IN THE LORDS

Evening Post, Volume XC, Issue 110, 5 November 1915, Page 7

IN THE LORDS

WAR QUESTIONS DISCUSSED

CENSORING OF NEWS CON-

DEMNED

LONDON, 4th November. Lord Morley, in the House of Lords, asked whether the Government would prevent the censor from interfering^vith news unless it was such as would be calculated to prejudice the naval and military operations. He deplored the effect which was being produced upon neutral countries by ostrichlike activities and childish insincerities of the censorslip. The provocation which was being caused by this interference with the publication of news was universal. Everything which made the enemy think we were afraid encouraged him. ~ He referred to the Walcheren expedition of 1809, and the subsequent Committee of Enquiry. If the Dardanelles became as unfortunate he believed that Parliament would not hesitate to ask for papers, and take other steps. The Lord Chancellor said that a strict and vigorous censorship was required'for the safety tfnd protection of the troops. The world at the present moment was as a whispering gallery. Lord Crewe, replying on behalf of the Government, pointed out the difficulties of calling the Privy Council together. If they desired a full enquiry into the Dardanelles campaign and other features of the war, when the proper time came we would not shrink from it. ■ •

Lord Willoughby de Broke asked whether any treaty between Bulgaria and Germany had been made last March Lord C'rewe replied: "We have very strong reason to believe that such a treaty exists, although we are not in possession of its actual terms."

[An abortive expedition despatched by England to the Island of Walcheren in 1809 had for its object the capture of -Antwerp and the destruction of the French fleet in the Scheldt. The expedition captured Flushing, but had no further success, and was withdrawn within the year, the major portion of the force having been incapacitated by fever.]