On Monday night there was no pretence of concealing the
desire simply to badger the Government out of all patience and self-control, a strategy which fortunately did not succeed. The first dead-set was made upon Mr. Balfour with respect to the " shadowing " of suspects by the Irish Constabulary. Mr. Balfour said that only those who were believed to be intent on boycotting and intimidation were thus " shadowed," and that it was, in fact, with the view of preventing " crime " that the " shadowing " was authorised. At the word " crime," a furious scene broke out, Mr. John O'Connor " hurling the word" in Mr. Balfour's "teeth," whatever that might mean, and Mr. Dillon ignoring altogether the Speaker's orders, and pouring forth incoherent invectives to a tumultuous House. Mr. Balfour's composure was never ruffled, and while adhering to the assertion that boycotting and intimidation constitute crimes, he had no objection, he said, to substitute the particular words for the general one, if the honourable Members pre- ferred it. Mr. Cunninghame Graham rather effected a diversion by expressing surprise that the Opposition leaders should be so fierce against " shadowing" now, when they had not raised their voice against it at all during the Trafalgar Square riots two years ago. Eventually Mr. Dillon apologised to the Speaker, and the stream of obstruction took a less indecorous course for the rest of the evening.
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