21 DECEMBER 1901, Page 3

On Tuesday the Liberals of Birmingham attempted to hold a

meeting in the Town Hall, to be addressed by Mr. Lloyd-George. The idea of a Pro-Boer demonstration— which the meeting, rightly or wrongly, was held to be—proved most distasteful to the majority of the people of Birmingham, and the result was very serious rioting, which prevented the meeting, did a great deal of damage to the Town Hall, and unhappily caused the loss of one life, as well as many injuries to the police and the rioters. Needless to say, we have no feeling but of disgust and indignation at the refusal to allow Mr. Lloyd-George and the Pro-Boers of Birmingham a hearing. Such action is as foolish as it is wrong. Pro-Boer oratory can have only one effect,—tce stiffen Englishmen in their determination to carry the war to a finish.