What makes these rumours seem well-nigh incredible is the very
firm attitude which was taken up by Mr. Asquith over the great dinner controversy. A considerable section of Liberal Members, usually Pro-Boers, pressed Mr. Asquith not to accept the dinner offered him by the Liberal Imperialists, and for a moment it was fancied that he would yield. Mr. Asquith, however, in a letter dated June 29th, and addressed to fostty Members who specially pressed for a refusal, declares that he will accept. He has, he says, received evidence from all parts of the country that his declarations as to the war are opportune and welcome, and he is prepared to repeat and act on them. He is the last man in the party " wantonly and without due occasion " to emphasise differences, and it is an illusion to suppose that his friends are " in the early stages of a process of political evolution." His governing aim is " what it has long been,—to attempt to convince the people that there is a preferable and practicable alterna- tive to a Government with whose policy, or want of policy, a large and growing number of them are every day becoming more profoundly wearied and dissatisfied." That, and not a meaningless acceptance of faithless compromises, is the right tone to take with a British democracy. It will be a matter of great regret if, instead of this note of manly firmness, one oz weak and unreal compromise is, after all, struck at Olt meeting at the Reform Club on Tuesday.
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