Mr. Courtney's contribution to the debate was touching from its
evident sincerity and depth of feeling, but it was even more devoid of argument than his recent speeches out- side the House. He declared as usual that Mr. Kruger did his beat to maintain peace, but as usual too he failed to tell why, if this was so, President Kruger did not at the last moment make a plain and simple offer in regard to the franchise. He did not, said Mr. Courtney, accuse the Government or the Colonial Secretary of having brought about this war for the love of war. "Far from it. They never intended war. The great reason of the military mess into which they had got was that they never intended war. They thought it would be done merely for show." Mr. Courtney went on to denounce Mr. Rhodes's influence on South Africa, and here he has our heartiest approval. We note, however, that this part of his speech is reported to have been greeted with Irish cheers. We are glad to note this good sign, for hitherto the Irish Members have shown very little disposition to take up any position of hostility towards the man who was the donor of the largest subscription that their funds ever received. We presume, then, that the Irish Members have repented of having taken Mr. Rhodes's money. In that case it seems to us that the first thing they ought to do is to pay back the 210,000. Surely that is the honest and straightforward course to pursue.
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