ALLEGED CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES TO THE CROWN PRINCE OF GERMANY.

MR. GLADSTONE

Sir, I cannot answer the Question without expressing my very deep regret that such matters as the personal communications between august persons nearly related in blood, and, of course, feeling that relationship the more closely from the painful and dreadful circumstances of the day, should become the subject of scrutiny in this House. I even venture to hope that there may be some caution exercised in the Press with regard to the printing of matters of that description, unless after the greatest care to ascertain the accuracy of what is printed. I know not whether I should make an appeal to my hon. Friend himself, if I say I am very sorry such a Question should be put in the House of Commons—which, indeed, I am. Still, my hon. Friend might reply that this statement has been published, and as it has been published, and may do mischief, it is well that an opportunity of contradiction should be be afforded. At the same time, there are limits to the doctrine which I sometimes see adopted by the Press—that any gentleman who is charged with something criminal and disgraceful ought to be very much obliged to those who print it, because it gives him an opportunity of contradicting it. I can only express a hope, with regard to those exalted personages who have not the same powers of self-defence that we employ, that great caution will be used in the publication of matters of this kind. When I saw this Question, I doubted whether the House would wish to have such a subject dragged within its sphere unnecessarily, and it was for some time a doubtful matter with me whether we ought to take cognizance of the Ques- 867 tion. However, upon the whole, as it would give me the opportunity of expressing a respectful, but very earnest tope that such things will not come up again, I thought I had better make a full answer to my hon. Friend. When I read the paragraph referred to, I had the fullest conviction that there was no foundation for the implication—rather than information—conveyed in it—namely, that anything had passed between Her Majesty, or between the other exalted personages mentioned, and any of those at the head of the German Army, of a nature in any degree to compromise the character of this country, or to go outside of what lies strictly within a neutral's duty; and upon making examination into the matter, I have not the slightest hesitation in saying I feel myself authorized to say that the inference or assertion, be it what it may, that congratulations have been conveyed, or any message or communication has been conveyed, of a nature to imply the taking of sides in this war—for that is the point of my hon. Friend's Question—is totally and absolutely void of foundation. Do not let it be supposed that in saying this I make any imputation upon anybody; I make none. There is a little game which is sometimes played when eight or ten people are sitting round a country fireside, and having nothing else to do. One sets the ball rolling by telling a little anecdote to the friend next him, and who keeps the game alive by narrating it to the next, who passes on the tale to his next friend, and so on until it has gone round the circle from one to another, and returned to the one who began the game, who then tells out aloud what he has just heard from his last neighbour, when it invariably falls out that the story in the process has lost all resemblance whatever to the form in which it was originally given; and I believe that is something like what has happened in this case. That Captain Hozier is a gentleman of discretion and ability I am confident; he was entrusted with the duty of conveying certain messages to persons in exalted situations; they, gratified by the kindly expressions of feeling they had received, communicated them to persons of their own rank, and they to others nearly as exalted; thence they filtered down to aides-decamp, then became the subject of conversation in the Army, and from that 868 source they were picked by Special Correspondents, anxious to cater for the English public, and well versed in that sort of innocent cookery which gives additional interest to statements of this kind. The message sent by Her Majesty requires to be no matter of secresy at all. It was simply to say everything kind to the Emperor, the Crown Prince, and the persons with whom she was related; everything kind, that is, from friend to friend, from relative to relative, with respect to their condition of health, after the trying scenes they had been going through, and with no regard whatever to the political interests of the war which has been carried on. I will not weary hon. Members by going more or less into details with regard to the other illustrious personages—the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge; but I will assure them, in the same way, of my entire conviction that there was not a word sent from them which could by possibility be supposed by any fair person to convey opinions upon the war. Indeed, I am not able to make out that anything was said relating to military matters in any way or form whatever. I am sure my hon. Friend will be as satisfied as anyone at receiving this answer; but I hope the matter will be duly weighed, and I trust we shall not be subjected to a repetition of such Questions.

ALLEGED CONGRATULATORY MESSAGES TO THE CROWN PRINCE OF GERMANY.—QUESTION.