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Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1919, Page 2

IThe fact that Mr Asquith’s name is •being mentioned as the first President of the League of Nations, is at once a compliment to that statesman, as ii is a recognition in a complimentary • way of 'Great Britain’s part in tlio settlement of the war. Mr Asquith was the Prime Minister of Britain, when the question of taking the responsible step of war became necessary. Mr As. quith performed his difficult task with a ■full .sense of the responsibility besetting him. He was surrounded by men no less anxious and sincere to do their duty than himself. The Cabinet moved deliberately and with full notice to the world as to what their attitude would be. Britain entered the war with the immediate purpose of championing the cause of violated Belgium, and Mr Asquith made it plain that Britain’s sword would not ho sheathed fill the task were accomplished. Although Mr Asquith went out of office, his promise was fulfilled, and to-day Belgium is receiving repartition for the great wrongs put upon her. Mr Asquith as a brilliant, barrister and a brainy statesman is one of tho nation’s bulwarks. He has courage and tenacity of purpose in keeping with those traits of character associated with the John Bull type. He is a logician and his whole gifts and training befit him to fill the post his name is associated j with, with credit and renown. He is j n man of marked fairness and the jus. tice he will mete out will be well and truly weighed in a just balance. The appointment is of tho highest, importance and a British statesman in the position is a compliment to the nation which through Mr Asquith directly es poiised the cause of small nations

It is clear that the riots and rebellion in Egypt nro of a serious character. Tlic censor has prevented details of the

event leaking out to any extent. The fact that General Allenby has been hurried to the East again is an indication that decisive measures arc necessary and will be taken. The General is the successor as it were of. Lord Kitchener who became renowned because of the wisdom he displayed in restoring order to Egypt and her confines. No doubt the Turkish element in Egypt are trying their hands at an insurrection, but the effort is doomed to failure. Britain because of her possessions in and about Egypt, and notably the Suez Canal, must maintain order to secure a safe and secure highway to India, and the far East where the British interests are of such great importance. The rioting appears to be in the' more populous centres of northern Egypt, where the lesson of the war, strange to say, does not appear to have penetrated the native mind. Britain’s ability to control the situation does not appear to have struck the natives who in their fanaticism have been led astray by leaders working for their own ends. The uprising while disconcerting for the time being j cannot be prolonged, and now that General Allenby is on the scene repressive measures will be taken to restore order and enable the nation to reap the great advantages which must accrue to Egypt now that there is settled law and order to be established in Asia Minor where other great Powers will be exercising the League of Nation mandatories.