As in time of war the cutting off of superior officers brings comparatively young ones to chief command, McKenna (in the absence of Premier, Chancellor of Exchequer, and Foreign Secretary) sits in the seat of the mighty in charge of Government business. Fills the part excellently. Ten days ago Speaker cheered House by announcement that there should be no more Supplementary Questions. Welcome resolution either forgotten or deliberately ignored. Supplementary Questions, almost exclusively argumentative, assertive, or personally offensive, buzzed about Treasury bench like bees at mouth of hive. Home Secretary, alert, self-possessed, deftly parried attack.
While Questions on printed paper were being duly picked up, put and answered, midway in melancholy proceeding there entered Distinguished Strangers' Gallery a small group of gorgeously clad princes from the storied East. They surveyed the scene with keen interest. In their far-off home they had read and talked of the House of Commons, the central controlling force of wide-spread Empire, whereof their possessions were as a bit of fringe. They had travelled far to look upon it. And here in this comparatively small chamber, scantily peopled, they beheld it.
Is this the face that launched a thousand ships
And stormed the topmost towers of Ilium?
Fortunately for reputation of the House Rowland Hunt chanced to be to the fore. The other day, burning with patriotism, he issued a circular letter addressed to non-commissioned officers of the Army, advising them how to act in certain contingencies relating to Ulster. It happens that one Crowsley had previously circulated amongst soldiers at Aldershot a handbill urging the men to disobey orders when on duty. He was prosecuted for inciting to mutiny, convicted and sentenced. Members in Radical stronghold below Gangway want to know wherein the two cases differ, and why, if Crowsley is in gaol, the Member for South Shropshire should go free?
Attorney-General, to whom questions were addressed, diplomatically discriminated. Came to conclusion not to employ services of Public Prosecutor. So Rowland Hunt remains with us.
Business done.—A couple of small Government Bills advanced a stage. House talked out at eleven o'clock.
Wednesday.—Adjournment for brief Easter Holiday. Back on Tuesday.
Sir Edward Grey (in Sutherlandshire on the day of the final debate on the Second Reading of the Home Rule Bill). "Ireland? Ireland? Where have I heard that name?"