A final attempt to get proportional representation included in the
Franchise Bill was heavily defeated. In a dashing attempt to save it Sir
MARK SYKES declared that the old Eatanswill methods of electioneering
had gone for ever--"no mouth was large enough to kiss thirty thousand
babies." But the majority of the House seemed to be more impressed by
the self-sacrificing argument of that eminent temperance advocate, Sir
THOMAS WHITTAKER, who feared that "P.R." would lead to an increase in
"milk-and-water politicians."

* * * * *

ALWAYS SOMETHING NEW FROM AFRICA.

"A Belgian East African communiqué says that before the converging
advance of the Anglo-German Belgian columns, the enemy retired to
the south bank of the Kilimbero."--_Mombasa Times._

We seem to have met some of these Anglo-German columns in the Pacifist
Press.

"Our machines then bombed the General, in which the
German Head-quarters at Constantinople are reported to be
situated."--_Times._

The General must have been stout, even for a German.

"Not having regained consciousness the police are left with little
tangible evidence to work upon."--_Daily Telegraph._