Sir William Harcourt and Mr. Arthur Rogers, Secretary of the
Liberal Publication Department, replied on Tuesday that Home-rule is not abandoned at all. The latter explained that for the last five years books, pamphlets, and leaflets advocating Home-rule had been issued in such numbers that nobody could have been deceived into thinking that the policy had been abandoned. This particular leaflet simply drew attention to an aspect of the Liberal policy which had been too much allowed to drop into the shade. If we rightly understand Mr. Rogers, this circular, as an explanation of "What the Liberals propose to do," was inadequate, and only complementary to statements previously put forth ; but, as it had been mis- understood, the leaflet had been withdrawn a fortnight before Mr. Chamberlain wrote his letter, and a new edition substi- tuted, which restored Home-rule to its primary place at the head of the list of Liberal proposals. That seems a very odd reply, especially as several by-elections in which, as Dr. James said, the Home-rule question was generally dropped, had been won with the help of the leaflet. But we trust Dr. James and the unwary persons who were, like him, deceived, will hence- forth take warning. The Gladstonians had been angling for recruits with a sort of May-fly hook, and on their May-fly hook Home-rule was conspicuous only by its absence. It was, however, restored so soon as its work in securing voters like Dr. James had been effectually done.
