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Hokitika Guardian, 3 August 1921, Page 2

Loan NoRTirt't.TFFK appears to have received a sharp lesson in sensational journalism as it can be practised in j America. The facts of the ease are not Hear as vet. hut it seems a subject

, for remark that any repudiation of the alleged interview on the part of Lord

Nortlieliffe and his influential press has

been rather belated. Tt may be as- | sinned that the British authorities acted only when the objectionable stateaments appeared in tin* English press. (Thereupon the British Embassy reception to Lull Nortlieliffe was cancelled I There was no suggestion of repudiation 'at this stage. On the contrary, who- ! tlier inspired or not. a section of the | American press made a violent attack on Lord Curzon calculated at once to [discount the British nuina in India

That was of course a verv mischievous

act. Still there was no repudiation. .This was not forthcoming till the King intervened and Mr Lloyd George duirp.ly criticised the position. Then and then only was Lord Northcliflo moved to attempt the amende honorable. Meantime' the NwrtlieliflV press now j state they had discerned the incredibility of thg statements attributed to j Lord Northcliflo, and some of them l had with-held publication, but those J which published the statement offered no excuse, explanation or apology. One of the boasts of tin* Nortlieliffe press is j the splendid organisation it enjoys, j Linked as it is with private telephones 'and telegraph, it was an easy matter ! for the editor discerning the incredible side of the story to have warned liis * co-editors in Manchester and Paris, but lie does not appear to have done so. Altogether the Nortlieliffe press stands jVery discredited over the whole business and Lord Nortlieliffe himself will do well to review the position in a persoj nal way to see exactly how lu* stands with his millions gif daily readers. i '

It is really very depressing after the evidence of good faith which subsisted ; between England and France during the {war period, to find on so many occasions since, that there are so many in France ready to think ill of Engbind’s attitude on any and all occasions when the French views are not perfectly in accord with the British. Probably the distrust is attributable to the volatile political atmosphere of France, which has been as disturbed j a.'s ever 'since war time’s. However .though there are signs of friction at times, better counsels prevail in the end and accord is restored. But this straining of good feeling is not con-

ducive to the permanent value the entente cordiale which meant so much to both nations when a common foe had to be faced. It. is conceivable that British statesman will rather tire of cajoling excitable French statesmen, and while maintaining friendly relations, will seek for more intimate friendship elscwhery. The English speaking races are looking across the Atlantic Ocean just now with a good deal of hope, and the course of events [suggest that there is rather intimate 'mutual understanding between the leading statesmen of Britain and the United States. Tim American attitude it is conceivable was conducive to a friendly understanding between Britain and Franco over the Silesian question, and now the United States is holding out the olive branch to Britain over Pan- 1 am a affairs. Tin’s is the position most

to be desired and gives hope of a most satisfactory outcome to the disarmament discussion shortly to take place in the United States. The French attitude will stand in need of revision if it is to enjoy the full and complete confidence Britain will be disposed to give to a stable political stand on the part of France in all .matters of mutual interest and concern.