In the course of Thursday night's debate the question of
the Congo was raised by Sir George White, who for the sake of reform was prepared to take the extreme measure of " bel- ligerent action," and declared that though "he was a man of peace, he did want justice." We may point out that it was also Sir George White who, in moving a peace resolution at the Free Church Council on Wednesday, inveighed against "the present wicked, wasteful, and appalling expenditure on armaments." Sir George White's attitude is not uncommon. Invoke war whenever there is opposition to a policy on which you have set your heart, but beforehand do your best to make your country unable to wage war successfully. Sir Edward Grey replied in a reassuring speech, pointing out that to resort to violent action at the moment when the Belgian reform scheme had been launched would be disastrous. "My attitude is one of expectancy—of suspense, if you like—but still of belief that things are moving in the right direction." Meanwhile be did not ask the House to sanction the step of recognising the Belgian annexation. We yield to none in our detestation of Congo misrule, but we believe that Sir Edward Grey is far more likely to bring about reform than the men who shout "Down with the Navy!" one day, and the next are willing to risk war with all Europe rather than take into account the difficulties of the international situation.
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