Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-23
Logical Successor as Premier
to Campbell annerman.
IS NOT A POLITICAL MIXER
Self Made Man and Brilliant
Lawyer.
HAD il HARD EARLY STRUGGLE
Coming Great Pageant in London
Will Be Wonderful Series Of
Historic Tableaux.
Special Correspondence Of The Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Star.
LONDON February I. 1908.
The fact that Mr.. Asquith. chancellor of
the exchequer, will this session lead the
house of commons in the absence of Sir
Henry Campbell Zimmerman points in
evitably to his succession to the premier
ship whenever that post becomes vacant
Mr. Asquith is not the most popular fig
ure on the treasury bench. The rank and
| file of the party rather fear than ike
him, and many liberal members in the
house do not know him personally at all.
He has none of the bonhomie and ge-
niality of &C. B. for he is by nature
reserved. This arises from the fact that
he has none of the smaller arts OF in
gratiating himself with men. He is not
at home in the smoking room unless he
is discussing some serious topic He has
had no time for small talk in his siren
| uouS life, for he is a Self-made man, oW-
| ing his success entirely to his own ef-
| forts.
Mr.. Asquitn, who has had to fight his
own way al the bar, knows too well the
struggle of the middle classes to sacrl-
flee them to the labor party, with it's crude
demands for extra taxati ton on incomes
over $500 year. He is deeply opposed
| to socialism. standing as he does for
policy of sane and moderate reform. In
this direction he is for going slowly and
cautiously, believing that capital and labor
should work together, and that the I'M
provement of the condition of the work.
ing classes is in the highest interest OF the
capitalist. He is slow to make up MS
mind on a question, but, having once
made it up, he is extraordinarily reSolute
| in carrying out his purpose. This is what
gives him that maSter1ul tone In debate
as with admirable logic and high sound
sounding phrase, he drives his arguments
home.
Protege of Gladstone.
His training at the bar, which he join
ed when he was twenty-four. has not
spoiled him for the house of commons. He
has none of the lecturing ways of an at
torney, and never addresses the house as
if it were a jury. He began his political
Eighty Club. and it was his energy and
| ability in this sphere that first attracted
| the notice OF Mr.. Gladstone.
| His success at the bar was phenomenal,
the Parnell commission he won universal
| admiration by his croSs-eXaminatlon OF
Mr.. Macdonald, the manager of the Times.
| When he entered the house in 1886 he
| had to lead the double life of member and
a lawyer with a big practice. But he
| soon came into notice as brilliant de-
batter. and Mr.. Gladstone singled him out
to move the amendment to the address
which proved fatal to Lord Salisbury ad-
ADMINISTRATION in 1892. This was very
| high honor for SO young a parliamenta-
j.. ran, and was the forecast of a sun great
er honor, for when Mr.. Gladstone re-
turned to power in 1892, Mr.. Asquith who
was then just forty, became home secre-
| tary.
In the year following the home rule
bill troubles Mr.. Asquith remained con-
snicuous as a leader of his party. But
his opinions as he grew older were modi-
fed, and he refused to follow Sir Henry
Campbell Zimmerman in his opposition to
the Boer war. He did not desire the war
or believe that 1t was inevitable, but Wnen
once his country was at war he refused
to support the advanced section OF his
party who opposed it. In this respect he
had the support of Lord Rosebery, Sir
Edward Grey Mr. Haldane and others
who formed the liberal league. But in
1901 when a split in the liberal ranks
seemed inevitable, Mr.. Asquith came for
ward and supported a vote of confidence
at the Reform Club in Sir Henry Camp
bell Bannerman as leader of the oppo-
sition.
Ardent Free Trader.
When Mr.. Chamberlain came out with
his great scheme Of tariff reform Mr..
Asuuith was his most formidable oppo-
nent on the treasury bench. Since then
he has held up the banner of free trade
in many a hard-fought battle. When the
liberals returned to power he was, of
course. marked out for high office, and as
chancellor of the eXchequer became &c.
BIS" right7hand man in the house of
commons. His budgets have been. like
himself, logical. level headed and unim,
FASHIONED. In the present session he will
be virtually leader of the house. and the
two most important measures of the ses-
sion will be under his guidance. He has
now nearly reached the pinnacle of his
career. and is clearly destined to be the
next prime minister. He looks young for
his age, but his hair has whitened at the
temples, which adds touch of benignity
to his stern and stiff-lipped face. which
when he speaks becomes alight with eX-
preston.
Coming Pageant.
1t is stated that the details of the vari-
Gus scenes which are to be presented to
the public in the great London pageant,
which is to see the light next July, are
now completed and will exhibit remark
ably fine series of spectacular effects. 1t
Is estimated that the cost involved will
be somewhere about 100000 in spite Of the
| TACT GndC SO many OIL the managers, per-
| formers and assistants will give their
services gratuitousy. Prehistoric London
will first be presented. then Roman Lon
don with Roman emperOrs, druids and a
| sacrifice to Diana. Saxon London will
next exhibit the installation of the first
Saxon bishop, and London under the
Danes will supply the martyrdom of ST.
| Alphage and the attack by King Olaf of
London bridge. The Norman times will
show the departure of Harold for the
| coast to meet the invader, the subsequent
entry Of William the Conqueror. the grant
| Of a charter to London and the transfer
ence of the bones of Edward the Con-
! lessor.
| Historic Pictures.
Then will come the departure of the lion
i hearted king for the crusaders, the feast
of five kings. the Canterbury pilgrims, the
crushing of Wat Tyler's REBEL on, the re-
| turn of Henry V from Agincourt and the
| election of Richard III at Crosby Hail.
| which has just been lost to the pub ic.
There will be a representation of May day
| festivities and a medieval tournaments
| connection with the marriage of Henry
VII TO Elizabeth of York, and Queen
| EliZabeths visit to brakes Golden
| Hind" when the great nav gator returned
| from a voyage round the world. Charles
| ard there will be representation of the
restoration. The times of the early Hano-
verian monarchs will be illustrated. and