THE LONDON “TIMES”

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 253, 20 July 1921, Page 5

THE LONDON “TIMES”

WITHDRAWAL OF FACILITIES FOR INQUIRIES EXPLANATION BY MR. LLOYD GEORGE By Telegraph—Press Association —Copyright (Rec. July 19, 10.80 p.m.) London, July JB. In the House of Commons Mr. Lloyd George, replying to questions regarding the withdrawal of Foreign Office facilities from “The Times,” said that in view of the peculiarly offensivo attack on Lord Curzon special facilities for inquiries had been withdrawn, but official news was still available to “Tho Times” through the ordinary news agencies. Such an attack at such a moment seemed to fall below the normal standard of British journalism. For years past facilities had been given the representatives of newspapers to visit Government offices end make inquiries. “Tho Times" took full advantage of this privilege, but courtesy should beget courtesy. Tho fact that "The Times” had pursued a virulent attack on the Government, and notably on the head of the Government, had not in the least influenced the Government Departments in offering facilities to "The Times” representatives. He (Mr. Lloyd George) had never personally made a single effort to induce tho withdrawal of a single facility from "Tho Times" or its syndicated papers, but "The Times” on Wednesday last had published an offensive and mischievous attack on Lord Curzon, with special reference to ths momentous negotiations in which he was engaged concerning not only the British Government but representatives of tho Dominions and India. He passed by the question of taste, but it was difficult to overlook nn attack creating a personal prejudice in foreign countries against a public servant of high repute charged with responsible negotiations on behalf of the British Empire. No reputable journal of any party would have published such an attack, which was entirely unprecedented. The Prime Minister added:'“'The Times’ is still supposed to represent both the educated and official opinion in this country, but the real facts are onlv gradually becoming known abroad. Therefore it is essential that tho Government should mark strongly its disapproval of tho attack on Lord Curzon, and therefore the special favours accorded 'Tho Times’ by tradition in the past will lie entirely ' withdrawn." —Aus.-N.Z. Cable As«n. TA message published on Friday last said: The "Daily Nows" understands that as a result of a leader in Wednesday’s “Timos" alleging personal disanal ideations in the case of Mr. Lloyd George and Lord Curzon as representatives of Britain at the Washington confcrenco. both tho Foreign Office and the Prime Minister’s secretory have broken off relations with all tho Northoliffe pnnors, refusing to give those papers any information.]