250 LIFE OF SIR JOHN LUBBOCK ch. 



of Europe ; that the enormous taxation they involve 

 is a great drawback to the prosperity of both Germany 

 and England, and must increase the present tendency 

 to discontent and socialism. 



My colleagues do not underrate the practical diffi- 

 culties, and the paragraph only refers to reduction as 

 an object to be aimed at. They had hoped there was 

 general unanimity so far, and that the paragraph was 

 not therefore controversial. 



However, we agree that an address of welcome 

 should be worded so as to be acceptable, and if you 

 still wish it they will therefore omit the passage, and 

 consequently the following paragraph. — I am, yours 

 very sincerely, Avebury. 



His Excellencv, The Count Metternich. 



To which Count Metternich replies : 



London, November 1st, 1907. 



Dear Lord Avebury — I am much obliged for your 

 letter of to-day. 



The question of the limitation of armaments has 

 been up to a recent date a controversial one amongst 

 the Governments represented at the Hague Conference. 

 The English and German Governments held, as is well 

 known, different views on the subject. No Govern- 

 ment has, so far, been able to find a formula by which 

 the armaments question could be usefully approached. 

 Many people in this country and elsewhere have expressed 

 the opinion that an international discussion of the 

 question would at present do more harm than good. 



The limitation of armaments being a question of 

 controversy and in no way connected with the 

 Emperor's visit to England, I could not help saying, 

 on my opinion being asked, that it had better be left 

 out of your address. 



One may be a lover of peace and yet believe that 

 the question of armaments is not ripe for negotiations 

 in the present state of European affairs. 



It seems to me that your Committee is taking the 

 right line in fostering peace by trying to strengthen 

 the friendly feeling between our two nations. Before 



