ABSTRACT
South African War in Europe would be disastrous because Britain might have to join the conflict, with incalculable consequences for her world position. Two men bear the responsibility for the conduct of British foreign policy between 1902 and 1914, though we can only speculate on the importance of their individual contribution to the course of events Lord Lansdowne and Sir Edward Grey. The war, whose course and conclusion has just been discussed, inevitably conditions our consideration of their diplomacy. Committed to the war though, Grey had little doubt that it meant the end of British and European civilization as he knew it. The problem to which Grey did continue to give great deal of attention before he left office in 1916 was American neutrality. No Foreign Secretary after him approached Grey's length of service and standing. During the war, there were demands for the 'democratic control' of foreign policy, though there was little agreement about how it might be effected.
