New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-13


Germanize his mind from its lifelong
German training. Easy-going as are
the English, they drew the line at Hal
dane. Apparently they do not be-
grudge him the Order Of Merit now
conferred on him as a consolation in
his misfortune. They are kindly and
generous people.
Sir Stanley Buckmaster.
There are many surprises, of which
Sir Stanley Buckmaster is the most
perplexing Not because he has brought
the Office Of Press Censor into con-
tempt; il was in contempt before; but
because the greatest prize in the pro-
fession Of the law falls 10 a lawyer of
moderate abilities and no great au-
thority. II was thought rash TO make
him Solicitor General; second law off,
GER to the Government. To make him
Lord Chancellor is still more rash; and
there are those who think It almost an
sfront to the Bar. He passes over the
heads Of not a few men who are his
superiors.
Again an appointment which reflects
the personal idiosyncracies of Mr.. As
quith. He must have a Lord Chancellor
with whom his personal relations will
be easy; as they certainly will be now,
though II would be hard TO say that
Sir SANKEY'S personality is an engag-
ing one. He was arrogant TO the House
of Commons, arrogant as Censor; and
what he will be on the Woolssck no
man can foresee He will not be well
come 70 the House Of Lords as their
presiding officer, and when he sits with
the Law Lords their influence will
dominate his. Such great jurists as
Lord Parker or Lord Atkinson are not
likely TO submit themselves 70 his au-
thority The ideal Lord Chancellor
would have been Sir Robert Finlay.
Mr.. HaTcourt.
Mr.. Lewis Harcourt is promoted down
ward from the Secretaryship OF State
for the Colonies TO his old post as
First Commits Sioner of Works. The
First Commissioner Of Works is kind
Of glorifed Real Estate Agent. Mr.
Harcourt belonged 10 that peace wing
Of the Cabinet which was against war
during those critical days when peace
and war hung in the balance. Before
that he was 2 Little Highlander, in a
post which above all others demanded
d arge and wise Imperialism. To the
last the Dominions were 70 him
Colonies. and Colonies only. Quite
lately he denied to the Dominions the
right Of consulting and being consulted
in great Imperial matters. Public
opinion, and probably the overruling
authority OF the Cabinet, obliged him
TO retract this denial and TO promise
that the Dominion Prime Minister
should have 6 voice in the terms Of
rtace. But the incident was illuminat-
ing. His administrative abilities are
good and he is fully competent 10 man
age the property of the Crown.
The multitudinous energies OF Mr..
Churchill are put away in cold storage
IN the Chancellorship of the Duchy OF
Lancaster. where he has neither duties
nor opportunities He is certain to
create both. He is nearest TO the outer
door Of the Cabinet; and would be al
together out but for Mr.. Asquith's
personal liking; and perhaps, also, but
for his sense of the tragic fate which
has overtaken one OF his favorites. For
four years Mr.. Churchill has been
supreme at the Admiralty. He has done
great service and made great mistakes,
of which his premature, unconsidered
ATTEMPT on the Dardanelles was the
rcst disastrous. Some would say his
attack on Lord Fisher was more dis
rstrous still. He is the most self
reliant and self-confdent Of men; still
is; and in this new post, in itself trlv-
ial. he will still be a power in the
Cabinet. His is and will ever be, even
in humiliation and defeat, an unsub-
Gued personality. ". W. D