In the House of Lords on Tuesday Lord Lansdowne moved
his vote of censure on the Government. We have dealt with his speech and its consequences elsewhere, but must say here that it was an utterance in every way worthy of the occasion. Lord Lansdowne shows that he will not attempt to make any party capital out of the appalling situation into which the Government have allowed the country to drift. But he is willing to do his very be to save the ship. Though he would, of course, far rather see the vessel's bead turned round, if the order is "full steam ahead" down the rapids he will strive his utmost to prevent her striking a rock. What he will not do, what he cannot do, is to pretend that the right course was to take the ship down the rapids. Again, he will not agree to a sham plan for keeping her off the rocks. If he lends a hand, as he is most willing to do, it must be to a scheme which has some promise of success, and not to one which is certain to fail, however much it is labelled " Safety " or "Settlement."
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