First of all,
let me say, very shortly, that we have consistently worked with a single
mind, with all the earnestness in our power, to preserve peace. The
House may be satisfied on that point. We have always done it. During
these last years, as far as his Majesty's Government are concerned, we
would have no difficulty in proving that we have done so. Throughout the
Balkan crisis, by general admission, we worked for peace. The
co-operation of the great powers of Europe was successful in working for
peace in the Balkan crisis. It is true that some of the powers had great
difficulty in adjusting their points of view. It took much time and
labor and discussion before they could settle their differences, but
peace was secured, because peace was their main object, and they were
willing to give time and trouble rather than accentuate differences
rapidly.
In the present crisis it has not been possible to secure the peace of
Europe; because there has been little time, and there has been a
disposition--at any rate in some quarters on which I will not dwell--to
force things rapidly to an issue, at any rate to the great risk of
peace, and, as we now know, the result of that is that the policy of
peace as far as the great powers generally are concerned is in danger.
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