There was a discussion in the Lords on Monday about
the recognition of Marshal Serrano's Government % in Spain, but it did not come to much. Lord Derby said, in answer to Lord Granville, who hinted that such recognition waa,'premature, that it was the practice to recognise any governmentIconstitutionally established or accepted by the people ; but while be admitted that the Regency had no constitutional basis, he diA not say how he tested the general acceptance. Indeed, he said afterwards that he recognised Serrano because Germany had taken the initiative, and if he had not followed suit there might have been complica- tions, though he allowed that Russia did not follow fmit, and there were no complications. We fail to detect any fixed rule of action in Lord Derby's speech, although there are certainly two either of which would suit the permanent policy of this country. One is to recognise any Government visibly in possession because it is in possession, and without waiting for hints from Berlin, and the other is to recognise any government of which we cordially approve. In Serrano's case, the Government waited for pressure, and then recognised a Government it did not like, which imme- diately after toppled down. There is no importaseein the incident, but one is rather tired of always seeing the lion wait for a prod from behind before it roars. It suggests a keeper in the background.
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