Iw the absence of more detailed information regarding the political situation in Great Britain at the time of the Dissolution it was to be inferred at this distance that the General Election would find the Unionist party not only divided against itself, but without any definite lead from any single quarter. This view was confirmed by telegraphic reports to the effect that' the political weather-prophets were up to the last unanimous regarding the hopelessness of the Unionist chances of securing a majority at the Election. It is' always well to face facts, and, so far, the course of the polling has not refuted the general pessimism but there is a wide distinction between a party torn asunder and demoralized and a party fighting an up-hill battle, but with a clearly-marked goal before it and a belief in the justice of its cause. On the eve of the struggle, as is now to be seen from the Home press, the Unionists, who had been valiantly engaged for some days in eliminate ing grounds of differences among themselves and closing up their ranks, received a splendid rail from their leader in a speak delivered at Nottingham. By common consent Mr. Balfour's speech is termed " great" in the comments of the Unionist press, and there can be little doubt that his very clear exposition of the ground on' which the party took its stand gave fresh heart to his followers and provided a valuable contribution of a constructive character to the questions upon which the nation was to be asked to decide. Ita effect upon the electorate has yet to be revealed but, {as we have pointed out on a previous occasion, reasoned statesmanship has generally to fight more than one encounter before it can overcome a meaningless appeal to the predatory instincts of the masses. The " Down with the Veto" that constitutes the beginning and end of Liberal Manifesto is more ikely to win votes on the present occasion than the Unionist attempt to solve the problem of the House of Lords on constitutional lines.
IE this were not the case, one of the last acts of the House of Lords
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.