For the present it does exist. The German Liberals are
be- ginning to see that a huge crime is being committed, and to hold meetings in which the sentiment of England is being extolled. The Italians are entirely on that side, and even in France there are evidently qualms of conscience, especially in the Catholic party and among those who hold to the traditionary policy of protecting nationalities. Public feeling, however, is not strong enough to move the Governments, and in official circles there is no response to it; those circles protesting that peace must not be broken, and that hypocritical Britain wishes to break it in order that she may obtain some advantage out of the resulting confusion. This opinion is naturally considered in England a, mere subterfuge to conceal the callousness of those who profess it, but there is reason to fear that it is seriously enter- tained even in Austria, which is never in collision with us, which does not love Turkey, and which would only a few months ago have joined us in an armed demonstra- tion against Constantinople. We have elsewhere expressed doubts whether, if England acted alone, the Powers would or could form a coalition against her, but the annoyance felt at her isolation is very deep, and it must be remembered, in justice to the Continent, that it has much more reason to dread an outbreak of war than we have. If war meant for us invasion we should be much more callous and suspicious too than we are.
