The speech, like most of Mr. Balfour's recent utter- ances,
was notable chiefly for its omissions. He did not explain why he so suddenly discovered the divisions in his party, and in admitting such divisions he was most careful to refrain from suggesting that there was any difference of opinion between himself and any other leader. Here again we must ask,—Is it conceivable that Mr. Balfour, with the words we have quoted above from Mr. Chamberlain's Oxford speech ringing in his ears, could have refrained from undeceiving Mr. Chamberlain if he means in the end to throw him over ? We have been accused of judging Mr. Balfour harshly, but we have never imputed to him conduct such as that. We believe him to be entirely incapable of that silence of dissimulation which some of his friends now impute to him. Remember that though Mr. Balfour can- not throw over Mr. Chamberlain without loss of honour, he can without loss of honour undeceive the self-deceived Balfourite Free-traders.
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