NOTES FROM LONDON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144852, 2 December 1915, Page 3

NOTES FROM LONDON.

AIR. BONAR LAW. HOPEFUL FOR THE FUTURE. f» KT ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.—COPYRIGHT. (Received Dec. 2, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 1. Air, Bonar Law, speaking at the St. .Andrew’s Day banquet, said that though 'there might not be good news tor j months, and we might nave bad news, i yet ho was convinced that we were mov- , mg slowly and inexorably towards victory. The British in F/anders could give two shells for one,' and we had nothing to fear on tho west front. The silent pressure of the navy was tolling more on Germany every week. The ■ relations between the different parts of tho British Empire would never be the same again. The war would result in he welding of the Empire by unbreakable bonds. ‘ THE GERMAN NATION. REPLACED BY GENERAL STAFF. (Received Dee. 2, 9 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 1. Lord Haldane, in a speech at King’s College, said that for purposes of peace the German nation did not exist. Peace could not bo negotiated with tho General Staff, into whose hands the German democracy had let its power go. THE NORTHCLIFFE PRESS. STATEMENT BY HOAIE SECRETARY. LONDON, Nov. 30. In the House of Commons Sir John Simon referred to an article that appeared in tho Russky Slovo on tho attitude of The Times and Daily Alail. Ho said: “As soon as I discovered that it was not a statement of the op.nion held in Russia I wrote an explanation to The Times. Since then Cord Northclilfe’s papers have made groundless charges against me, and have oven suggested that the paragraph was inspired by the British Government,, and they made an insinuation against my honour and good faith. Those charges are absolutely untrue.” Sir John Simon continued; “Tho question is: How far is the Harmsworth press, however unintentionally, contributing to tho propaganda of the enemy? This could not have been decided by a foreign correspondent, but it is a question of fact. “The Daily Mail on October 11 published a map headed, ‘The Road to India,’ at tho moment when tho Germans had entered Belgrade. It is obvious what use the German propaganda could make of such a mischievous inttrument to influence Eastern opinion. “German newspapers i-cpnb!ished tho map as a supplement, which was distributed gratis to neutral nations in the East by the German Consul-Gen-eral. Th* Germans added the inscription, ‘Britain’s Empire in trembling fear of Germany,’ and it was printed in seven languages. “The map was not submitted to the Press Bureau, and nothing can now be done to recall the damage.” Sir John Simon next referred to Air. Buchan’s dispatch on the battle of Loos. The Times suggested that the sentences praising the bravery of the Germans had been excised. That was untrue. In Spain there are a certain number of pro-Gcnnnn papers that 'are regularly supplied witii matter from Germany, AA’lsat was lamentable . was that nine-tenths of the matter originally came from Lord Northcliffc’s papers. A voice; “Why don’t you suppress tho panel's?” Sir John Simon: “I am going to deal with that in a moment.” AYas this continual fouling of our own nest calculated to encourage our soTT • > at the front In connection witii a T.ondon evening paper, he had been asked if he could not take a gentler way. AVhat he was now taking was the gentler wav. and •if it was not elfm-ive it was perfectly possible to take a more strenuous action. It was not a ease wherein he conid take a single instance and base thereon strong measures: it war, a question of tendency, and was therefore mere difficult to cheek and control. He continued; “1 have no personal nnacrel with Wii Northeliffc. and don’t know him. l-ord NortVlill'e. to bo like tho prophets of Baal, who. in moments of, excitement, had an od.d habit of leaping on tho altars thw had made. It. is not too much to uv that one of the greatest German assets is tho encouragement given 'to h-w people and the concern created in tbc minds of our friends bv D-o

