We cannot find space to-day to do more than refer
briefly to Mr. Lloyd George's speech on Indian Affairs made on Wednesday night in the House of Commons. After a panegyric of the Indian Civil Service Mr. Lloyd George declared, or perhaps we ought to say gave the impression, that Britain would in no case relinquish her responsibilities in India. We confess that this sort of declaration from the Piime Minister always makes us feel very uneasy. It has so often been a prelude to a scuttle. Mr. Lloyd George is almost always on the very edge of consenting when he swears he will never consent. As to the praise of the Indian Civil Service we, of course, strongly- agree, but in the case of Mr. Lloyd George's praise, the members of that Service may well say with Dr. Johnson, "Had it been timely it had been kind." Alas ! his sympathy has only been expressed when that magnificent Service is weakened, bewildered and depressed.
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