brief premiership Of Lord Rosebery in the early
eos a Liberal Prime Minister occupied the post
Of honor. Sir Henry Campbell -Bannerman, who
last year unable TO attend the Lord Mayors
dinner owing TO the death of his wife, was in his
place tonight and made the principal speech
OF the evening in reply TO the toast of His Maj
esty's Ministers"
Departing from the usual rule, the Premier
referred in his opening remarks TO domestic af-
fairs. especially congratulating David Lloyd
George president OF the Board of Trade. the
settlement of the dispute between the railways
and their employees. Touching on foreign af-
fairs Sir Henry said that the results obtained
at the recent Hague peace conference had not
met his most sanguine hopes, but he was glad
that he had been oversanguine in his expecta
tion. for he had spoken for nation which had
~ aggressive designs upon its neighbors and
desired only 10 live in peace and amty toward
ell
The Hague conference, said the Premier was
g plant Of slow growth. but he had great con-
hdence in it and believed the day would come
when there would be a cessation in the mad
Of common civilization. In a review of the work
accomplished by the conference Sir Henry said
that it had by no means been insignificant. The
British delegates had done all that they could
70 advance the question of arbitration If they
had attempted TO force the issue, he said, the
result would have been negative, or even worse
friction. An international prize court would
be a notable step in advance. he said and IT
might be necessary for the leading maritime
mowers to come 10 an agreement for the estab
rshment Of such court and the adoption of
rules therefor. Great Britain had also left
things in shape for the future amicable discus
sion of the abolition Of contraband and the
etriction of floating mines.
The colonial conference the Anglo o-Russian
treaty and the steps taken to prevent plague and
sedtion in India having been disposed Of, Sir
Henry took up the Congo question. AS great
as the contrast was between the hopes of the
English people when the Congo was established
and the conditions existing there at the present
time, he felt that he must speak with the great
est reserve. because the Belgian parliament
would soon be, asked on what terms it would take
over the Independent Free State of the Congo.
Great Britain would not interfere in the nego-
tiatons, but the government was deeply i'm
pressed with the responsibility which it, in COM
mon with Others. felt that the government Of the
Congo should be put a footing with the colo
MES administered by other nations, and in
cordance with the treaties under which the
Congo came into existence.
Admiral Sir John Fisher. First Lord of the
Admiralty, in replying to recent attacks on the
navy. pointed out that in the recent North Sea
rnanozuvres there were gathered twenty-six of
the finest battleships in the world and twenty
six cruisers, many of which We're superior to
any foreign battleship. and that even this great
feet represented only fraction Of Great Brit
aims naval power. Besides he said. the gun
nery and general efficiency OF the English fleet
surpassed all records and were matters of Won
der and admiration. The object of the Ad-
riralty." said Sir John has been one of in
slant readiness. and we have got It. Don't be
disturbed by the boyle Of invasion One might
well talk OF enbarkng st. Pauls Cathedral
on q penny steamer as enbarking one hundred
thousand German soldiers TO invade England"
In conclusion Sir John said that the feet In
the number of fighting ships and in general ca
9acity, was never so satisfactory at the pres
ent time
The Gay was observed throughout the British
Empire with the customary military and naval
salutes and displays. His majesty is at San
bingham, where the King and Queen of Spain
and the Queen Of Norway are staying. in addi-
ton to many other members Of the British
ROYAL family. The morning was occupied in re-
ceiving a great number of congratulatory tele-
grams letters and presents from almost all
parts of the world One Of the most notable
gifts was the Cullinan diamond. the largest
known, estimated to be worth $4,000, and
presented TO ~ majesty by the Legislative
Assembly Of the Transvaal token Of the
loyalty Of the people Of that colony and in COM
memoration Of the grant Of responsible gov
ernment 70 the Transvaal. The presentation
was made by Sir Richard Solomon, former Lieu
tenant Governor OF the Transvaal, representing
The government OF the colony.
In the afternoon their majesties entertained
the tenantry Of Sandringham at dinner.