Mr. Balfour, in welcoming the American Press representatives at a
luncheon given in their honour on Friday week by the English- Speaking Union, opened with an observation which should have restrained the early-peace ebullition of the end of last week, if people had not such very short memories. " I do not pretend that our difficul- ties are at an end, or nearly at an end." One of these difficulties will be to ensure, when the victory now within our grasp shall be achieved, that we shall make the best use of it for the immediate future and for posterity. Mr. Balfour could see no improvement in the German disposition. Wemust judge it by such deeds as the deliberate sinking of the mail-steamer' Leinster ' in daylight, crowded with men, women, and children. The Germans " were brutes when they began the war, and as far as we can judge, brutes they remain at the present moment." Suoh crimes could not be repeated. from month to month unless they commended themselves to the popu- lation committing them. Germany counted on dividing her enemies, and in that she would fail ; there was " an English-speaking method of looking at the great affairs of mankind," an inner harmony making for union, and for the progress and freedom of the world.
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