MRS. ASQUITH'S LIBEL SUIT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2651, 23 December 1915, Page 5

MRS. ASQUITH'S LIBEL SUIT

i AN INJUNCTION GRANTED 8y Telegraph—Press Aasociation-Oopyrlghi London, December 21. An. injunction has been granted against the "Globe" in tlie Asquith case. Tho suit, which was opened last week before Mt. Justice Peterson, in the Chancery Division, seeks to restrain the "Globe" newspaper from publishing libels accusing Mrs. A'squith, wife of the l'rime. Minister, of lack of loyalty in associating with German prisoners at Donnington Hall, and describing her as a traitor and a disgrace to her sex. Tho Court was crowded. Mrs. As-' quith was present with Anthony, her daughter, and Lady Diana Manners. Mr. H. E. Duke. K.C., said that the "Weekly London Mail," last May, accused! Mrs. Asquith of. playing tennis with German officers at Donnington, and, though it apologised and paid dam- . ages, tho slanders continued, until the "Globe," on November 29, published a letter accusing the wife of a. Cabinet Minister of sending a large and choice . selection of comestibles, purchased in Piccadilly, to Hun prisoners. Another • letter said that ,if Mr. Asquith handed his salary to his wife as pin-money, ' the public had! po_ right to .complain. if- she used money, as asserted. ' The defendants expressed unqualified regret, and submitted to an injunction pending a libel' action; Mr. Justice'Peterson remarked that the "Globe's" statements were absolutely without foundation. OCCULT GERMAN"INFLUENCE A SENSATIONAL STATEMENT London, December 21. ~ln the House of Lords, Lord Parmoor ■stated that tho Danish agreement was contrary to International Law. The Government was unnecessarily sacrificing our belligerent rights. Lord' Milner declared that the reasons for not publishing the Danish agreement , were not convincing, and revived doubts . whether tho Declaration of London'was not still alive.' The man in the street persisted in a belief' in tho existence of some occult German influence in the very heart of our administration. Lord Crewe said that if Britain could absolutely besiege Germany, and.really starve the country, wo would do so at the earliest moment. Lord Milner's innuendo as to German influence was a monstrous calumny. Lord Portsmouth _ withdrew his motion for the production of the papers.