Several letters have appeared in the Times during the week
on the King and the Constitution. As we have already published a considerable correspondence on this subject, we do not wish to dwell unnecessarily on a controversy which, however delicately handled, is bound to have the effect that it should be the endeavour of all loyal persons to avoid— that of dragging the King's name into party politics. We feel bound, however, briefly to indicate the opinions of the well- known men who have written to the Times. In the issue of last Saturday Mr. George Cave suggested that if the Government should prove obdurate and would not consent to an election before the "third time of asking" of the Home Rule Bill, the King should "exercise his undoubted right and dissolve Parlia- ment." Mr. Cave argues that this course would not be ac hallenge to the democracy such as he admits would be involved in the refusal of the Royal Assent to the Home Rule Bill. But surely it must be seen on reflection that the three different suggestions for Royal intervention—the dismissal of Ministers, the vetoing of the Home Rule Bill, and the dissolution of Parliament—all come to the same thing in the long run.
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