25 APRIL 1914, Page 19

Students of casuistry will read with interest the ingenious glosses

put upon Lord Derby's speech in Monday's West- minster Gazette, but plain persons will welcome its candour and good sense. Indeed, it is not too much to say of it that it puts the situation nette with perfect fairness and good sense, and represents exactly what the ordinary reasonable, un- excitable, unsensational Englishman feels about the whole matter. This, however, is not the first time that Lord Derby has shown himself able to interpret the mind of the beat and soundest elements in the nation. It is a most happy gift, and we sincerely trust it will not be long before it is used in the national interest in a public as well as in a private, or rather local, capacity.