BRITAIN'S FOREIGN MINISTER.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LV, Issue 215, 30 January 1913, Page 3

BRITAIN'S FOREIGN MINISTER.

A TRIBUTE TO SIR EDWARD GREY. It has been a blessing to Europe and of incalculable advantage to this country that through the critical times that happily seem drawing to a close the business of the Foreign Office has been in the capable hands of Sir Edward Grey (writes Sir Henry Lucy to the Sydney Morning Herald). Representatives of foreign Powers have been swift and frank in acknowledgment of the part in delicate negotiations played by this country. Notable among tributes paid is the statement made in the Reichstag'by the German Foreign Minister: "A frank and absolutely trustful exchange of views between London and ourselves during all phases of this crisis has," he said, "not only evoked a gratifying intimacy in our relationships, but has rendered good service to the understanding of all the Powers. I should like to express definite confidence that it will continue to do this." This happy state 'of things is in large measure due to the confidence inspired in all who come in contact with sir Edward by a simplicity, honesty and candor, not habitually connected with diplomacy. Speaking in the House of Commons early this year in reference to the curiously forgotten journey of Lord 1 labiane to Berlin, he said: "It is not difficult to tell the truth; the difficulty is to get the truth believed." It was a | systematic part of Bismarck's foreign policy occasionally to blurt out the truth. He indulged himself with impunity since • he knew that since he would not be believed no harm w T ould be done, whereas, when events justified his statement, he was* able to say: "I told you so." The difficulty indicated in Sir Edward Grey's' apophthegm lias been overcome during his nearly seven years' tenancy of the Foreign Office. By this time ambassadors who lie abroad for the good of their country have learned that what Sir Edward Grey says on a current topic is the simple truth, neither more nor less. Such conviction, extremely rare in its I, application to their prefession, is a wonderful factor in simplifying and accelerating business.