A large group of American millionaires are now in London
representing the New York Chamber of Commerce. They have been received by the King, who greatly appreciates millionaires, have been shown the treasures of Windsor Castle, which interest them as being unpurchasable, and on Wednesday were entertained by the London Chamber of Commerce and addressed by Lord Lansdowne. He told them, of course, that foreign policy in Europe was now mainly governed by the ambition of the great industrial organisations, which is true, and that "after all this is not amiss," which is much more doubtful. Quarrels between nations for trade monopolies are apt to be at once savage and sordid. The speeches were rather conven- tional and lacking in originality, but Lord Avebury made one remark which deserves notice. He said he some- times thought "commerce had done more for the peace of the world than even religion." Religion has not done much, Christ's prophecy remaining always true, but commerce, we should say, has done almost less. Half the great wars of modern Europe have been waged to protect privileges of trade, and most of the wars in sight have the same ulterior motive. To say, as Lord Avebury did say, that "commerce is never militant," with the spectacle of China spread out before us, is bold, not to say audacious. We might almost as well say that because the sea is an element of supreme utility, therefore it never drowns anybody.
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