4 JULY 1914, Page 9

A sign of the wise and moderate temper which prevailed

in the House of Lords was to be found in the five minutes' speech by Lord Halsbury. That gallant and veteran prince of "Die- hards" showed at once his patriotism and his sound good sense by declaring that, though "his tendency" was to vote with Lord Willoughby de Broke in favour of the rejection of the Bill. he felt that "in the present circumstances there was an urgent necessity for doing something to find some means by which civil war could be avoided." He hoped, therefore, that his noble friend who bad moved the rejection of the Bill would withdraw his motion. Lord Halsbury has set an admirable example. No advocate of "Thorough" now need feel that he is doing anything weak or unmanly in following such a lead.