Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-11-04
LORDS DENOUNCE
CENSORSHIP AS
UNCALLED FOR
Pointed References Are Made
to Lack Of Ability Of Pre-
mier ASQuitb to Meet Situa-
ton Imposed by War;

IVY OWNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED WtREl
London Nov (9.10 y. MI Cabi-
net responsibility the conduct OF the
war and the censorship were dis
cussed criticized and defended at a
short sitting of the house Of lords this
evening.
Baron ST. Davids started the discus
sion by demanding that a fun meet
ing Of the privy council, which is
composed of some hundreds Of mem
bers from all parts of the empire,
should bee called to discuss present af-
fairs He said he believed the war
would have been better conducted by
the late liberal government than by
the present coalition. The late gov
eminent, ne said, carried on the war
with great vigor. while, since the
coalition was formed no extraordinary
vigor was noticeable He declared
that those who have made mistakes
should he "scrapped' and that here
after no man should be given office
merely because Of former service or
rank or wealth
Would Gust Asguith.
Lord Willoughby de Broke declared
that Premier Asquith should be held
responsible for all mistakes.
III Russia could get rid of Grand
Duke Nicholas in the middle of the
war, he said, England could get rid
of Asquith.
Viscount Morley, Of Blackburn, dep
recated the attacks on the premier
and pointed out that when he left the
cabinet he did not trouble the lords
with any reasons, which he considered
good practice especially when the
country is at war Speaking of the
censorship, he asked the government
to take steps to prevent official inter
ference with the publication Of intelli-
gence unless it was calculated to
prejudice military operations. The
freedom OF the press, he declared to
be as important as the greatest con-
stitutional issue
stupidity Of Censorship.
He agreed with Lord Selborne when
he spoke Of the stupidity of the CEN
sor's actions Everything which made
the enemy think the country was
afraid Of the truth was an encourage
ment to the enemy
Lord Morley deplored the effect on
neutrals of the "ostrich-llke activities
and childish inslnCerties" of the cen
sorships and added that he had never
seen government or an administra-
ton less in need of a censored press
than the present one. He said he had
never been addicted to undue glorlfi-
cation Of the mfallibility Of public
opinion but it was not half as fallible
as the opinion of monarchs and min
listers. even prime ministers. They
leaned on public opinion good or bad,
and how in the world were they to
lean on free, full. and correct public
opinion unless the public had free,
fun and correct Information as to the
facts on which that opinion rested.
II seems. he said, as though the CEN
sors had standing order to keep the
barometer nailed faist and set fair"
Premicr's Responsibility.
The Marquis Of CreWe. lord presi-
dent Of the council. who replied to
Lord ST. Davies and Baron Wflough-
by de Broke, pointed out the difficulty
Of calling together the privy council
and declared that Premier Asquith,
while he not be considered RESPONSE
bic. was responsl bic departmentally
and promised al the proper time the
government would not shirk inquiry
into the conduct OF the war.
Baron Rihblesdale pointed out that
Premier Asquith has assumed respon-