The German Emperor made a speech on Tuesday at a
banquet at Cuxhaven in which he praised the " solidarite " which, he said, was growing among the civilised nations in all departments of life. That solidarity must, he said, affect all their rulers. His Majesty was speaking nominally of sport, the interest in which is becoming international; but the German Press attributes to him an idea which is more directly political. He was thinking, it is hinted, of the solidarity of Europe in regard to this war, and suggesting that it might be displayed by an intervention to arrest its progress. Japan, it is added, would welcome that interven- tion. We greatly doubt that assertion, remembering Japan's former experience, and her profound distrust of the policy of Germany. In any case, there can be no intervention unless both parties to the struggle ask for it, and even then we do not see why Great Britain and America—which cannot be left out—simuld interfere except with good advice. If both the contending Powers desire peace, peace can be made without the help of outsiders, though their assent may be needed to some of the conditions.
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