On Wednesday Lord Salisbury, speaking at the dinner of the
United Club, made some very sensible remarks about the effects of a disunited Opposition on weakening party disci- pline. If Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman had been a leader of the calibre of Mr. Gladstone, Members would not have risked going to dinner when their votes were wanted in the House of Commons. As to the war, it was not merely a local matter. If people think you will not defend your own terri- tory, you will soon have no territory to defend. "We have to establish in the minds of the civilised world, and especially of the African world, the conviction that if our frontiers are violated it will be a bitter time for those who have undertaken the task." That is absolutely sound. But no reasonable person has ever blamed the Government for showing too much vigour. What we have blamed them for is lack of vigour, lack of that tiger-energy which alone ensures success. We blame Lord Salisbury because he thought more of kindli- ness, good-feeling, and chivalry towards an amiable and high- minded colleague than of mercilessly driving the machine of the War Office at full speed.
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