Evening star., 1928-02-16
Herbert Asquith.

Although vested with title of nobil-
ity. /; was as Herbert ASquth that the
men who died early yesterday in Eng
land. and who for a long period was
Great Britain's premier. was best known
and as he will be remembered. The
honors of titulary distinction that came
to him were not incident to his actual
career of active service. but were SUBJ
sscuent to his retirement from duty,
He served his country as commoner,
was proud of his position as such. and
cid not measure his rewards in terms
OF formal designation.
Herbert AsQuith was a Liberal in
British politics, an unwavering believer
in the principles of that party %hich
most distinctly represented the domoc-
racv. He was gifted man. lawyer
Of unusual ability, a speaker of force
ana clearness ard logical precision, and,
save in the extreme stress Of war. an
able executive. He was an adroit par
iiamen.arian. capable of effective de-
fense under attack. and capable equally
of effective assault against the opposi-
ton when he was in leadership and
against the government when he was in
opposition.
There will perhaps always be division
Of Judgment in respect to the degree OF
credit to be allotted to Asquith and to
his chief associate in liberalism. David
Lloyd George, for the reforms that were
effected during the pre-war administra-
ton Of British affairs. They made an
effective combination, and until the
breach occasioned by the war they
worked In harmony. two dissimilar nien,
using different methods, in tempera-
naent antipodal, rare combination
Asouith was the statesman and Lloyd
George the politician of the partner
ship Of which Asquith was the leader
Social and economic reforms were &C.
conlpanied by Asquith's chief achieve
ment. the curtai!ment OF the veto power
of the House Of Lords. which effected
veritable revolution in parliamentary
government in Great Britain. Had Her
bert Asquith passed definitely from pub
lie life with the accomplishment Of this
program OF change, his name would
have been associated permanently with
one Of the most beneficial amendments
OF the British governmental methoos
ever accomplished. But, unfortunately.
it was his lot TO remain on the scene
while the war clouds gathered. and to
be at the head of the government when
they broke and England was involved
in the great storm. He was not BY
temperament qualified as master OF
navigation in such an emergency He
could not effect the reorganization es-
sential TO meet il. Loyalty TO individ-
uais who had fought with him in many
parliamentary and political battle
limited his capacity for the mastery OF
a situation altogether new and strange
AsGuith did not publicly at least rec
ognize his own incapacity In these con-
di;ions. He held to the helm until 1t
.as wrested from his grasp by coali-
ton headed by his own first mate. who
took command of the ship and brought
her into port.
While IL would have been better for
Asquith's fame and prestige had he re-
linquished command when the crisis
came, 1t was impossible for him TO do
50. He vas, indeed, in a desperate Sit
uation. He chose an honorable course,
though It led TO failure. Fortunately
lo- England. fortunately for the world.
the change was effected In season, the
British government was reorganized, the
var ministry carried on 10 success, and
Asqu!th went into retirement, In which
tor more than a decade he maintained
himself with dignity.
AS premier. ASQuith did not meas
ure Up 70 the heights attained by
some Ct Grea, Britains former leaders.
but In alb respects he vas a worthy
exempiar Of the best traditions Of Brit
iSh sta.esmansilip