For later in his speech Mr. Gladstone explained explicitly that
England had known all through the war that if Austria helped France, Russia would at once unite with Germany,—in other words, had been aware of a virtual understanding, if not treaty, between the two latter powers. Further, he stated that in February last Lord Granville ascertained that there would not have been any disposition on the part of European powers of any weight even to examine jointly, at our instigation, any proposal of France in mitigation of the German terms ; the effect of which was, says Mr. Gladstone, " that we were reduced to entirely isolated action." And not only so, but when we did resort to isolated action we were not even answered, for when the Government telegraphed to Versailles, both through Mr. Odo Russell and through Count Bernstorff, recommending a reduction of the demand for indemnity, Mr. Odo Russell was not received by Count Bismarck in time to. make his application, and the message through Count Bernstorff,— which was received,—remains unanswered up to this hour. " We are given to understand that Count Bismarck was in possession of that message on Saturday morning (25th February). We have never received an answer to this representation." The Prime Minister then himself describes us as so isolated that we cannot even get Russia and the neutral powers to examine jointly a proposal we support ; and as held so cheap that the most important applications of our Government are simply ignored by Germany. That may be quite consistent with general assent and approval of our course, but it is the sort of general assent and approval with. which we hear of a competitor's retirement from business, and of the innocent occupations by which he diversifies his leisure.
