THE GOLDEN MOMENT.
Erin (to Mr. Redmond and Sir Edward Carson). "COME, MY FRIENDS, YOU'RE BOTH IRISHMEN; WHY NOT BURY THE HATCHET——IN THE VITALS OF THE COMMON ENEMY?"
ESSENCE OF PARLIAMENT
PARLIAMENTARY PILADEX—THE LATEST GAME AT WESTMINSTER.
Introduced to Messrs. Balfour and Tennant by Messers. Churchill, Joynson-Hicks and Pemberton-Billing.
Monday, May 15th.—The continued absence of Mr. Asquith is causing much speculation in the Lobbies. Will the new Irish Privy Councillor come back from Dublin, like Lord Beaconsfield from Berlin, bringing peace with honour in his pack? Or will he, as so many British statesmen have done before, find the inherited hostility of Irishmen to one another an insuperable obstacle? An hon. and learned Nationalist was not encouraging. "When," he was asked, "were the seeds of this trouble sown?" "When Sthrongbow came to Ireland," was the answer. "And when do you think it will be over?" persisted the questioner. "When the world's at an end."
Last Session Mr. King was easily the champion of Question-time. But this year, thanks to the Sinn Feiners, Mr. Ginnell is coming up with a rush. Mr. King has however one consolation. Mr. Ginnell rarely extracts much information from Ministers; often it is nothing more than "There is no foundation for the allegation contained in the question." Whereas his rival, whose queries cover a much wider field, frequently elicits important facts. Like the rest of the world he has been puzzled by the coloured tabs now so commonly seen on officers' tunics. What did they mean? Mr. Tennant for once was communicative. "I think," he said, "green stands for intelligence." Mr. King is now more regretful than ever that he is over military age; the green badge would just suit his mental complexion.
Ever since the Military Service Bill came under discussion the public galleries have been full of men in khaki. As it seems difficult to believe that their presence is due to the intrinsic fascination of debates, which have been for the most part insufferably dull, another theory has been started. Should the opponents of the Bill become too obstructive and threaten its passage, will these doughty warriors leap over the barriers, drop down on to the floor of the House (in the manner already made historic this Session) and execute a new "Pride's Purge"?