1910] End of the Year ipio 333 



" igth Dec. — There are evil rumours in the papers of an entente 

 between England and Germany, which should have for its basis the 

 settlement of their rival commercial ambitions in the near East. This 

 can only be at the expense of the near Eastern populations. [Com- 

 pare Dr. Dillon's ' Eclipse of Russia.'] 



" 22nd Dec. — The Elections are now over, the result being an exact 

 repetition of those of a year ago. The Government claims it as a de- 

 cisive victory. Though with a majority of 126, Asquith is really in an 

 English minority of fourteen. All once more depends upon the King. 

 If he finds pluck enough to refuse to create 500 peers required to pass 

 the Veto Bill, he will carry general opinion with him. The country 

 cares too little about abolishing the House of Lords to make a revolu- 

 tion for it. Apart from Ireland's chance of Home Rule, which de- 

 pends upon it, I am personally with the Lords as against the Commons. 



" 26th Dec. — On the 23rd there was an account in the papers of the 

 capture of Kerak (Crac les Chevaliers), and this morning a letter has 

 come from Riza Tewfik relating the misdeeds of the party now in 

 power at Constantinople. I am inclined to think he exaggerates these, 

 as he is the leader of the Parliamentary opposition there, but what 

 seems certain is that the Turks have got into a mess in Arabia by trying 

 to coerce the Bedouin tribes. This is a folly I warned them against 

 long ago. 



" 31.^ Dec. — ' The year 1910 has been for me on the whole a happy 

 one.' Politically I still fight on and have accomplished much, but it 

 has been in what looks more and more a losing battle. I doubt if I 

 shall see the accomplishment of any of my dreams. The cause of 

 Eastern liberty is dark at present. In Persia it seems lost and in 

 Turkey to be in no little danger. Without the resuscitation of the 

 Ottoman Empire Egypt will remain in English hands till a stronger 

 robber comes. Still we must fight on, and I have done my best. What 

 will the New Year bring? I dare not prophesy." 



