New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-29

ti0rTrifht. AfAof ~
London, November 8.
Following hard upon General Joffre's
visit TO London "to help this govern
n.nt out Of It's difficulties" came Mr..
Asouith5 speech in the House, and hard
upon that the rumor of Lord Kitchen
er's resignation; the curt denial Of it
by the Press Bureau; the reluctant adj
mission of the Press Bureau that while
he had not resigned he had gone Tor
time 70 the Near East; and finally the
suppression Of "The Globe for saying
and reasserting that he had resigned.
In the tumult Of these later events Mr.
Asouith's speech has already passed
into history. Il does not seem TO have
made the impression IL was intended to
make. In substance il was regarded as
what the lawyers call a confession and
avoidance. The judgment you pro
nounced upon it is in effect the judg-
ment Of England also; partisans ex-
eepted.
Far deeper was the impression Of Sir
Edward Carson's statement, and per
hsps deeper still that produced by his
letter Of resignation. 1t reminds one
in parts Of Mr.. Choate's remark that
he would gladly discuss President Will
sons policy if he knew what 1t was.
Sir Edward says bluntly that the Caoi-
net could not make up its mind. In
Cabinet Of that kind there was no place
for him.
The Dardanelles.
Mr.. Asquith's admission that he and
the Cabinet as a whole were responsible
for the original naval expedition TO the
Dardanelles is here thought generous.
It relieves Mr.. Churchill in part from
weight of obloquy. But the methods
By which Lord Fisher was induced
10 initial the original orders; by which
quad-approval by Lord Kitchener was
secured; and by which the final sane
ton Of the Cabinet was obtained are
still left obscure. II Is Mr.. Asquith's
habit 70 tell so much Of the truth as
he thinks likely 20 win favorable YER
dict from the public. That is the habit
OF the LAWYER in search OF a verdict
from the Jury. Possibly Mr.. Asqulth,
who has never shaken off professional
influences, forgets that the lawyer
avowedly represents one side and that a
Prime Minister is supposed 20 repre-
sent the Nation as a whole. But the
day will come. as Lord Morley said IN
the Lords, when a full inquiry into the
whole Dsrdanelles business VIII have 10
be made And into much else.
The present and the future, not the
past, are what really concern us, says
the more or less patient British public.
The more thoughtful part Of this huge
body are BIZ no means content that the
incompetents should be left In posses
sion Of the posts in which they have
failed But the thoughtful are always
q minority Possibly they are not
majority within the Cabinet itself;
that Cabinet of twenty-five now com
monty called the Debating Society.
often hear Englishmen say: We have
put our Ministers in Office. We must
trust them" L is 2 generous senti-
ment But would any man Of business
apply II 20 his own business and keep
IN a position Of trust a manager with
whose proceedings he was not content
New Ministerial Methods.
Let ~ not dwell on these things.
The truth is that under the relentless
pressure Of public opinion this Cow
eminent is slowly modifying its meth
DDS. 81 stick az nothing" said Mr.
Asquith only last Tuesday. That he
believes himself 20 have attained %
mat heroic mood We must admit. But
MS critics still reproach him with halt
ing b. the way when his motto ought
% be Full speed ahead" The hebits
~ q lifetime, or even Of an eight years
Ministry, or Of a fifteen months war,
are not % be got rid Of in moment;
hef With a phrase. In the efficiency OF
4 Ia'a,es he has deep seated belief,
BASED on Parliamentary experience;
roy readily transferable % the field
Of battle
vOoeying popular demand, the Prime
1@Aaier Is about 20 set up War
esneil: az Inner Cabinet Of perhaps
I've menbe j. sets az naught the
phthiutonal theory Of Cabinet gov
.nHthl, but lCnstitutiOn in time OF
,.I depends g. the fortunes Of war.
slo with us during the Civil War.
ne real point be-, "Will the new Council
sNS'' II 10 we're really supreme IL
sel might Awkward a. would be the
yNinon ~ the omitted H.. perhaps
.Dlsfabie % men Of spirit.--it might
Ipana tolerabic u efficient But Mr.
c9Nth does not intend his Inner
,eso'hft y be supreme. On vital ques-
~ is cec.siOnE or desires are % be
4 .sfsa 70 the existing Debating So
~ a. whole. Obviously, n can
- - oDZn .. Obviously, b cannot pro-
~. 80 shtiency % have two debating
,'Ass Instead " one, and % discuss
q ~ important measures twice over.
49, y no element of reality !u such
4 ght j. bat one more example Of the
- 81 Deg0iuton. which for years
4 ,hayeo D great part in English and
a.. pc.ihfg. There are 90 this mo-
So .i'y committees yes. lity 20
~ Wh>rn some part Of The power
49, 81 ihe whole Cabinei has been
Esse What chance 10 there that
WI succeed where 20 have faiicd7