Greatly as Page regretted the resignation of Grey, he was much gratified that Mr.Balfour had been selected to succeed him.

Mr.
Balfour's record for twenty-five years had been one of consistent friendliness toward the United States.

When President Cleveland's Venezuelan message, in 1896, had precipitated a crisis in the relations of the two countries, it was Mr.Balfour's influence which was especially potent in causing Great Britain to modify its attitude and to accept the American demand for arbitration.

That action not only amicably settled the Venezuelan question; it marked the beginning of a better feeling between the English-speaking countries and laid the basis for that policy of benevolent neutrality which Great Britain had maintained toward the United States in the Spanish War.

The excellent spirit which Mr.Balfour had shown at this crisis he had manifested on many occasions since.