27 FEBRUARY 1904, Page 2

As we have said elsewhere, this account of his action

almost exactly bears out the interpretation which we gave of the events that so bewildered the country last September. The Duke, out of an excess of loyalty and moderation, allowed himself to be placed in a false position ; but the moment he realised its true nature he extricated himself from it, and extricated himself without loss of dignity or of influence,—a most remarkable fact, and one due to the absolute honesty and to the entire absence of self-seeking, or even of self-centredness, which mark his character. His account of the event also shows that we did not go too far in the astonishment we expressed at Mr. Balfour's action.