Newspaper Wars

New Zealand Tablet, 15 October 1908, Page 9

Newspaper Wars

Formerly kings made war. Then Parliaments determined the question of international blood-letting, and finally the newspaper press began ,to usurp. this function. The era of the newspaper-made war began during the whirl of the Anglo-Russian crisis over the Holy Places in Palestine. Bright's \oice rang out for war. Parliament was perplexed The Ministerial mind swung as a pendulum between peace and strife. It was the Times that cast the die. It declared for war. The Ministry accepted the omen. And has not. Kinglake told in polished phrase the blundering sequel of the Crimean War? Since that time newspapers have exercised full many a time, - with happy-go-lucky nonchalance, their supposed right and privilege of fanning an international ' situation ' into a ' difficulty,' a * difficulty ' into a 'crisis, 1 and a crisis into a war. During the past • weeksundry journalists were busy —from the safety of their easychairs —' scaring up ' the war fever in the Balkans —rousing popular passion to the point where it takes control of reason and prudence and at times forces even the steadiest Ministries off their /feet." Their action gives a fresh point to the counsel given by Mr. Labouchcre during the journalistic ferment that ended in the. South,, African war. He recommended the precautionary hanging of a few batches of editors during every international crisis. This, he maintained, would serve to keep the national head cool, keep down the \y.ar-clamor, and give counsels of peace a chance^of a hearing.