2 JULY 1898, Page 2

Lord Salisbury made a speech at the United Club on

Wednesday on foreign affdirs. It ought, therefore, to have been interesting, but it was not. Indeed, the Premier himself intimated that he did not intend to be interesting, the "great servants of the Crown" having telegraphed to him, in one unbroken voice, "The more you are silent, the better we shall get on." Probably they are right while the situation every- where is so complex, but we fail to see the utility either of reporting or commenting on a silent speech. Would it not be better, if nothing may be said, to say nothing ?