In the German Reichstag on Wednesday Herr Bassermann, the leader
of the National Liberals, opened an instructive debate on foreign policy. He criticised with great frankness Germany's recent conduct, including the Emperor's telegram to Count Goluchowski, and declared that the foreign situation, so far as she was concerned, had deteriorated rather than improved. The speech brought Baron von Tschirschky, the new Foreign Secretary, to his feet. He defended the Goluchowski telegram as a purely personal matter, denied that there was any ground for nervousness about an Anglo- Russian Alliance, declared that the Triple Alliance had never been stronger than it was at present, and wound up with the announcement that, the period of estrangement between England and Germany was past. The warm welcome given to the German municipal delegates by English statesmen had awakened the friendliest feeling in Germany.. baron von Tschirschky's speech was well received, and we accept his assurances as far as they go. As we point out elsewhere, of the real friendliness between the German and English people there has never been a shadow of doubt, and we have every wish to see the same relations established between the respective 'Governments.
