Sir Stafford Northcote, who spoke between Lord Hartington and Mr.
Gladstone, affirmed and reaffirmed that the policy of Government was peaceful. Parliament had been summoned because it would be possible for Government, with its support, to facilitate the close of the war, and its counsel might be in- dispensable when we knew, as we did not yet know, the Russian conditions of peace. No peace which affected arrangements to which the European Governments were parties could be made without their consent. It was "needful therefore to maintain an attitude of watchful- ness and reserve." Her Majesty's Government did not intend, however, to ask for immediate supplies, but he must "re- mind the House that it may well become the duty of the Govern- ment to put themselves in a position to take the measures of pre- caution that may become necessary." Sir Stafford did not defend the Tory Press, which might, he admitted, occasionally misrepre- sent the Government, but declared that those who perpetually accused the Government of a set determination to drag the country into war did ten times as much mischief. They en- couraged the Turks to believe that there was a strong war party in Great Britain.
