The part which this country took in the late negotiations
in Berlin is still unknown to Parliament, but there is an impression abroad that she took a serious and important one. According to one account, Lord Derby offered mediation between France and Germany ; and according to another, signified that any attack on France would be regarded as an unwarranted disturb- ance of the public peace. The French and German papers alike congratulate Great Britain on her revival, and the Cologne Gazette speaks of a "circular" in favour of peace, transmitted from London to the Cabinets. It is certain that the English Press resented the threat to attack France because she was growing strong with most unusual vigour and unanimity, and we believe the papers expressed the sentiment of the entire people, a sentiment the more remarkable because Germany is posing as the defender of the Protestant faith. A little more spirit and decision thrown into our foreign policy, would do much to diminish the sort of contempt excited by the weakness of the Government in internal affairs, and we should welcome, though we scarcely expect, any sign of it. Only this time let us either have no guarantee of' Luxemburg, or no explanation that it means nothing.
