The Greek massacre has been discussed both in the Commons
and the Lords, but as yet the Government has abstained from giving any intimation of the course it intends to adopt. Sir Roundell Palmer brought forward the matter on Friday sennight in a very long speech, in which he affirmed the inviolability of diplomatists as a recognized point of international law, and showed from the papers the responsibility of the Government,—exempting King George, however, from any censure,—but did not himself suggest any course of conduct. Sir Henry Bulwer, who followed, thought Mr. Erskine might have been firmer, attributed the massacre mainly to the rashness of Colonel Thdag6nis, the officer in immediate command of the troops, and hinted that the true course was to invest " the noble-minded gentleman now King of Greece with the reality of power," a practical suggestion provided that King George is a competent man, a theory for which as yet there is no particle of evidence. His offer to be hostage for the captives may have been noble-minded, but was certainly silly. Mr. Gladstone made an extremely careful reply, in which he pleaded the necessity for further information, defended Mr. Erskine, praised the King, hoped that redress might be obtained without charging all the mischief on the popular institutions of Greece, and hinted that redress must take the form most beneficial to Greece itself,—absolute security for the future. All that is most excellent on all sides,—but what are we going to do ?
