I thought it right towards the Cabinet to reserve any specific proposition.

I am not at all inclined to adopt G.
Lewis' invention.
"I have sent off Lyons without instructions, at which he is much pleased[802]." Russell was shifting ground; first the proposal was to have been made by England and France; then Russia was necessary; now "less than five powers would not do." But whatever the number required he still desired a proposal of armistice.

On October 23, presumably subsequent to the informal meeting of Cabinet members, he drew up a brief memorandum in answer to that of Lewis on October 17, denying that Lewis had correctly interpreted his plan, and declaring that he had always had "in contemplation" a step by the five great powers of Europe.

The advisability of trying to secure such joint action, Russell asserted, was all he had had in mind.

_If_ the Cabinet had approved this advisability, and the powers were acquiescent, _then_ (in answer to Lewis' accusation of "no look ahead") he would be ready with definite plans for the negotiation of peace between North and South[803].