The Times of Monday published a pointed and cogent letter
from Lord Hugh Cecil on the Marconi affair. "We are witnessing," he says, "a strange spectacle." Sir Rufus Isaacs
and Mr. Lloyd George expressed regret for their indiscretions, and an indulgent House of Commons accepted that expression. Yet now Sir Rufus Isaacs and Mr. Lloyd George are receiving "admiration and applause" from their friends and supporters.
True, they were the victims of false charges of corruption, partly in irresponsible gossip and partly in newspaper articles, but they deliberately did not take (till the belated lifatin action) the obvious way of combating these charges—full and frank explanation of their position to allay the gossip, and actions at law to punish the libellers. They were therefore the less to be pitied. But the celebrations at Reading and in the National Liberal Club show now that
"the Opposition were right and Mr. Asquith and Sir Edward Grey were wrong in thinking that a mere expression of regret from the two Ministers was a sufficient safeguard against mischief. We cannot tell what will be the impression which will be made upon posterity, but if we are to estimate it by that made to-day upon some of Mr. Asquith's supporters, the effect of the expression of regret will be slight. Cheers and songs and, toasts and con- gratulations are not likely to prevent the mischief of an evil example."
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