false picture almost daily presented to the world by a portion of our press. They have presented a caricature of the country deprived of the very militarism which gives it strength. I do not make imputations, except those of recklessness, folly, and failure to appreciate that what they have boon doing has become a public clanger. “I think I have done my duty in bringing the matter fairly before the House. No papers’ services can atone or excuse a course of conduct which I believe to he threatening the safety of the country.” FURTHER CONDEAINATIONS. IN THE HOUSE OF COAIAIONS. — h~ (Received Dec. 2, 8.-30 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 1. In the House of Commons Air. Ronald Al'Neill (Conservative), discussing Sir John Simon’s statement, sum tuey had heard no allusion to an article in the Nation saying it would bo bettor to lose the war tbau to lose voluntary service. -Mr. Hodge (Labour) said that while ho did not think Lord Nortbcliffo was wicked because ho belittled the country it was unfortunate that The Times and Daily Alail articles had created a very uneasy feeling in France. Sir A. B. Alarkham (Liberal) said that the journalists at the Home Of Fire had singled out the Daily Alail and Tho Times for unfair treatment, while the Daily Chronicle was allowed to go scot free. Lord Robert Cecil (Conservative) said it was a delusion to imagine this was a case worked up by gentlemen connected with another paper in order to injure The Times. Articles such as those referred to had a discouraging effect on onr friends in the Balkans, tending to produce an impression that wo are done for, that we are not in (earnest and that our workmen are idlers and drunkards. Sir John Simon added: “We in England kms; the true value of these jaundiced sheets, hut they arc a constant di.‘#npointnient to our Allies and <x cause of distrust to neutrals, while the Germans find in them their principal consolation. The Foreign Office ys constantly brought these influences under the notice of the Homo Office. . Several members taunted the Government with lining afraid to suppress The Times and Daily Afa.il because they were owned by a wealthy man. Air. Dillon charged the Northeliffc press with trying to embroil Britain and America at the most critical period of the war. If the Daily Mail was shut down for a fen- weeks it would cool I/Ord Nortbcliffo considerably. TIMES AND DAILY AfATL. DEFEND THEIR. POSITION. (Received Dec. 2. 9.30 a.m.) LONDON. Dec. 1. The Times comments that Sir John Simon’s effort was merely another attempt to renew last Aveek’s attack, whicn failed so egregiously. H Alini-s----ters would attack tho Germans with half the energy they devote to Tho Times they would be a good deal nearer winning tho wai. The Daily Alail says that the Northcliffe press is attacked because it has criticised the. Government’s slackness and blunders in order to obtain more vigorous prosecution of the war. The Daily News says that Lord Nortbcliffo, since tho war began, has ■held up tho country to scorn, causing mischief in Allied and neutral countries and in our forces. 'The Government should not trifle farther, for tho nation’s peril must not longer bo tho sport of an incendiary journalist. THE FRENCH LOAN. LONDON, Nov. 30. The subscription for tho French loan is attracting much attention on the Stock Exchange, and its favourable terms are affecting all gilt-edged securities. Consols have dropped to and 59 on this account, and some are taking profit. The French loan is open till December 15, and is delaying impending colonial issues. BADGE FOR DISCHARGED MEN. TIMES Akn BYnNF.Y SUN BF.RVICES. (Received Dec. 2, 8 a.m.) LONDON,’Doc. 1. The Press Bureau states that it has been decided that khaki armlets be issued to non-coms, and men of tlio regulars and territorials who have boon medically discharged from tho army since tho commencement of the war. CHRISTMAS FOR OUR MEN. (Received Dec. 2. 9 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. I. The New , Zealand, AVar Contingent Association is arranging Christmas entertainments at Epsom and Weymouth.

ANOTHER MINERS’ STRIKE. TIMES AND SYDNEY SON SERVICES. (Received Dec. 2, 8 a.m.) LONDON, Dec. 1. Five thousand miners at Rhondda have struck at the employment of nonunionists. THE CAMPAIGN IN PERSIA. IMPORT OF ARMS FROM GERMANY. (Received Doc. 2, 9 a.m.) PETROGRAD, Doc. t. The Novoo Vrcmya’s Titlis correspondent says that the Germans have transported ' a huge quantity of bombs, .Maxims, rifles and oilier military supplies from Teheran to Ispahan and Hamadan. Members of the Government palpably sympathise with the foes of the Entente and the Shah is powerless.