Later in his speech Sir Edward Grey contrasted the functions
of newspapers in home and foreign affairs. In the former they engaged in open controversy and contention for victory between themselves on a party footing. In foreign affairs their object ought to be the same as that of diplomacy —to smooth the path of international relations—but not to shun the truth. International differences would not be improved by pretending that no differences of interests existed between nations. But good relations could be greatly helped by the tone of the Press, by confining points of dispute to their true proportions, by endeavouring to grasp and under- stand the point of view of the other nation, and by empha- sising the common humanity that underlay all points of difference. By this wise and frank speech Sir Edward Grey gave yet one more proof of his capacity for guiding the destinies of the nation.
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