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Spectator, we should not hesitate for a moment, and "damn the consequences. "But we believe the exact opposite. At one time, it will be remembered, the world was encouraged to imagine that the Tsar of Russia had taken a long step towards Victory by suppressing the drinking of vodka, but in the recent debate Mr. Clynes, a much-respected Labour Member, speaking on behalf of the Government, expressed the opinion that this autocratic action had neither strengthened Russia from the military nor the moral point of view. He declared, in fact," the suppression had accounted, in some measure, for the discontent which produced revolution."

John Redmond

ALTHOUGH the death of Mr. John Redmond is a considerable Parliamentary event, because for many years the Irish Nationalist Leader had been a foremost orator of the House of Commons, it is not a great political event. He was never a strong man, and for many years his influence had been on the wane, though he never had any difficulty in intimidating the still weaker vessels who composed British Governments. There was one golden moment in John Redmond's life-namely, August 3, 1914-when he unhesitatingly cast his great Parliamentary influence on the side of Civilization, now challenged by Kultur, and by so doing went far to confirm a somewhat shaky House of Commons in the right path. Had he gone the other way, as many Nationalists in his place would have done, the result would have been disastrous. Englishmen will always remain grateful to him for this action, especially those who most vividly remember the circumstances of the moment. We equally cherish the memory of his brother, William Redmond, who set an inspiring example in the war, which, unfortunately, only too few Nationalists followed. The present atmosphere of that Party may be gathered from its selection, as John Redmond's successor, of Mr. John Dillon, a peculiarly venomous Anglophobe. They cannot be congratulated, though perhaps we are, as henceforward it will be impossible, even for credulous Unionists of the Duke, Bonar Law, Curzon, and Walter Long variety, to pretend that a Dillon Government in Dublin could be anything but hostile to this country. The Nationalist Party has driven a very long nail into the coffin of the Irish Convention. Not only is Mr. Dillon an implacable enemy of England, but he is equally an enemy of our Allies, the

Italian Kingdom and the French Republic. He represents all that is obscurantist and reactionary. Some friend of Ulster must have had a hand in his nomination.

The Grant to
Lady Maude

OUR politicians have paid so few compliments to the British Army -though they have been lavish in rewarding themselves as is pointed out in an interesting article elsewherethat the voting of £25,000 to the widow of Sir Stanley Maude came as a most pleasurable surprise, causing the keenest satisfaction to the Army and the country. Moving tributes were paid to the memory of that brilliant and lovable soldier in both Houses, Lord Curzon and the Prime Minister excelling themselves in discharging their delicate task. The former described the Conqueror of Bagdad as fulfilling "in manifold respects. . . the ideal of the Happy Warrior," while Mr. Lloyd George (March 4) gracefully told the House of Commons, "I never submitted a proposal to the House with a greater conviction of its merits and of its claims on the acceptance of this House." Sir Stanley Maude had found British prestige at a very low ebb in a place where prestige counted for much. He completely restored the position, his dramatic capture of Bagdad being among the finest feats in military history, exercising a magical effect throughout the whole East. The Prime Minister disclosed the painful fact that this great soldier had died a victim of his inbred courtesy, as on visiting a plague-stricken area he accepted hospitality at his peril " rather than hurt the susceptibilities of a people who were anxious to give him a welcome. There was cholera in the cup, and he died within a few days." Mr. Snowden's opposition but served to emphasize the universal appreciation of Sir Stanley Maude.

We have just published what we believe our readers will find to be a most attractive little volume, entitled Take Cover,* in which Mr. Ian D. Colvin discusses, in his own inimitable "Take Cover" and witty manner, many topics of interest to political students, in the form of sparkling conversations in a raid shelter where a small but miscellaneous company has been driven by stress of circumstances.

Take Cover, by Ian D. Colvin. Published by the National Review, 43 Duke Street, St. James's, London, S.W.1. 2s. 6d. net.

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A PLEA FOR THE PREMIERSHIP

THERE are some famous words of Cromwell's that at this dark moment it is heartening to remember. "I raised such men as had the fear of God before them, and made some conscience of what they did, and from that day forward, I must say to you, they were never beaten, and wherever they were engaged against the enemy they beat continually." Then he added: "I had rather have a plain russet-coated captain, that knows what he fights for, and loves what he knows, than that which you call a gentleman and is nothing else. I honour a gentleman that is so indeed." No one who has seen our Armies in France can doubt that the spirit of Cromwell's Ironsides is the spirit of Sir Douglas Haig's, that the flame of battle blazes in the hearts of our soldiers, and that they too know what they fight for and love what they know.

Here at home the impious designs of the enemy are not so clear in men's minds. That is the impression I have formed when returning home after a prolonged absence. The tortuous course of the peace negotiations in Eastern Europe has baffled men's judgments about the chances of the war and clouded their vision. The stress of war appears to have exasperated people at home, and their torment finds expression in fiercer denunciation of each other than of the enemy. This state of mind, were it to continue, would endanger the security of the State.

The bitter attacks on the Prime Minister are an illustration of what I mean. Mr. Lloyd George's virtues and faults are clad in thunder; they are so sonorous and startling. There is never any doubt about his mistakes or his successes. But, after all, whatever errors of judgment he may commit, he is the instrument chosen by the people of our Empire, and accepted by our Allies, as the leader best suited, at the moment, for the great end of beating the enemy. Few who wish England to have the victory

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