THE BILLING CASE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 222, 7 June 1918, Page 5

THE BILLING CASE

SHARP PRESS CRITICISMS

"CULMINATION OF COWARDLY

INTRIGUE"

London, June 5. Several newspapers sharply, criticise Mr. Justice Darling's weakness in dealing with the Peinberton Billing libel action, aud_ denounco tho accusations against politicians and others as a gross scandal.

The. "Daily 'News" says tho question ■ whether Maud Allan-; was libelled was. lost in a ni0.7,0 of: wild charges against everybody and anybody, • supported by ■ witnesses whose evidence ,'suggested a madhouse or comic opera. The real purpose J of Billing is the destruction of the reputations of public men wiio.have.:.,. served the nation with honour. Tho. trial - was the culmination of cowardly intrigue ~, and slander directed against Mr. As- ■ quith and his associates of throe years. Tho Right Hon. J. H. Thowas, M.P., •..; save that in view of tho sorioue consequinces' which may follow the trial, he protests that the' charges that: British . statesmen are corrupt and-traitors - are reckless assertions, entirely unsupport-- , ed by evidence, and may well have a disturbing effect on tho public—Aus.- v : N.Z. Cablo Aesn. ■ (Rec. June 6, 8.10 p.m.) • London, June '5. Tho provincial' Press continues to censure tho so-called , *: scandalous Billinc , trial. Tho "Westminster Gazette" Bays the trial was an.: outrageous; scandal, likely to damage our reputation for 6an-. ity and sobriety. Tho "Manchester Guardian" declares that tho publicity, '. givon to tho bespattering process ie monstrous. Other newspapers condemn Mr. -..' Justico Darling's handling of the case.., Tho Lancashire newspapers deplore- tho - admission of allegations uiiaormining.' ; public confidence, wbilo the vnles of evidence prevented such allegations being " refuted., ~„,;• In tho Houso of Commons Lord Robert Cecil, TJnder-Secrctary for Foreign Affairs, doniod that Spencer had been sent on a mission to Albania in 1913, as. Spencer,.... had assorted iii-the Billing cose. Spencer .. was in 1915 attached to the Adriatic Mis- / sion, and gave satisfaction—Ans.-N.Z _ Cablo Assn. ■ '