We venture to assert that neither Mr. Asquith nor any
of his colleagues will give such a pledge. Indeed, we feel we are laying ourselves open to an accusation of extreme political innocence in making such a suggestion. If any proof is wanted of the true position, it is to be found in the following facts. Mr. Asquith, in accordance with his pledges to the Nationalists, included Home-rule in his first political speech. Since then, however, and no doubt in order to allay the fears of many of his more moderate followers, he has avoided the subject as much as possible, and does not mention it in his address. Again, in his speech on Wednesday night at Bradford he ostentatiously refrained from dealing with the subject of Horne- rule. When a voice interrupted him with the words, " Tell us something about Home-rule," Mr. Asquith only replied, "I am going to tell you something about a more interesting topic," and then proceeded to talk about the House of Lords.
