The National Liberal Party-the Party from which Mr. Lloyd George
evidently dreamt of founding a kind of Berserk bodyguard so strong and so numerous that it would make him master of the situation—has been gradually melting away. It has been shrivelling at both ends. Quite a considerable number of former National Liberals have joined the Wee Frees—a most happy, result, for no sensible man can wish to see the Liberal Party abolished. We want, in the interests of sound government, to see a strong and reasonable and critical Opposition, for without such an Opposition every Government becomes demoralized and inefficient. Next, in several constituencies Unionist candidates will oppose National Liberal candidates, as, for example, Mr. Hewins, who is opposing—and we feel sure he will succeed—Sir Alfred Mond at Swansea. In cases where it has been arranged that no contest is to take place, even if the National Liberal professes himself to be a strong Lloyd Georgeite, we may be quite confident that the support given by Unionist votes will exert a silent but very potent " pull " upon the candidate. If he is elected, we mean, he will be very much disinclined to go to extremes in opposition to the Unionists. It is only when Mr. Lloyd George's supporters win seats against supporters of Mr. Bonar Law that they will really be free to follow him, sword in hand, to that last and most ignominious ditch which apparently is his goal.
