Was Britain in splendid isolation under Lord Salisbury - 1885 90?

... Was Britain in splendid isolation under Lord Salisbury - 1885 90? In a speech at Lewes on February 26, 1896, in defence of the government's foreign policy Goschen, the First Lord of the Admiralty, after first noting the need for negotiation and for vigilant defence, went on to speak on the subject of Britain's isolation. 'Our isolation', he said, 'if isolation it be, was self-imposed. It arose out of our unwillingness to take part in Bismarck's "log rolling" system. We are not good at the game, and so, while they are all bartering favour for favour, promise for promise, we have stood alone in that which is called isolation- our splendid isolation, as one of our Colonial friends was good enough to call it. Let us look the matter in the face. We cannot make alliances unless we are prepared to give as well as receive.... Why are we isolated? We

want to read more? →