LIBELLING LORD KITCHENER

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11950, 26 April 1902, Page 5

LIBELLING LORD KITCHENER

AN EDITOR'S SENTENCE. DEBATE IN THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. (Received April 26, 12.36 a.m.) London, April 25. In the House of Commons Mr. John Morley moved the adjournment with the view of protesting against the detention of Mr. Albert Cartwright, editor of the South African News, who in April last was sentenced to a year's imprisonment for libelling Lord Kitchener. Mr. Brodrick stated that the sentence expired on Tuesday. Communications were proceeding regarding the acceptance of an undertaking on the part of Mr. Cartwright before he comes to England. Mr. Cartwright was guilty of one of the greatest crimes from a journalistic standpoint. Lord Kitchener, under martial law, was entitled to provisionally assign him a place of residence. It was hjs duty to take every precaution, especially now, in order to prevent anything tending to the prolongation of the war. ; The debate on the motion was the most impassioned of the session. Sir W. V. Harcourt, Mr. Asquith, Mr. Churchill, and Mr. Bryce assailed the Government. * Mr. Balfour emphasised the Empire's trust reposed in Lord Kitchener. * ■ '■■ • A division was taken and the Government secured a majority of 77. The minority, numbering 182, included Mr. Churchill, Mr. Gibson Bowles, and seven other Unionists.

_ Cartwiight, it will bo remembered, published what purported to bo an order from Lord Kitchener to Ilia generals not to take Boer prisoners or to give the enemy quarter. The paper which lie conducted was a notoriously seditious organ of tho Bond.