of the Foreign Affairs Budget, made an admirable speech on
the European situation. He was glad that the Russian Alliance had once more become a "European instrument of conservatism and peace" after its "long Asiatic deviation." That and the entente cordiale with England were the pivots of French policy, and it was the task of France to multiply opportunities of friendliness between her two allies. Else- where the prospects were cheering. Italy was bound both to France and England, and another member of the Triple Alliance, A ustria, had always played a moderating role. America under President Roosevelt was more than friendly. Finally, he had some frank and friendly words to say about Germany. Prince Billow had praised French patriotism, and justly. France, like Germany, was faithful to her great historical memories. "There are between Germany and our- selves certain questions still held in reserve. If that were not so, we should be unworthy of the homage paid us by the Chancellor." But a new era of straightforward diplomacy had set in between Paris and Berlin. If Germany did not seek to separate France and England, then France had no wish to isolate Germany.
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