Lest there should be any mistake as to how deeply
he felt about the matter, Lord Lansdowne, who, remember, is nothing if not a moderate and conciliatory man, ended his speech as follows :-
" I am going to ask the noble Earl one question. What useful purpose does he think he can serve by putting down questions like these ? Here is a policy which has been accepted by His Majesty's Government, to which they are pledged, and which is at this moment producing promising results. It is a policy intended to give ad- vantages to the honourable trade of a neutral Power, and to place hindrances in the way of the trade of our enemies. Does the noble Earl really expect that the result of his intervention will be to make us drop that policy ? The only effect of his speeches, if they have any effect, will be to embarrass the Government of his own country. The destruction of this Agreement is desired by our enemies ; it would be most discouraging to our friends, it would involve a slap in the face to a friendly Power, and I say without hesitation that I think it is much to be regretted that the noble Earl should have identified himself with an agitation which seems to have been inspired by a sentiment which is neither wise nor patriotic."
