CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

Taranaki Daily News, 3 December 1915, Page 5

CONDUCT OF THE WAR.

''JAUNDICED SHEETS." TIMES AND DAILY MAIL. ATTEMPT TO DEFEND THEMSELVES FURTHER CONDEMNED IN THE HOUSE. London, Dee. 1. in the House of Commons Mr. Ronald McNeill (Conservative), discussing Sir John Simon's statement, said they had heard no allusion to an article in the Nation saying it would (be better, to lose the war than to lose voluntary service. Mr. Hodge (Labor) said that 'while he did not think Lord Northcliffe was wicked because he belittled the country, it was unfortunate that the Times and Daily Mail articles had created a Tery uneasy feeling in France. Sir A. B. Markham said that the journalists at the Home Office had singled out the Daily Mail and the Times for unfair treatment, while the Daily Chronicle was allowed to go scot free. Lord Robert Cecil said it was a delusion to - imagine this was a case worked up iby gentlemen connected with another paper in order to injure the Times. Articles such as those referred to had a discouraging effect on our friends in the Balkans, tending to produce an impression that we are done for, that we are not in earnest, and that our workmen are idlers and drunkard).

Sir John Simon added: "We in England know the true value of thieße jauhdiced sheets, but they are a constant disappointment to our Allies and a cause of distrust in neutrals, while the Germans find in them their principal consolation. The Foreign Office has constantly 'brought these instances under the notice of the Home Office. Several members taunted the Government with being afraid to suppress the Times and Daily Mail because they were owned by a wealthy man. Mr. Dillon charged the Northcliffe press with trying to embroil Britain And America at the most critical period of the war. If the Daily Mail was shut down for a few weeks it would cool Lord Northcliffe considerably. The Times comments that Sir John Simons effort was merely another attempt to renew last week's attack, wiich failed so egregiously. If Ministers Would attack the Germans with half the energy they devote to the Tunes they would be a good deal nearer winning the war. The Daily Mail says that the Northcline press is attacked because it has criticised the Government's slackness and blunders in order to obtain more vigorous prosecution of the war. The Daily NeWa says that Lord Northcliffe, since the war began, has held U P ™ country to scorn, causing mischief in Allied and neutral countries ,\ n °^ r f° rcea - The Government should not trifle further, for the nation s peril must no longer be the Sport of an incendiary journalist.