Mr. Balfour followed Mr. Asquith in a speech which em-
phasizes what we have said elsewhere as to the absurdity of supposing that any internal crisis or party division or em- bittered controversy here can for one moment affect our foreign policy. In truth a difficult situation at home often has the effect of making us stronger abroad, for in these circumstances every Englishman is determined to show that be is not going "to allow foreigners to fool us." The notion that internal quarrels are being taken advantage of abroad is the one thing that makes all Englishmen see red. We are glad to note that Mr. Ramsay MacDonald, the leader of the Labour Party, though be thought it necessary to make certain pacific reservations, and, as we think, somewhat unfortunately to cavil at the speech of the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in effect endorsed Mr. Balfour's view. " I also hope and pray that no European nation will assume for a single moment that party divisions in this country will weaken the national spirit or the national unity."
