The Prime Minister ended his speech by a declaration which
sounds conventional, but which we are sure is true in fact and sincere in spirit. " We cultivate with great and growing cordiality on both sides our special international friendships." But those friendships are in no sense exclusive. " We have no cause and no occasion for quarrel with any country in any part of the world." Further, the Prime Minister explained that we can never be jealous of any move- ment which makes for the peace of the world. Therefore such special conversations and interchanges of opinions as took place between Russia and Germany are never viewed by us with the least, suspicion or dissatisfaction. " We have no aggressive purpose, and we covet no territory." We are, however, compelled to spend money for the main- tenance of our supremacy at sea. " That expenditure is regarded by ns merely as an insurance, and a necessary in- surance, of enormous interests, both domestic and external, of which the Government of this country and the House of Commons are, or ought to be, faithful and vigilant trustees." Mr. Asquith was speaking here for the whole nation.
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