21 APRIL 1917, Page 2

Lord Bryce was in the chair, and his speech was

full of sound sense and wise policy. We are sure, however, that he would be the first to admit that the speech of the evening was that made by the Ambassador, a speech worthy of an occasion beyond measure memorable, one of the greatest days in the history of the Anglo- Saxon race. If we said all we felt about Mr. Page's speech we should appear guilty of the crime of flattery. We shall therefore only ask our readers to let us record the opinion that in Mr. Page the United States has discovered not only a great diplomat but a great and wise statesman. Lord Robert Cecil, who represented Mr. Balfour and the Foreign Office (Mr. Balfour was absent for very sound physical reasons), made a speech marked by great good feeling. Though it was short and no attempt was made to score striking or- rhetorical points, it profoundly moved all who heard it by reason of its manliness and sincerity. When one heard it one could not, help wishing that Lord Salisbury, who so long and so wisely guided the destinies of this country, could have seen how fitting a successor he had in his son.