SECRET SESSION

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2753, 24 April 1916, Page 5

SECRET SESSION

ORDER-IN-COUNCIL TO BE

ISSUED

A PENAL OFFENCE

TO PUBLISH THE FACTS

By TeTeeraph—Press Association—Copyright

London, April 21. 'An Orrlor-in-Coimcil is to be issued making it a penal offence to publish the facts disclosed at Tuesday's sittings of Parliament.

The I'ress Bureau states that tlie settlement reached at yesterday's Cab-' ir.et meeting meets the domands of the military situation, in addition to satisfying all sections represented in the [Government. The sole reason for tlio spcret session on Tuesday is that. Parliament will be confidentially informed of the main facts and figures' whereupon the decision of Cabinet was based.

COMPULSION BILL WITH A PROVISO

London, April 21. The newspapers generally approve the method of avoiding a crisis. Though they admit that a secret session is a step in the darkness, they point out that the method is well established on the Continent.

The "Daily Mail" states that it is reported that the Government has deoided to introduce the Compulsion Bill next week, with, a proviso not to put it into operation until special resolutions are passed by Parliament, which will be moved directly the yield of new recruits falls below.a certain total. The Government intends to use the ''guillotine" in the passage of the Bill, which will : thus be passed quickly. Tho "Daily News" says that tho dangers of a secret session are manifest. It is certain to give currency to the wildest rumours, but possibly there is no other way to secure Government' that authority without which our existence is imperilled. The "News" adds: "Mr. Lloyd George impressed on . Cabinet tho example of Lincoln's Enrolment Bill of 1863. Mr. Henderson's formula was finally adopted, but it does not differ in essentials from Mr. Lloyd George's policy." - MR. ASQUITH'S MAJORITY SAFE IF HE STICKS TO HIS GUNS ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, April 21. The "Westminster Gazette" says that Mr. Asquith is safe of a-majority in the House of Commons if be sticks to his guns, and takes a definite 6taud against the compulsion, of unattested married men, even if all the compulsionists leave the Cabinet. OPINION IN FRANCE (Rec. April 23, 5.5 p.m.) Paris,: April 22. The majority of Frenchmen -would hail the introduction of compulsion in Brii tain with intense satisfaction, believing, it to be the decisive factor in the Allies' triumph. i M. .Clemonceau says it must be intro. duced) immediately, as time is of su-. preme importance:' "" -M. Joseph' Reinaoh says compulsion will produce a deep impression in Germany. GERMAMISMNmr (Rec. April 23, 5.5 p.m.) Copenhagen, April 22. There is keen disappointment in Ger-many-at the news that the British orisis has ended, as it is regarded as evidence that British public men are firmly determined to prosecute the war. SCATHING OPEN LETTER ADDRESSED TO LLOYD GEORGE (Rec. April 23, 5.5 .p.m.) 1 London, April 22. Mr. Alfred G. Gardiner, editor of tho "Daily News," in a scathing open letter to Mr. Lloyd George, says: "Your friends have been silent over long, 'and have pretended not to have known many things, and have refused to • see your figuro flitting about behind the screens. They agreed to talk of Lord Northcliffc and Sir J. H. Dalziel, when in reality they meant Mr. Lloyd Goorge. They have done this because they 'remembered past associations,' and knew the strain upon an emotional mind like yours. But the time for concealment has passed. This week's crisis was the culmination of .your activities, and tho country has to choose between Mr. Asquith and yourself. Doubtless in tho heat of an over-wrought atmosphere, in your mind you honestly believe that you are ypurself the man of destiny. Mr. Churchill and Lord Nortlicliffo share this 'impression with you. Your brilliant success, fascinating though wayward superficial personality and casual uninstructed habit of mind encouraged the belief. But the democracy was only a vehiclo to you, nover a faith. Now you seek in ten months Napoleon's power. As you once 6aid to mo, you never understood trade unions. Mr. Asquith sought to carry Labour with him. You are impatient of the democracy, and have been seized with a sort of apocalyptic vision of yourself as the saviour of Europe. You were the chief cause of the fall of the Liberal Government and the establishment of the Coalition Government. Throughout you have been tho friend of Lord Northcliffe, and in close intimacy with some of. the Government's chief assailants. Tho country shall not choose between Mr. Asquith. and yourself in ignorance.!'