The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1915.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLV, Issue 3982, 15 July 1915, Page 4

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, JULY 15, 1915.

The further sensational attacks on the

Home Government. by “The Times ” and the “ Daily

The Unfair Attacks cn the War Office.

Mail,” two of the three important daily journals of which Lord Nortlicliffo is the head, servo to recall the fierce protest which was provoked on all sides by their earlier attacks. With no uncertain voice the rest of the Home press, together with very many important societies, it may be mentioned, indicated that the people as a whole veiwed with utter disfavor the chronic abuse by the “Daily Mail” in particular of me privilege of criticism on war matters which the authorities have not seen fit to withdraw. At to how far “The Daily Mail” has gone in its comments on the present occasion it is impossible to gather from the meagre details to hand. But, on the previous occasion, it is quite evident that the criticism broke all reasonable bounds'. It was objectionable because it constituted a mean personal attack on Lord Kitchener, who it was known could only take a very extreme step d he wished to defend himself against further attacks. What is more it was still more objectionable in that the attack was used as a glaring means by which not only to create undue alarm but also to attract attention to the journal making the comments. How could the general public be expected to express satisfaction at, for instance, such a remark as the following;— “If, by any mischance. Lord Kitchener went to France to conduct the campaign, we should probably have a costly object-lesson in the difference between African and European warfare.” Or, again, ‘Nothing in Lord Kitchener’s ex perienco suggests that he has the qualifications required for conducting a European campaign in the field, and we can only liope that no such misfortune will befall tin’s nation as that lie should be permitted to interfere with the actual strategy of this gigantic war.” Such comment as the foregoing could only belittle our brave army and its leaders in the eyes of the enemy nations. It was regrettable also because it was inopportune, seeing that at the very moment the Hums wore doing their utmost to sway the neutral Balkan States on to their side. But Lord Northcliffe had to pay dearly for the indiscretion which “The Daily Mail” in particular committed as full advantage was taken by the rest ol the Home Press to subject him to a withering fire of criticism. Tliis for example is what “The Daily Chronicle” ‘ had to say and its criticism was typical of the comments of many other journals:— “If this country wore Russia, Germany, or Austria, the scurrilous and mendacious attack on Lord Kitchener which 'was made in the “Times” and “Daily Mail” would have had a swift sequel,” says the “Chronicle.” “Lord Northcliffe would have been taken out into a courtyard and shot within fortyeight hours. That is not a- conjecture, but a statement of fact. It it wero France of Italy, he would probably have been lynched within a shorter interval, and his premises * at Carmelite Street and Printing House Square would certainly have been gutted. “These are not examples for «ur countryjneut to follow, but they are illustrations to ponder. Wo are rightly proud in England of our greater freedom, and especially of the greater freedom which we allow to criticism. But nothing has become clearer than that the chronic abuse of it by the Northcliffe Press (the “Times,” the “Daily Mail,” and the “Evening News”) is a grave source of weakness and danger to tho nation in war-time.” ‘