When the debate was continued on Wednesday the Government showed
plainly how serious a view they took of Mr. Snowden's speech. Sir L. Worthington. Evans, Mr.. Churchill, and Sir Austen Chamberlain (intervening emotionally, although a Foreign Secretary usually has no place in a finance debate) pointed out that Mr. MacDonald owed it to his country to show where he stood. Did he condone what Mr. Snowden had said ? Did he really hold himself free to try to exact more from France and Italy than the Balfour Note permitted ? Was he going to tear up a new Scrap of Paper ? Mr. Snowden himself refused to apologize, so everything depended upon Mr. MacDonald. Mr: MacDonald would not take his dread decision till he had consulted his colleagues privately, and when he did come to the point he partly evaded it. He said, indeed, " So long as I hold the position I do, there shall be no repudiation," but when Mr. Churchill pressed him again and again to say whether those words meant that he would honour the solemn contract of the Balfour Note he was dumb. The debate ended with such a party ovation for Mr. Churchill as he has never had in his life. Labour shouted in defiance. The House dispersed tumultously. It was a very had day in the 'management of the Opposition. The hopes of Unionists " soar up again like fire," for surely they are justified in expecting the electors to see who are the safe custodians of national honour.
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