CHALLENGE TO MINISTER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 70, Issue 119, 4 March 1950, Page 5

CHALLENGE TO MINISTER

DISAVOWAL OF COMMUNISM , ATTACK BY “EVENING STANDARD” ” “* (N ,Z.P. A.—Copy right) (Rec. 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, Feb. 3. Lord Beaverbrook’s “Evening Standard” to-day challenged the War Minister, Mr John Strachey, to say when he “disavowed his belief in Communism.” Replying to a statement issued from No. 10, Downing Street last night, the “Evening Standard,” in a frontpage story, said the “prolonged research” had failed to reveal any record of Mr Strachey’s disavowal. The official statement frorp No. 10 had denied the paper’s charge .that Mr Strachey “remains a Communist.” The “Evening Standard” declared to-day that Mi' Strachey still refused to make any stafement. It pointed out that it had not asserted that Mr Strachey had actually been a member of the Communist Party, and claimed that it had published its story yesterday as a matter of public interest.” In view of the gravity of the situation following the Fuchs case,” the “Evening Standard” said: “There is anxiety and disquiet in this country about the efficiency of our security arrangements. At this time there should be no grounds for misgivings whatsoever about the views and doctrine of the Minister in Charge of the War Office and M. 1.5.” *

Informal Talks Reuter says there were informal Ministerial talks to-day the “Evening Standard's” attack on Mr Strachey alleging that he faced a “crisis” over his past association with Communism. The attack caused great anger among Ministers, and questions about it are likely when the House of Commons meets next week. There is some anxiety about the possible effect of the incident ttpon American public opinion, which' is recognised as in a particularly sensitive condition on ' security questions. > Sir Percy Sillitoe, head of Britain’s M. 1.5 conferred with Mr Attlee at No. 10 Downing Street this afternoon. The Chancellor of the Exchequer,' Sir Stafford Cripps, was also present. Reports that the Prime • Minister. would order a probe of M. 1.5 have been current since Dr. Fuchs was sentenced this week to 14 years’ gaol for betraying atom secrets to Russia. Since the trial there has been a widespread demand, both in the United States and Britain, for a tightening up of British security.