1 FEBRUARY 1908, Page 2

In the House of Commons Mr. Lehmann and Mr. Howell

Davies moved and seconded the Address. Mr. Balfour's speech, though an excellent example of Opposition leadership, and doubtless most effective in the House of Commons, was, we confess, in its earlier part, that dealing with the Anglo- Russian Agreement, the Hague Conference, the Transvaal, and the New Hebrides, too much inkired by the desire to pick holes at all costs. Taking a wide and non-party view, the Government must be admitted to have done exceedingly well in the realm of foreign politics, in spite of the hostility shown by a very large section of their supporters. We wish, too, that Mr. Balfour had adopted a more sympathetic tone towards the Irish University Bill. It is in the interests of both sides that that question should be settled, and settled in a way that will fully satisfy the demands of the Roman hierarchy, provided, of course, that the rights of Trinity College are properly secured. With Mr. Balfour's criticism of the Government in regard to disorder in Ireland we find ourselves in full sympathy. There he has an overwhelming case.