The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-11-16
LORD kORTHCLIFFE
REFUSES SNEWPOST
Tells Premier Lloyd George Why
He Refuses to Accept
Air Ministry.
WOULD GUST some OFFICIALS
Declares Britain Blinds Self in War
Policy-Warns U. S. Will Take
Leadership Unless Changes
Are Made.

London, Nov. 16.-Lord Northcliffe
has declined proffer Of the admin
tstration of tie new air ministry made
to him by Premier Lloyd George
In a long letter to the premier Lord
NOrthcliffe explains that his refusal of
the portfolio is due to dissatisfaction
with some of the methods of Mr..
Lloyd-GeOrge administration, espe-
cially with regard to relations with the
United States, and says that Lord
Northcliffe's desire, therefore, is to
maintain an independent attitude.
Why Publisher Refused.
Lord NOrthcliffe's letter to Premier
Lloyd-George, from the London office
= of the British mission to the United
States, was as follows:
Dear Prime Minister: have given
anxious consideration to your repeated
invitations that l should take charge
OF the new air ministry. The reasons
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, / find that while
these two countries are proceeding
with a fervor and enthusiasm little
understood on this side of the Allan
tic: while the United States instantly
put into operation conscription over
which We wabbled for two years and
Is making short work of seditiOn mon
gers; while Canada already has given
such proofs of thoroughness as the
dis1ranchisement of conscientious OBJ
3ectorS and the decentralization of all
enemy aliens naturalized within the
last fifteen years. while we, for our
part, are asking immense sacrifices
from these peoples, there still are in
Office here those who daily with such
urgent questions as that of unity of
war control, eradication of sedition,
mobilization of the whole man and
woman power of the country and the
Introduction of compulsory food ra-
ions Spoiled Reading Mission.
II had personal experience while in
America of the obstruction and delay
In certain departments In London,
which, for example, postponed sending
Lord Readings vital and most sue
cessful mission.
II find the censorship still being mis-
used and that men in various posi-
tions of authority who should have
been punished have been retained and
In some cases elevated. The spirit of
the men and women of Great Britain
is clearly as eager and splendid as
ever.
II feel in the present circumstances
can do better work if l maintain my
independence and am not gagged by a
loyalty that do not feel towards the
whole of your administration.
"May Lose American Aid"
MAY / also take this opportunity
of giving warning about our relations
with that great people from whom /
come. We have had the tragedy Of
Russia, due partly TO lack of allied
propaganda to counteract that of the
Italy, largely due to that sa.ne enemy
propaganda. We have had the TRACE
dies of Serbia. Rouman and Monte
negro. There is on iy hich |
am sure we shall hat is
the tragedy OF th
'But from counIi,.s IN erSations
with leading Americans, | know that
unless there is swift Improvement in
our methods here, the United States
will rightly take INTO It's own hands
the entire management Of Il great part
of the war. 1t will not sacrifice it's
blood and treasure to the incompetent
handling of the affairs of Europe.
''In saying all this | have none but
the most friendly feeling toward your
self and am greatly honored by your
suggestion