2 AUGUST 1913, Page 2

In spite of the confident assertion in regard to Sir

Rufus Isaacs's becoming Lord Chief Justice, we cannot believe that Mr. Asquith will really make the appointment. For such a post the Prime Minister must choose a lawyer who has shown a high sense of delicacy and discretion and of what is becom- ing in the holder of a great trust, and not one who, however leniently we may judge his actions, must clearly be held to have displayed the very reverse of those qualities. It would no doubt be very difficult for Mr. Asquith to leave the leader- ship of his own party at this juncture. Otherwise there can be no doubt that he would make an admirable Lord Chief Justice. He possesses just the qualities for that great office.