Lord Selborne, who presided at the dinner given to Rear-
Admiral Jewell and the officers of the American squadron by the "Pilgrims " on Tuesday night, made a brief reference to the " inexcusable outrage " in the North Sea. He asked himself —while admitting that the supposition was impossible—what would the King and the British people or the American People do if the British or American Navy were to commit such a terrible blunder P They would, he felt sure, offer immediate and ample apology, make every possible repara- tion, punish those responsible, and offer every conceivable security against its recurrence. This being so, "I have no doubt, no more doubt than that I am standing here this minute, that his Majesty the Czar and the Russian people will feel their responsibility in this matter just as the King and the British people or the American people would feel it. They will feel the same remorse as the British or American people would feel, and take the same action to clear them- selves as the British or the American people would take." In view of the facts of the case and the nature of the audience, it would be bard to better Lord Selborne's firm but courteous words. We may add that in proposing the toast of " Our Guests," which was drunk with great enthusiasm, Lord. Selborne very happily illustrated the solidarity that existed between British and American naval officers, and their readi- ness to co-operate without the slightest difficulty. They would, he said, never be tired of seeing American sailors or of welcoming them, because their origin was common, they understood each other, and the admiration which Americans had so often expressed for the British Navy was wholly and entirely. reciprocated.
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