MORE ENERGY DEMANDED.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 January 1918, Page 5

MORE ENERGY DEMANDED.

NORTHCLIFFE AND THE WAR. REASON' FOR DECLINING OFFICE. ' In declining the portfolio of the new air Ministry, Lord Northcliffe wrote a long letter to the Prime Minister. He explained that his refusal of the portfolio was due to dissatisfaction with some of the methods of Mr. Lloyd George's administration, especially with regard to relations with the United States. "I have given anxious consideration to your repeated invitation that I should take charge of the new Air Ministry," Lord Northcliffc wrote. "The reasons which impelled me to decline that great honor and responsibility are in no way concerned with the office, which is rightly to be set up. They are roughly as follows: — "Returning after five months spent in the virile atmosphere of the United States and Canada, I find that while these two countries are proceeding with their war preparations with a fervor and enthusiasm little understood on this side of the Atlantic; while the United States instantly put into operation conscription, over which we wobbled for two years, and is making short work of sedi-tion-mongers; while Canada already lias given such proofs of thoroughness as the disfranchisement of conscientious objectors and the denaturalisation of all enemy aliens naturalised within the last 15 years; while we. for our part, are asking immense sacrifices from these peoples, there are still in 'office here those who dally with such urgent questions, as that of unity of war control, eradication of sedition, mobilisation of the whole man and woman power of the country and the introduction of compulsory food rations. "I had personal experience while in America of the obstruction and delay in certain departments in London which, for example, postponed sending Lord Reading's vital and most successful mission. T find the censorship still being misused and that men in various positions of authorty who should have been punished have heeen retained and in some cases elevated. The spirit of the men and women of Great Britain is clearly as eager and splendid as ever. We have, in my belief, the most efficient army in the world le# by one of the greatest generals, anil.l am well aware of the fine achievements of many others of our soldiers, sailors, and statesmen, but I feel in the present circumstances I can do better work if I maintain my independence and am not gagged by loyalty that I do r.ot feel toward the whole of your administration. "I take this opportunity of thanking you and the War Cabinet for the handsome ines=ag" of tiraise sent tn tno as .representing the 500 officials of the BriJtish, war mission to the United States,

many of them volunteers and exiles. Their achievements and those of tlielr 10,000 assistants deserve to do better known lv v their countrymen. Tile fact Unit their work is not known is due to the absurd secrecy about the will' which still is prevalent. Everything these oilieials are doing is known to our American friends and, of course, to the Hermans. ' I trust 1 make no breach of confidence in s.iying that some of the documents which have passed through my hands as head of the mission are such as, if published, would greatly increase our prestige in the United States and hearten our people at home, "May I also take this opportunity of giving warning ahout our relations with that great, people from whom I come. •We have had the tragedy of Russia, due partly to lack of allied propaganda to counteract that of the Germans. We have had the tragedy of Italy, largely due to that same enemy propaganda. We have had the tragedies of Servia, Rouniania. and Montenegro. There ih one tragedy which ] am sure we shall not have, and that is the tragedy of the United States. "Rut froni the countless conversations villi leading Americans 1 know that unless there is swift improvement in our methodi here the United States will rightly take inlo its own hands the entire management of part of the war. It will not sacrifice its blood and treasure to the incompetent handling of the affairs of Europe. ''ln saying all this, which is very much on my mind, believe me, T have none but t ,r " most friendly feeling toward yourself, and that I am g-, honored by ; suggestion,"