New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-22

London. October 30.
There were In Mr. Asquith's Cabinet
Of twenty-five perhaps two men capa-
bic, In the high sense, Of leadership,
and one Of them is gone. Sir Edward
Carson has resigned. What is to fol-
low no man knows. What one does
know Is that discomfort and anger are
rising high. Il is not without cause,
nor alone that the leading Liberal
journal Of England turns against a
Liberal Government. ! call Il, as Of
Unionist members have never made II
less Liberal, nor much altered its
character or its methods. 1t is just
as much Mr.. Asquith's Cabinet as 1t
was before that memorable day, four
months ago, when the Prime Minister
announced 20 an astonished House Of
Commons that he had resolved 70
broaden the basis of his administra-
ton" Broaden the basis be did, but
be remained at the top. And there
be has remained ever since.
The Cabinets Indecision.
II is not and has never been and
perhaps never Will be the custom Of
the British Head Of the State 20 take
the public into his confidence by the
kindly help Of the reporters. There
Is the less need for il since questions
and answers Ia the House OF Commons
serve almost the same purpose as in
terrogatories By Press agents and
Delphic responses BY the President.
But since 10 is open 70 the Prime Min
lister % refuse 20 answer questions,
and since he generally, on al critical
questions Of war, does refuse, the pub
lie is left pretty much in the dark. 1t
has been the TOO frequent custom OF
this government 10 withhold intorma-
tion Sin the public interest
The climax was reached when Sir Ed
ward Grey made in the House what
was officially pre-announced as an "lm-
portant statement" IL was not i'm
portant and 10 was not q statement.
What the House and the country
wanted 70 know was why the Balkan
diplomacy Of England had come TO
grief But Sir Edward Grey's brief,
bald speech contained nothing, re-
vesled nothing, which any decently in
formed private citizen could not have
set forth as we'll as the Foreign Min
lister himself. So ever since the tide
has been rising, until II flows and over
flows al last into the columns Of THE
Manchester Guardian" beyond CUES
ton the ablest and most loyal Of Lib
eral newspapers in England. This
great and friendly Journal calls for
light, for truth, for the facts on which
the appeal 10 the country for men is
based; and for leadership. 1t says,
"The pontifcal superiority 70 Par
lament assumed by the Government,
and the intense cloud Of secrecy in
which 10 has yelled the conduct Of the
war. have injured and are injuring the
vital interests Of the country"
That Is an Indictment no Ministry
can afford 20 neglect. Mr.. AsGuith can
no, put Il aside as coming from those
melancholy and notorious executions"
70 the general goodness OF the British
newspapers: meaning what Radicals
call "the Harmsworth Press" II 10
from his best friend In the newspaper
world IL Is the handwriting on the
wall
Whether Sir Edward Csrson's resig-
nation - meant in part as protest
against this system OF official secrecy
ne DO not yet know. Secrecy can never
have been welcome 70 him. u has been
something more than weakness. IL
argues strange ignorance Of the peo-
pie 0hich this Government IS supDosed
70 govern. Outside OF the Ministry
every man knows that never has the
sp!rt o. this English people risen 80
high a. IN adversely. Yet Ministers
SIN dread 20 let this same people
know the truth when II Is adverse.
Carson's Statement.
Last week Sir Edward made his
t;atement % the House. He does full
justice 20 his late chief and his col
leagues; rather less than justice 70
himself He II not thinking Of him
tsf lie il thinking Of his country.
He resigns nominally because he can
not take part In the Balkan policy OF
TIE Govern ment; which he does not sp-
prove an any respect" That does not
nsee,ssrily mean that he IL against aid
70 Serbia. lie il against the policy OF
delay, Of drift, Of ignorance, OF In
adequacy, Of unmil.tary decisions.
imagine that Sir Edward Grey's state
msSt had much 20 do with Sir Edward
Csrtona resignation. Neither with him
Dor with anybody has he any personal
difference. But the position In the
Dsfdsnelles and IN the Balkans calls
ior decisive handling take II that
ne late Attorney General saw no other
say Of impressing HIS view on the
country than by resigning. In every
sentence o. his short statement shine
o., the honesty. sincerity. devotion and
patriotism o. the man. His resignation
saves the Government weaker but the
es1ntry stronger. lie takes his seat
~ The front Opposition bench. IL may
,% hoped this means that ~ last there
% be new measure o. criticism,
new demand for firm policy. CRIT
I'm lstsiy hos been guerilla sort
" business. That 10 not what Is