1 MARCH 1919, Page 3

Sir Valentine Chirol is to be heartily congratulated on the

verdict in the libel action which was brought against him by Mr. Tilak. For four years an immense burden has been borne by him in the preparation of his defence. A weak man, appalled by the difficulties and expense of meeting such a libel action, might have been tempted to compromise with his opponent by offering some explanation, extenuation, or semi-apology to the public. No snob betrayal of a public duty commended itself to Sir Valentine Chirol. He went through the mill and has emerged triumphant. He is not only to be congratulated but heartily thanked. If he had failed in his action, every critic of the agents of sedition in India would have found it a much more precarious matter to express his opinions honestly.