Mr. W. H. Smith's reply was very cordial to Lord
Randolph,
and also very firm and businesslike. There was the greatest danger of war in Europe, and with a great war it was of the first importance that we should be ready to protect English interests, and not be found napping at the critical moment. Lord Randolph Churchill had suggested nothing but the postponement or abandonment of the grant for fortifying the Colonial coaling-stations in distant seas, and
that course would have been most dangerous, as well as unwel- come to the country. It was not true that the foreign policy of the Government was meddlesome, or of a kind to involve us in war. But British interests are very serious,,and we mast be pre- pared to protect them. It is to this our foreign policy is devoted, and not to needless and fussy intervention. Mr. Smith regretted extremely the loss of so able a colleague, but hoped he would assist them and the House to find really safe economies so soon as the time for sifting the Estimates came on. Nothing could have been more sensible and calm than Mr. Smith's first speech as Leader ofthe House of Commons.
