New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-04
ATTACK ASQUl1H
FOR WAR FAILURE
AT TL0RDS' SITTING
St. Davids and De Broke
Blame Cabinet for
All Mistakes.

London, Nov. 3.-Cabinet RESPONSE
bility, the conduct of the war and the
censorship were criticised and defended
at a short sitting of the House OF Lords
this evening The session proved
somewhat tame affair after the great
debate in the House Of Commons yes
terday.
Lord St. Davids, who has gained
reputation for outspokcnness since ne
became member OF the upper cham
Der, started the discussion By demand
ing that a full meeting of the frlvy
Council. composed of some hundreds OF
members from all parts OF the empire,
should be called to discuss the present
situation.
Unlike most Of the critics of the gov
ernment, Lord st. Davids believed that
the war would have been better con-
Quoted by the late Liberal government
than by the present coalition. The late
government, he said. carried on the war
with great vigor, while, since the coali-
ton was formed, no extraordinary vigor
was noticeable. He declared that those
who have made mistakes should be
"scrapped," and that hereafter no man
should be given office merely because OF
former services, rank or wealth: -
Lord Willoughby de Broke declared
that Premier Asquith should be held
responsible for all mistakes. II Russia
could get rid of Grand Duke Nicholas
in the middle Of the war; he SAID,
england could get rid Of Assquith.'
Viscount Morley, OF Blackburn, dep,
recated the attacks on the Premier ana
pointed out that when he left the OaDi-
net he did not trouble the LORDS Win
anv reasons, which he considered
good practice, especiaily wheh .ne
country was at war. Speaking OF the
censorship, he asked the government 10
take steps to prevent official interfer-
ence with the publication OF inte!ii-
oence unless it was calculated to prelu-
dice military and naval operstlons.
The freedom of the press Lord MOT
Low declared to be as important as tne
greatest constitutional issue, ana ne
agreed with Lord Selborne when ne
smoke of the stupidity Of the censors
actions. Everything which made the
enemy think the country was afraid OF
the truth was an encouragement TO the
enemy.
Lord Morley deplored the effect on
neutrals of "the ostrich-like activities
and childish insincerities" OF the CEN
sorsh.p. and added that he had never
seen a government or an admlnlstra-
tion less in need of censored press
than the present one. He had never
been addicted to undue glorlhcatlon
of the infallibility Of public opinion
Dut il was not half as fallIble as the
opinion of monarchs and ministers,
even prime ministers. they leaned on
public opinion, good or bad, and now
in the world, he asked, were they, TO
lean on free, full and correct puoIG
oninion unless the public had free. full
and correct information as TO the facts
on which that opinion rested?
II seems, Lord Morley said, as though
the ceusors had standing order 10
"keep the barometer nailed fast AZ
set fair"
The Marquis Of Crewe, Lord Presi-
cent OF the Council, who replied 10
Lord St. Davids and Lord Wll!oughoy
de Broke, pointed out the difficulty OF
calling together the Privy Council and
declared that Premier Asquith, while
he MIGHT be considered responsible,
was not responsible departmentally,
and promised that at the proper time
the government would not shirk in
ouiry into the conduct of the war.
Baron Ribblesdale pointed out that
Premier Asquith had assumed re,
sponsibility for "the past, present ana
future" and could not see what more
was wanted.
The Lord Chancellor, replying to
Lord Morley, said he believed that a
strict and vigorous censorship was re.
ouired for the safety and protection OF
the troops. The censorship WAS de-
signed to prevent imprudent war cables
from being sent abroad and TO prevent
home newspapers from printing any
thing that might be Of use to ;he en-
envy.
Because of lack Of experience. the
early history Of the Press Bureau, the
Lord Chancellor said, was deplorab!e,
ard its actions we're often unjust ana
unreasonable, but never intentionally
unfair. The statement that the Lon
don editors were dissatisfied with the
press Bureau as il existed to-day was
absolutely contradicted by the facts.
In his experience bad news was never
ken, back. but he did object TO cables
which disseminated German lies
passing through the country. =,
After Viscount Bryce had pleaded
for fuller and speedier recognition OF
the gallantry of the troops the debate
,,as adjourned until Monday.