The atmosphere became still more electric when Lord Hugh Cecil
commented ironically on the scrupulousness of Minis- terialists in regarding it as an imputation gravely dishonour. lugto the Civil Service merely to warn them against doing what, in fact, the Lord Chief Justice and the Chancellor of the Exchequer had done. Mr. Lloyd George repeated his demand, but, in spite of much indignation among the Ministerialists, some of whom suggested sending for the Speaker, Mr. Whitley held to his ruling, and maintained that he was competent to deal with the situation. Ultimately the amendment was rejected by 274 to 122 rotes, or a majority of 152. We cannot profess the smallest sympathy with the Government in an unpleasant ordeal for which they have only themselves to thank. They are haunted by the ghost of the Marconi affair because they refused to give it decent burial. As for Mr. Lloyd George's anxiety, not merely to defend him- self,,but to give "other illustratiorui "—a menace, no doubt, of " revelations " at the expense of the late Lord Salisbury— we only hope that he will be given, and will avail himself to the full of, a suitable opportunity to translate these vague threats into the clearest and most positive terms.
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