New-York tribune., 1912-02-18
ASQU|TH WITHOUT RIVAL
IN TACTICS AND DEBATE
Talk of British Premier'S Retire
ment CeaseS-RadiCaIS Shake
OFF Depression.
LEGISLATION HELD BACK
Dull Financial Discussion Must
precede Introduction of Home
Rule Bill and Welsh Dis
establishment Measure
tBy Gable 10 The Tribuncl

nv Gable 10 The Tribunel
London. Feb. 17.--Irresponsiole cha''e'
sbout the Prime Minister'S retirement
~. ceased. The old parliamentary hama
has no rival at Westminster as oe
ha,er. tsctician and leader. He cannot
\. displaced as long as he wants 10 re
main where he is, and the facilltY WIZ"
which he rallies the coalition iac''ons'
.ntraps the inexperienced Unionls' ie"ue.
,nto tactless admissions and silences tho
o,nosition benches with vehement oe-
nrncistion helps 10 reinvigorate MN
and appeals to his sporting lnstincls.
II the activity Of the long triumphdn.
Tories has been suddenly paralyzeo anu
.ha faction rent coalition has shaken Oh
,ts cold ft Of depression and been nreu
with ardor for a fresh polltical cam
na,en II Is because the Prime Minister
% tba master Of the situation and can
not be spared as leader OF the house u
Commons. >,
Moreover. the succession Of DaVid
Y1ovd George In event Of Mr.. Asqullh
yetirement is no longer a foregone con-
elusion, Sir Edward Grey has regaineu
ground with the pro-German Radicals
aimee the motive of Lord Haldane's mis-
sion has been disclosed. Fatuous at
tempts have been made to represent the
Cabinet as divided into two hostile
xroups over naval ornaments and en-
tente diplomacy, when in reality Lord
Bsldane. Mr.. Lloyd George, Mr..
Churchill and Sir Edward Grey have
been working in harmony under the ul-
rection Of the King and the Prime MIN
lister.
Practical measures have been taken
for removing the impression In Berlin
that the entente with France and Rus
ala. is necessarily an anti-German ound
that prevents a settlement of contro-
versies and involves the necessity for
vasteful armaments. The Radical
prejudice against the Foreign Secretary
has been weakened, especially when the
King by his extraordinary gift of the
Garter has made 1t plain that Sir Edward
Grey will b. summoned and not MIR.
LLOYD George if Mr.. Asquith retires dur
ing this year of political storm and
stress.
unionists on the Defensive.
Unionists have been placed on the de-
fensive by Mr.. Bonar Laws impulsive
declaration that the insurance act will
be repealed when they return TO power.
Everybody on his side is making frantic
efforts 10 explain away this blazing in
discretion" but with as little success as
Lady Macbeth's in washing away the
murderous bloodstains on her hands.
Unionists, both in the Commons and in
Nthe Lords. declined to face the RESPONSE
bility of voting against the Lloyd George
insurance scheme, although they con-
sidered it a bad measure. They were
convinced that it would be unpopular
when put into operation and that it
would bring about the decisive defeat of
the government at the next general cleo
tion. They have not taken an antago-
nistic attitude toward social reform, |
but have done what they could to dis
credit the insurance act and to encour-
age revolt against 1t. Mr.. Bonar Laws |
faux pas has revealed the true inward |
ness of Unionist partisanship and dimin-
ished his own reputation for discretion.
The debate will be shifted from labor
and diplomatic to constitutional issues
next week, and will be followed by dull
financial discussion. The three most i'm
portant measures on the governments |
programme will be held back until J
Easter, and there will be no chance of ,
passing them without a prolonged
autumn session.
Confidence in Ministry Revives.
Despite the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer's quarrel with the doctors and
the determination of the extreme Radi-
calls TO subject the Foreign Secretary to
exasperating heckling over the Persian
affair. ministers have started of with an
unexpected revival Of confidence. Sir
Edward Grey, after remaining too long
in the background. is speaking at Man
chester this weekend. and is reinforc-
ing the government by his dignified and
persuasive oratory. Mr.. Lloyd George |
will be the hero Of a suffrage demonstrA- |
ton at the Albert Hall next week, and |
there will be full muster of Anglican |,
clergy in the same hall for a vehement |
protest against the disestablishment of
the Church in Wales.
Unionistg are planning prolonged |
campaign in the country against Home |
Rule. Sir Edward Carson and r. f. |
Smith will head the movement, with the |
help Of scores of ambitious Unionist |