Answering the statements that England's action was purely selfish, Mr. Balfour said It is quite true that we have a great though indirect interest in the yood government of every part of the civilised globe. But as to the "direct pecuniary interest which these critics seem to assume, what is iv? What enny of direct profit is it out habit to extract irom our Colonies? Has it ever occurred to the mind of an Eogiish statesman for over 100 years thut taxes should be imposed on Colonics for the benefit of the Mother Country? Ifit be true, as it is true, that we have no pecuniary advantage to gain of this direct and corrupt kind from any conquests or any territorial acquisitions, are we not on the other hand sacrificing the lives of those dearest to us in a contest from which we have nothing to gain, except the security and honour of the Empire
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.