The Washington herald., 1908-04-12
Ability and Force Are Well
United in Asquith.
liberal PARTY's STRONG MAN
EngIand's New Prime Minister Not
Keen on Home RuIe-Is a Powerful
Debater, and Can Make Lueid the
Most Difficult Phases of Leeisla-
tiOn-His Wife a Political Hostess.


Henry Asquith premier of England. and
Row the highest ambition of the chan
eeilor OF the exchequer is gratifed. The
appointment was inevitable, and has
caused no excitement among the Lib
erals for Mr.. Asquith never held their
love as Sir Henry Campbell Zimmerman
did, The Irish Nationallsts are not par
ticularly elated at the change. for Mr..
Asquiths sympathy with their aspira-
tlons for home rule was never Keen, and
should he introduce into the House OF
Commons a home rule bill It is almost
sure to fall far short of the demands of
patriotic Irishmen
Ever since the illness of the premier
Mr.. Asquith carried a full half Of the
burden Of the governments contentious
legislative proposals. managed the ex-
chequer Of the country, and led parlia-
mentary host, comprising practically
every kind OF politician. from Imperialists
10 Little Englanders, from serious stu
dents Of politics to cranks and fadists
who make up aggressive little parties Of
their own. The mere thought Of his enor-
nous task would make the ordinary man
shrink. but Mr. Asquth was all the time
filed with secret exhilarations, for he
knew that was the great opportunity Of
his life.
The Mask of Indifference.
Mr.. Asquith's incessant mental turmoil
and his heavy burden of empire is never
shown in his face when at $40 each after
noon he strolls into the House of Com
mons to answer any questions which may
be put down to him as chancellor OF the
exchequer or as acting prime minister.
No feYerish haste marks his footsteps,
he bears no sign Of the nerve-trying day
Of work he has already completed in his
department, in his private room. and in
the cabinet chamber. lie picks his way
over the outstretched feet of ministers
on the front bench with the slow pre-
cision of an idIeT. His hands are in his
trousers pockets. his face is placid. slight
~ bored, and his whore attitude that Of
the leisuTely saunterer only family inter
ested in the scene which his entry into
the chamber has opened up for him. He
drops with an Indifferent air into the
middle OF the long line OF ministers on
the front bench. and casually picks up
the order paper of the day with the man
ner Of man who thinks he may as we'll
see what is going on. though II really
does not interest him very much.
Il Is said that Mr. Asquith. lacking
personal magnetism, is not leader Of
men, and yet in these later days the ad-
vent OF the cold-faced chancellor of the
exchequer acts in the way OF a tonic on
the crowded lines Of his supporters, even
Ion a good many Of those who are not
4entirely satisfied as 10 his orthodoxy.
They know that Mr.. Asquith, with all
his seeming piacdity can within thirty
seconds turn himself into a dragon of
furious action. They know that for ali
his Indifference he will spring 20 battle
with smashing blows the instant there is
an opening. His icy preparedness for
emergencies stirs the latent admiration
of even the Little Englanders
Personality Revealed I'm Action.
Mr. Asquith is not an imposing figure
except in action. His clothes never seem
to fit him thoroughly-his trousers al
ways appear rather baggy, his inevitable
morning coat seems too small. and his
waistcoat gives one the impression Of
being worn because it is comfortable.
To d stranger his clothes are in keeping
with the man as he leans back indiffer-
emily on the front bench. They indicate
him as a member not anxious to cut
distinguished figure. as one who is quite
content TO be among the rank and file of
& large parliamentary party. But that
impression is dissipated when Mr. AS
quith rises to his feet. Then the person
ality of the man shines forth. and the
most casual eye can see what makes
4
From his first dozen words il is apparent
that though one may dislike him, It will
be impossible to ignore him. His manner
varies with the occasion. It is generally
ruthless. He will brush political friends
aside with the same rough verbal gesture
that he uses to foes. He does not go
out Of his way TO be cOnciliatory.
A Lucid Expounder.
One has to see the chancellor OF the
exchequer at different periods of a Par
liamentary sitting to get a fair picture
Of him. The Mr.. Asquith seated with
bored face and lazy attitude on the
treasury bench is not the Mr.. Asqulth
who makes a fighting speech. Listless-
ness drops from him like a mantle as
he rises to his feet and takes mis- place
expound to the House a piece Of diff
cult and contentious legislation. He Is
a picture of cold ardor. In a deep, So
norous voice he opens with some we'll
balanced generalities. In three minutes
he has reached the heart Of his sub
ject, holding the House silent with his
lucid and direct explanations. Here IS
where he excels. II is hard TO believe
when listening to Mr.. Asquith that legis-
lative proposals can be complex or intrI-
cate. He has the power Of making a
child understands an act of Parliament,
he unfolds a budget like fairy tale,
and makes It seem almost as simple,
In packed House. with party passion
vented in disturbing cries, he can hold
his own. He can ignore all the strong
arguments against his case, twist scorn-
fully the weak arguments. throw out his
hands Ia amazement at the benighted-
ness Of his opponents, and call on justice
and truth to be vindicated
Directly his speech is over he sinks
back on the treasury bench with his old
imDassive air. II is hard TO think that
this Is the man who a minute before was
rousing his followers with peals OF thun-
derous words, thrashing his opponents
with tremendous adjectives He sinks
low on the bench, inclines his head back
as far as he can ket it, and thrusts his
hands deep into his trousers pockets.
His Wife a Political Hostess.
Dolly Asquith." as her privileged ac-
quaintances call her. the clever wife Of
the chancellor OF the exehequer, is max
ing strong bid for the position OF
queen OF Liberal political hostesges. She
has long been in training under Ladv
Colebrook and Others but the recent |
death OF Lady Campbell-Bsnnerman has
given a fresh stir to Mrs. Asquith's ae- |
tivities.
She makes no secret among hsr frls,as