do not think they would have been even then unsubstantial or unsatisfactory.  My Lords, I hope that you and the country will not forget that these results have been obtained without shedding the blood of a single Englishman; and if there has been some expenditure, it has been an expenditure which, at least, has shown the resources and determination of this country.  Had you entered into that war—­for which you were prepared—­and well prepared—­probably in a month you would have exceeded the whole expenditure you have now incurred.

My Lords, I now ask you for a short time to quit Europe and to visit Asia, and consider the labours of the Congress in another quarter of the world.  My Lords, you well know that the Russian arms met with great success in Asia, and that in the Treaty of San Stefano considerable territories were yielded by Turkey to Russia.  In point of population, they may not appear to be of that importance that they are generally considered; because it is a fact which should be borne in mind that the population which was yielded to Russia by Turkey amounted only to about 250,000 souls; and, therefore, if you look to the question of population, and to the increase of strength to a State which depends on population, you would hardly believe that the acquisition of 250,000 new subjects is a sufficient return for the terrible military losses which inevitably must accrue from campaigns in that country.  But although the amount of population was not considerable, the strength which the Russians acquired was of very different character.  They obtained Kars by conquest—­they obtained Ardahan—­another stronghold—­they obtained Bayazid—­and the Valley of Alashkerd with the adjoining territory, which contain the great commercial routes in that part of the world.  They also obtained the port of Batoum.  Now, my Lords, the Congress of Berlin have so far sanctioned the Treaty of San Stefano that, with the exception of Bayazid and the valley which I have mentioned—­no doubt very important exceptions, and which were yielded by Russia to the views of the Congress—­they have consented to the yielding of the places I have named to Russia.  The Congress have so far approved the Treaty of San Stefano that they have sanctioned the retention by Russia of Kars and Batoum.  Now the question arises—­the Congress having come to that determination—­was it a wise step on the part of the Plenipotentiaries of Her Majesty to agree to that decision?  That is a question which may legitimately be asked.  We might have broken up the Congress, and said, ’We will not consent to the retention of these places by Russia, and we will use our force to oblige her to yield them up.’  Now, my Lords, I wish fairly to consider what was our position in this state of affairs.  It is often argued as if Russia and England had been at war, and peace was negotiating between the two Powers.  That was not the case.  The rest of Europe were critics over a Treaty which was a real