The _entente_ with France is all right in its way, but I came to the conclusion that the greatest and broadest stroke of diplomacy possible to Englishmen to-day was to cultivate more benevolent and more confidential relations with Germany.

That same feeling has been spreading through the Cabinet during the last two years.

I am ready to take my share of the blame or praise, whichever in the future shall be allotted to the inspirer of that idea.

It is our hope that when the present Government goes out of office, one of its chief claims to public approval and to historical praise will be the improvement of our relations with Germany.

We certainly do not wish to disturb the growing confidence which exists between the two countries by any maladroit or unnecessary investigations.