The by-election in the Mile End Division took place on
Tues- day, when Mr. Warwick Brookes, the Unionist and Coalition candidate, was returned by a majority of 376 over the independent candidate, Mr. Pemberton Billing. Mr. Billing
had retired from the Royal Naval Air Service in order to stand, and he forced forward the one question of the air defences of London on which the whole election turned. Mr. Billing's methods were wanting in all the discretion, good sense, and seemliness which are desirable at such a time as this. His accusation that the Government had been indifferent while men and women were " blown up " in the " East End," and took serious action only when a Zeppelin visited the " West End," was monstrously untrue, and drew a scathing letter from Mr. Balfour. As Mr. Balfour said, its untruth was " the least part of its criminality." A man who suggests that class selfishness is the guiding motive of the Government, and who, moreover, tries to create a state of panic among the population of a com- paratively ignorant district, plays a most unpatriotic part. A large number of the electors were impressed by Mr. Billing, as they might be impressed by a glib quack doctor at a street corner—happily the number was not large enough for Mr. Billing's return.
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