Evening star., 1923-03-04

humously printed correspondence of
every vestige of sting, Will be
somewhat lacking from the 'remi-
men by George Harvey.
No matter how much he may eulo-
gize King George himself. the latter
may be tempted to offer him the
same advice as that given by Charles g
III to Gregorio Lett, the well known
Italian historian. who wrote So IN
terestingly and entertainingly about
England, where he spent twenty
years Of his life.
II hear you are writing history
of my court" ouoth the merry mon
arch. "Take care that in your work
you give no offense."
'I will do what | can. sire" replied
Lett. But If man were as wise
as Solomon he would scarce be able
to avoid giving some offense."
why, then" rejoined King Charles.
''be as wise as Solomon-write prov
erbs. not "reminiscences"
1t Is curious that the same week
which has brought us the promise of
ambassadorial "Reminiscences" from
George Harvey has also been signal
lied by the publication in the London
Times of the first series of Winston
Spencer Churchilrs Experiences as
first lord Of the admiralty during the
support Of his statements. the publi-
cation of which Premier BonaT Law
felt himself obliged to condemn in
the house Of commons the other day.
Pressed for an answer by the Rt. Hon.
Sir Frederick Banbury, member for
the city of London, as to whether the
publication in a book or newspaper
by fromeT cabinet minister of any
information of a confidential kind,
gained by him while in office. consti-
tuted a breach of his oath as privy
| councillor. the prime minister was
constrained to reply that he CON
| sidered it to be a violation of tho
time e-honored and ancient oath '.to
keep the kings counsel secret" Sir
Frederick Banbury made it perfectly
clear that his question was aimed at
, Winston Spencer Churchill and
! against ex-Premier David Lloyd
| George. He also inquired, but with
out receiving any reply. whether these
| rendered the offending former minis
ters liable to prosecution under the
| official secrets act"
X * =
The fact Of the matter is that the
| carelessly drawn that when, in 1906.
| the government wished to make use
| thereof, to impose a long term of
penal servitude on a navy department
| Official caught red-handed in selling
| to a foreign power plans Of the elab-
! crate secret defenses Of Gibraltar, it
| was found impracticable to sentence
him for anything worse than petty
larceny It was the unsuccessful at
| tempt to amend and extend the scope
Of this unsatisfactory official secrets
| act of 1889 that led to the debate in
| the house Of lords in 1908 in which
the discretion of the former govern
ment ohicials Of the United States was
| extolled.
1t is known that the amendments
were drawn uD BY Lord Esher at the
instance Of King Edward They con-
| tained clauses prohibiting the publ
| cation OF all kinds of documents. and
information of confidential gov
eminent or to it's chief dignitaries
and. in particular. communications
! to and from the reigning sovereign
| and his predecessor. The amendments
| went further. For they provided that
Iif a court Of summary jurisdiction
Vas satisfied by information or oath
that there was reason for suspecting
| the presence in any premises of Gocu
n1ents or correspondence, the publica-
| tion of which would be prejudicial
| TO tho crown, to the government or
] to the foreign relations Of the latter,
a search warrant and authorization
i for the seizure and confiscation
| should be granted and enforced. IT
seems that Edward VII has been OK
l tremely put out and embarrassed by
! tho indiDoyeGt revelations contained