Mr. E. T. Cook, who has been editing the Daily
News during the last four years, has resigned the post of editor, and London daily journalism thus loses, though only for a time we hope, one of its keenest minds. Mr. Cook, besides being a most capable publicist and editor, has shown a cool- ness of head and a judgment not often to be found joined with the instinct for news, the journalist's flair for what is good or bad "copy." Mr. Cook never made the pace too hot, and though a hard hitter, never hit below the belt. His reason for leaving the Daily News is a change in the proprietor- ship, and thus for the second time Mr. Cook suffers by a revolution in ownership. We cannot, however, feel any sym- pathy with those who talk as if men who disagree with Mr. Cook's views had no right to buy the Daily News and change its policy. A man who buys a newspaper has a perfect right to change its policy ; nay, if it is representing views which he regards as harmful to the nation, it should be a matter of conscience with him to alter its tone. But though we feel this, we cannot but be amused that the sudden eon-
Pro-Boer views is applauded by men who only this time last year talked of "the capitalists crushing out free discus- sion by the power of the purse." Though we regret Mr. Cook's temporary withdrawal from journalism, we should not be sorry to see a first-class London daily con- ducted on Radical and so-called Little England lines. We do not in the least agree with the Little England view, bat we want to see that side put, and put well, and we trust that the new editor may be able to accomplish that object. If he is wise he will continue Mr. Cook's admirable tradition of never screaming to show that you are in earnest.
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