30 NOVEMBER 1901, Page 2

The Paris correspondent of the Times gives a most amusing

account of the sudden collapse of the Campbell-Bannerman legend amongst the French friends and admirers of the Liberal leader. Oddly enough, Sir Henry has, it seems, always been well known in France. He reconciled public opinion there with the idea of a civilian at the War Office by his enthusiasm for military matters, inspired belief in his efficiency, and has consequently been regarded as the most terrible and dangerous adversary of the present Cabinet,. But now, all in a moment, by his renewed declaration of the necessity of annexation, Sir Henry has administered a terrible shock to his admirers, who see in him no longer the self- sacrificing philanthropist, but merely an indefatigable party orator. If the Times correspondent is to be believed, Sir Henry had come to be regarded in France with a veneration second only to that bestowed on the " Lor' Maire." It is sad to think that by the exercise of what Mr. Asquith calls his profound consistency," he should have heroically dethroned himself from this exalted position.