A peace meeting in support of the Czar's proposal, called
by Mr. Stead, was held in St. James's Hall on Sunday, and though not very largely attended, except by ladies, many letters of sympathy from eminent persons were received and read. Lord Salisbury did not send one, and Lord Rosebery was very curt, but Mr. Balfour expressed his sense that if even a fraction of Mr. Stead's hopes were realised, they were "worthy of universal sympathy." The Marquis of Ripon, though sensible of difficulties, entertained no doubts of the Czar's sincerity. Sir H. Campbell-Bannerman affirmed the "essential solidarity of the interests of Europe" (which is like affirming the "essential solidarity" of debtor and creditor), and Mr. Bryce declared that preparations for war turned men's thoughts to war, and away from the higher ideals of forty years ago; Sir H. Fowler regarded the Russian proposal as the commencement of a higher chapter in the history of Europe ; Mr. Courtney thought the end glorious ; Lord G. Hamilton pointed out that a lesser naval expenditure all round would leave England as secure as before (which is just the reason why the world will not agree to it); and Mr. Morley thought the time singularly opportune. None of these statesmen, or of the many eloquent clergymen who addressed the meeting, offered one single suggestion as to any practical method of carrying out the programme.
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