10 JANUARY 1903, Page 3

The Newmarket by-election has resulted in the defeat of the

Government candidate by a majority of 507, the figures being: Mr. C. D. Rose (L.), 4,414; Mr. L. Brassey (U.), 3,907; Liberal majority, 507. At the election of 1900 the Unionist majority was 1,077, but in 1895 it was only 343, and in 1892 the Liberal majority was 1,223. Still, the conversion of a Unionist majority of 1,077 into a Liberal one of 507, and so the loss of a seat, cannot be regarded as a favourable omen for the Govern- ment. Many explanations of the defeat have been given, but we cannot doubt that the desire of the constituents to mark their opinion of the German Alliance affected many votes.