SEVERE CENSURE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2633, 2 December 1915, Page 5

SEVERE CENSURE

NORTHCLJFFE PRESS METHODS PLAIN SPEAKING BY HOME SECRETARY "DANGER TO THE SAFETY OF THE COUNTRY" Br Telegranh—Press Association-Copyright (Reo. December 1, 9.25 p.m.) London, December 1. Speaking in tho House of Commons, Sir John ,'Simon (Home Secretary) referred to tho recent article in the "Russky Slowo" on the "Times's" and "Daily Mail's" attitude—this was a. statement from the Paris correspondent of the "Russky Slowo." "As,soon as I discovered that this was not a. statement of opinion held in Russia," said the Home Secretary, "I wrote an explanation to the 'Times.' Since then Lord Northcliffo's papers have made groundless charges against me, and have even suggested that that paragraph in tho 'Russky, Slowo' was inspired by the British Government, and made an insinuation against my honour and good faith. These charges are absolutely untrue." Sir John Simon continued: "Tho question is how far th(> Harmsworth Press, however : unintentionally, Has contributed to tho propaganda, of _ the enemy?" This could not be decided by a foreign correspondent, but it was a question of fact that tho "Daily Mail," on October 11, published a map headed 'Tlie Road to India," at tho moment when the Germans entered Belgrade. 'It was obvious what use German propaganda could make of such a mischievous instrument to influence Eastern opinion. "The Gorman newspapers," said the Home Secretary, "republishnd that map as a supplement which was distributed gratis amongst the neutral nations in the East by the

German Consul-Generals, and tho Germans added an .inscription: 'Britain's Empire in trembling fer-r of Germany.' It was printed in seven-languages. That map was not submitted to tlie Press Bureau and nothing could now bo dona to recall tlie damage."

Sir Jplm Simon next referred to Mr. Buchanan's dispatch on the battle of Loos, the "Times" had suggested that tho sentences in the dispatch whicli praised tho bravery of the Germans bad been excised. That was not true. In Spain, there was a certain number of pro-German papers which were regularly supplied with matter from Germany, and what was lamentable was that ninetenths of tho matter originally camo from Lord Northcliffe's papers.

"Why don't you suppress

A voice the. paper?". Sir John Simon: "I am going to deal with that in a momeni."' Was this continual fouling of our own nest cal : . culated to encourage our _ soldiers at the front? In connection with the London evening paper he had been asked if ho could not take a gentler way. What ho was now taking was the gentler way, and if it was not effective it would.be perfectly possible to take strenuous action. It was not a case in which they could take' a single instance and base upon that strong measures. It was a question of a tendencvj and therefore the more difficult to check and control. "I have no personal quarrel with Lord Northcliffe,"' said Sir John Simon. "I know him." Lord Northcliffe appeared to be like the prophots of Baal, who, in moments of oxcitercent had an odd habit of leaping upon the altars they had made. It was not too much to say that one of the greatest German assets was tho eucouragemcnt given to her people and the_ concern created in tho minds of our friends by the false picture which almost daily was presented to the world by a portion of our Press. They presented a caricature of a country deprived of the very material which gives strength. I do not make any imputations except those of recklessness and folly, . and failure to appreciate that what they aro doing has become a public danger." He thought ho had done his duty in bringing the matter fairly before the House. / No paper's services to the country could atono for.or excuse a course of conduct which he believed was threatening the "safety of the country.

Recently the "Daily Chronicle" republished ail article in the "Russky Slowo," which says: -"file newspapers lay a heavy responsibility on tlie Norfclicliffo Press for tlie failure of the diplomacy of the Entente Powers in the Balkans. 'After .'The Timcs's" and 'Daily Mail's' quarrel with the English Government;, Oiey systematfcafty began to blacken our military and diplomatic measures, and foretell tlie failure of the Allies. The Germans made wide use of this campaign for their own propaganda, in •' Greece, Rumania, and ' Bulgaria, and the Wolff's Agency disseminated Colonel Rcpingtons articles with a view to proving that the English recognise their deficiency in military organisation. The papers in Rumania, and Greece are filled With the "Daily Mail's" and Tnnes's' comments ( published at German expense." Sir John Simon, in reply to a request, read this- article in Parliament, and subsequently apologised for failing to notice that tho arfciclo was from the Paris correspondent of the paper. \