New-York tribune., 1908-04-15
ASQUITH'S TIGHT REIN
Strict Guidance of Colleagues in
the Cabinet.
London. April 4.


but probably permanent, and this of itself
piques curiosity and commands attention. Sir
Henry Campbell Bannerrnan, easygoing and low
able. drove a rather unmaua geab BILE team with
a loose rein chirrUping pleasantly. whistling TO
keep UP his spirits and using drag whip
Mr.. Asquith. less conciatOry and more deter
mined. keeps his horses under tight rein. does
not allow them to take their pace and snaps
the whip with consciousness of mastery. This
contrast in methods OF leading tends to arouse
interest in what has been dun political sport. Il
is lifN the introduction of style of riding
on racing course where the horses are stale
, and the results foregoue conclusions The new
jockey is eagerly watched sharply criticised
and warmly admired Everybody talks about
his methods and form. and his success or failure
is the subject Of constant conjecture. So is II
| with Mr.. Asquth. With his appearance as the
substitute for and the necessary successor TO the
Prime Minister the proceedings of Parliament
have been greatly envened His progress is
watched from day 10 DAY. and everybody is in
terested in seeing how he gets on and how
II, cky he may be in avoiding fall
Curiosity is increased by something intensely
human. This is pride of Judgment. Mr.. As
quith's enemies within and outside the Liberal
party have been predicting for long time that
he would fail, because he too closely identi-
fed with a single faction. too cold and arbi-
devotion and too much of advocate ever to
suit the House, which has it's own ideas and
/ standards of parliamentary style and leadership.
These forecasts are now 10 be brought TO a prac-
teal test, and the prophets are waiting for evil
.dence of their own cleverness and sagacty in
anticipating his fate. AS for Mr.. Asquth HIM
SELF he shares undoubtedly what is the common
heritage of statesmen of brilliant gifts and posi-
] tive character-an irrepresstble desire to prove
N,fyN
that their predctors miscalculations. IT
has been generally assumed that he would be
unconciIiatory and headstrong and smash up his
party He naturally is bent upon disappointing
critics and antagonists and upon keeping the
IA tions together by leadership as tactful as 1t
is firm. Public interest in political drama in
creases when the light is centred upon the new
leader, who has been the subject of such gloomy
vatcination, and has the opportunity OF
showing his mettle and putting his enemies to
confusion. Debates dull subjects are full OF
! animation and variety when the influence OF
forcble personality is felt and characteristic
qualities are adapted TO situations they arise.
His future may be in doubt, but 1t cannot be
denied that MI Asquith has made an excellent
start and created favorable impression as
leader who knows his mind and does not
shirk the responsibility Of governing the country
with indexible purpose. He has converted the
licensing bill into a moral issue worthy OF the
noblest traditions Of Liberalism by defending it
as a comprehensive temperance measure ana
showing how necessary it is for the state to re-
gain complete and undisputed control of the
drink trade He has deferred the question of a
separate Parliament for Ireland on the common
sense ground that the general electorate has nor
authorized it and that special mandate must
be received from the nation; yet he has not dealt
unsympa thetically with Home Rule aspirations.
nor neglected TO make full of the opportu-
nifty for redressing the grievances OF Roman
/ Catholics respecting university education
He has been as firm when confronted with
these questions as he years ago In con-
demning dynamite criminals and in taking the
! patriotic side during the Boer war. The SUI
| preme test of strength OF character Will come
when' he orders the next budget and explains
| his pensions scheme: but so far as he has gone
! he has Seen a resolute leader swayed by moral
| convictions. Yet he Is also conclhatory. Inc
education controversy is likely TO be settled oy
/ an equitable compromise, and the claims OF
| churches and factions in the way of being
! adjusted on give-and-take principles Mr. AS
uuith may be destined to repeat the experience
! of Sir William Harcourt the old-fashioned
! WING who commanded in due time the support
! Of progressive Radicals and became as popular
! in the House as he once unpopular
| The oldtme reproach that lawyers have the
| habit of speaking though they had been
! .roriefed" for their party, and consequently are
not liked in the Commons has been raised
! against Mr. AsqUth. 1t IS not likely that they
! have greater facility IN convincing themselves
Of ANYTHING they want to believe than other
! psrtisans: and if they think of effective counter
arguments and do not state them, il is not nee
essarily a proof of insincerity. If lawyers
speeches are not liked in the Commons it is be-
cause the members are easily bored with de-
tails and prefer neat phrasing and brilliant cpl
! grams 70 diffuse and roundabout arguments.
! Yet one of the most delightful speakers in the
! Commons is barriester, Mr.. Birrell, who can
not be dull even if he tries, as has been proved
| this week bv his speech in introducing the Irish
; University bill. Mr.. Asquith lacks Mr. Birrells
droerv and literary art, but he is the most
powerful debater on the Liberal side and an ex-
| ceedingly adroit tactcian. Nobody has stated
! the general argument against tariff reform
! with as much lucidity and cumulative force as
! Mr. Asouith There is no member Of the gov
ernment so competent to spar and fence with
Mr.. RaIfour nd to hold his ground against in
sidious attack 1t is the trained debater rather
! than the "brefed" lawyer that IS now leading
! the Commons.
! Mr. Asquith will make a serious mistake if he
! attempts like Mr.. Balfour to do the bulk of the
work for his side and to keep back the aspiring
/ talent Potent his personality will be when
he is fully armed with the responsibilities Of
the first Minister of the Crown, he will
strengthen his authority and Influence by draw
ing freely upon the intellectual resources OF MS
: coIlea CUES. and by helping along the ambitious
Youngsters The most effective coalition he can
! make is with Mr.. Lloyd-George, who as Chan
collor Of the Exchequer assist him with
J in tc eli,