At the Lord Mayor's banquet last Saturday Mr. Asquith made
a statement on the Balkan war, impressive in form and admirable in manner, and the heartiness with which it was received proved that he expressed the feelings of everyone present. He said that British relations with foreign Powers "without a single exception" had never been better. The maintenance of "special alliances and friendships" did not necessarily mean that during the present crisis the Great Powers were arranged in opposite camps. On the contrary, the Great Powers are "working together with a closeness of touch and a frankness and freedom of communication and discussion which are remarkable." Then came the most important declaration in the speech. "Upon one thing I believe the general opinion of Europe to be unanimous—that the victors are not to be robbed of the fruits which have cost them so dear." The difficulties of a settlement were, of course. great, but he deprecated raising and pressing isolated ques- tions which would very likely assume a more tractable aspect in a general settlement.
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