On Thursday night, much to the surprise of the House
and the nation, a complete change came over the situation. When the House met they expected to see Mr. Asquith make another attempt to force his rescinding motion through, in spite of the determination of the Opposition, openly announced, to prevent it. Instead, however, of Mr. Asquith making his motion to the House, the Speaker intervened. In a spirit of conciliation, which was universally acknowledued as in every way befitting the occasion, he suggested that the House should adjourn till Monday next, and that in this interval of rest the leaders on both sides should discuss with him a plan of his own for getting out of the deadlock, "which would be found to be more in accordance with the old precedents that have governed this House and which would not set up any new precedent." Mr. Asquith accepted the Speaker's proposal and so did Mr. Bonar Law, and the House at once adjourned.
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