In the House of Lords the Address was moved by
Lord Wharn- cliffe in a long-winded and dull speech, and seconded by the Earl of Loudoun in a few words of no particular meaning ; after which Lord Granville, in a speech of great neatness, pressed home inquiries to which he got no answer,—whether the assurances received from Russia, in answer to Lord Derby's despatch on British interests,—which were pronounced satisfactory at first,— had lately lost their force ; if so, through what events or state- ments; and if not, why Parliament had been summoned together in a hurry to provide against "unexpected "occurrences, which, of course, being unexpected, might have happened at anytime. Lord Granville also pressed home the question whether it was advisable by a small increase of the material strength of the country to waste the great moral strength which strict neutrality alone really gives. He also asked whether or not the British Govern- ment know of any understanding of Russia with Germany and Austria as to the limits beyond which Russia must not go. If they do, that is a security for British interests which far exceeds in value any small addition to our material resources. But Lord Granville evidently fears that our diplomatists have not got any information on this subject, and thinks that if it be so, it is very serious evidence of our diplomatic helplessness and isolation.
