Turning to the formation of the National Government, Mr. Asquith
said with emotion that it was " a task as repugnant as could fall to the lot of any man" to part with loyal colleagues. To lose them had been the most painful experi- ence in his public life. He had, however, become convinced that the Government responsible for conducting the war ought to have no semblance of a party character. A National Government would prove to the whole world that, after nearly a year of war, the British people were more united in purpose than ever. Two facts in particular were emphasized. The nationalization of the Government meant no surrender of political convictions on either side. What he had believed in the past he still believed in, and would fight for in the future. Secondly, the National Government would not change the pulley of the country. They would pursue the same object which the late Government had pursued from the beginning of the war. Every man in the country must respond with whatever he could give, with whatever he could sacrifice to the dominating and inexorable call. After some discussion Mr. Asquith said that be had made his curiously reassuring statement at Newcastle about shells on the highest authority accessible to him, and that in his judgment the Dardanelles campaign would be successful.
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