The Cordova daily times., 1916-12-11

Arthur Balfour.

The return of the Liberals to office in 1905 gave Asquh another opportunity to show his satesmansp Sir Henry Campbell Zimmerman chose him chancellor the exchequer
 lie displayed sfh talents balancing the of the na-
 ona household that when Campbell Zimmerman died in 19O8 the Liberal party did not look any further the selection the dead premers successor Asquth stood above all others for the post
 Once in possession of the position of political head of the nation which he had marked for his own when bov As qulth began with policy of parliamentary social and const tutonal reform which of extremely radical nature He urged to this by his able lieutenant David Lloyd George whose mind had thought schemes of wide for the betteen of the conditions of the working classes
 Asquith soon proved his worth parliamentary leader There was no egotlsm vanity jealousy parness in his ture He did not insist playing the leading in every thng but when of his colleagues in the cabinet suggested reform he let him work it out in his own way at the same time giving him strong and whole support When the national insurance scheme providing sickness benefits and old pensions for the classes and the restricting the of the house of lords to popular legislation were under dscuson Asuh lent them all the power of his strong intellect and lucid and orderly thought
 premier in period of century had had such important problems to solve, but Asquh dealt with them as they came up without any hesitation He tried tackle task un til the necessity evident and then gave his whole thought to it. He was not lover of work for work sake but
 undertook the heavy tasks of government because he was vinced they ought to be done.
 In Asquh speeches every word od and he was always loyal to s Wor both in the letter and the spirit There no mysteries in his uterances He had bear much caumv any many angry 0uburSts from his opponents rarely had to withdraw modify any statement he made His answers were often abrupt when he thought he being played on by members of the house He sought applause and too serious for humor His calm and direct way of managing the various sections of the house eventually secured him a mlres even among his opponents and this old in his favor great crises.
 The great war came Asquith a bolt from the blue put ne handled the situation with keen judgment When the country decided that it would be necessary to form coalition government few thought of any other statesman than Asit as its leader No little criticism hurled him on various aspects ot Britain part in the and her handling it. but his colleagues the cabinet maintained roupout her admiration for his management situation invOlvnu suc variety ot interests and such immense consequences.
 Asqmhs ondeavor during his entire admnistr of the government to choose the best man for each post h ov him entire liberty to carry the plans he had formed and to let m enjoy all the credit for He had an excellent knowledge of men, and although his choices were condemned III some politically interested quarters those selected gen eray proved to be the best available for the posts they occupied.