Mr. Asquith, M.P. for East Fife, who has not before
spoken at any length in the House, made a very favourable impression by a speech of considerable rhetorical power, the drift of which was that boycotting could not be cured by legislation, and could be cured by putting those who originated boycotting into the seats of the legislators. Mr. Chamberlain's speech was one of remarkable vigour, showing how completely the Crimes Act, as administered by Lord Spencer, had succeeded for its narrow purpose, while all our general remedial legislation for Ireland had hitherto failed, and arguing that for a Government like this, which is determined to get at the root of the evil if it possibly can, quite the right step is to begin by restoring the authority of the law. This, said Mr. Chamberlain, is certainly within the power of a strong democracy, and often it is the most peremptory determination of such a democracy to enforce its laws sternly.
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