Mr. Balfour warmly supported the Government policy. During the course
of Mr. Keir Hardie's speech a stormy incident arose, the Chairman, Mr. Emmott, insisting that he should withdraw the word "atrocities." After a long wrangle Mr. Keir Hardie withdrew. On the division being taken, not sixty Members could be found to vote against the King's visit, and the Motion was rejected by a majority of 166 (225-59). The result is most satisfactory, for it has been shown to the whole world that only fifty-nine Members of the House of Commons, or less than one in ten, are against the visit of the King, and that of these none are of any great weight or distinction. For ourselves, though we do not wish to be too optimistic about Russia, we sincerely hope that the visit will not only have good results as regards the peace of Europe, but will also indirectly lead to the internal tranquillity of Russia. Conservative Russians will feel that there is not the slightest desire here to meddle with their internal affairs, and, on the other hand, Liberal Russians will be relieved from any dread that their cause may be embarrassed by the blundering though well-meant patronage of Britain.
