THE NORTHCLIFFE INTERVIEW

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 306, 20 September 1921, Page 7

THE NORTHCLIFFE INTERVIEW

POME LIGHT ON THE MYSTERY. The puzzle of the famous interview in New York, in which Lord Northoliffo was represented as saying* that the King told Mr. Lloyd Georgo he must stop killing Irishmen, is exp!(>ied by the New York "World" of July 31. It appears that on the preceding Sunday n Now York "Times” reporter sought an interview with Lord Northoliffo on tnn Ih-ish situation. Mr. Wickham Stood telephoned a request to Lord Northcliffe. who was playing golf at New Rochelle. Tho latter replied: “You know my mind. Steed; give tho gentleman my views and look over • his article.” This was done, and then the interviewer, in a chat supposedly not for publication, asked Ma-. Wickham Steed for in amplification of the views ho had expressed. Mr. Steed, desirous of giving the interviewer a background to enable him belter to understand the situation, told him of tho great forward impetus towards a settlement given by tho King’s Belfast speech. Mr. Wickham Steed, the "World” adds, referred to the King's great desire for peace, and said something like this; "His Majesty was most earnest in his wish for some definite move towards a settlement of the grave Irish question, lie probably had in his mind a feeling for those involved —somothingl like this: 'Now see here, you chaps, you must do something. You cannot shoot all the people in Ireland. We cannot have our jieopio killed like this. You must be ,on to your jobs and accomplish something.’ ” It will bo seen from this quotation, the "World” adds, which was given for the oake of atmosphere, that Sir. Wickham Steed did not quote the King as actually using these words, but merely said that tho King might have had in his mind tho sentiments they represent. Tho interviewer, in error, believed them to be an actual quotation, anil incorporated them into his article, which was cabled to England the next stay. There the blundor was heightened when’ it was declared that Lord Northcliffe, and not Mr. Wickham Steed, had given tho interview.