104 WITH MR. CHAMBERLAIN IN THE 



for me to make an adequate response to your kind- 

 ness ; since the commission I have undertaken 

 imposes restrictions upon me which I am bound 

 faithfully to observe. I am not free to discuss 

 some of those questions which have probably the 

 greatest interest for all of us. I am sure you will 

 make every necessary allowance for me, and will not 

 expect from me any premature disclosure of con- 

 fidential negotiations, or a full discussion of matters 

 of controversial policy. (Applause.) Although I 

 am afraid I cannot promise you the communication 

 of any State secret, yet there are some general con- 

 siderations which affect important matters, and 

 which I propose, with your permission, to lay before 

 you. (Applause.) In the first place, as to the spirit 

 in which a commission of this kind should be under- 

 taken. As I passed through England and the 

 United States, and again when I crossed the boun- 

 dary of the Dominion, there was one idea impressing 

 itself upon my mind at every step, indelibly written 

 upon the face of two vast countries, and that was 

 the greatness and importance of the distinction 

 reserved for the Anglo-Saxon race — (cheers) — that 

 proud, persistent, self -asserting and resolute stock 

 which no change of climate or condition can alter, 

 and which is infallibly bound to be the predominant 

 force in the future history and civilisation of the 

 world. (Cheers.) It is said that patriotism begins 

 at home. I am an Englishman. (Applause.) I 

 am proud of the old country from which I came. 

 I am not unmindful of the glorious traditions at- 

 tached to it, of those institutions moulded by slow 



