59. Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTasked the Prime Minister whether the lettter from Headquarters in France making representations with regard to the effect of the circulation of the "Nation" newspaper among the soldiers was from the Commander-in-Chief personally or from some of the Department at headquarters; whether the Commander-in-Chief had personal cognisance of it; and what was its date?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Mr. Macpherson)It was not signed by the Commander-in-Chief personally, but emanated from the branch of his Staff charged with conveying his views on such subjects. It was dated 12th of March. It is not known whether the Commander-in-Chief had personal cognisance of it.
Mr. SCOTTMay I ask whether in this letter reference is made to any other newspaper, and whether any action was taken by the Government with regard to other newspapers mentioned in that letter?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think my hon. Friend must give me notice of that.
§ Mr. HOGGECan the hon. Gentleman say whether this letter, which is not signed by Sir Douglas Haig, called for the prohibition of the foreign circulation of the "Nation"?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI do not think I had better quote it.
§ Mr. PRINGLEWill my hon. Friend correct the answer he has already given, and make it in accordance with the facts?
§ 64. Mr. PRINGLEasked the Prime Minister whether his attention has been directed to the message of the "Times" correspondent in Washington, dated 22nd April, published in the "Times" of 24th instant; and whether, in view of his statement regarding American opinion the suppression of the foreign circulation of the "Nation" will now cease?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONMy attention has not been called specially to these statements by the New York correspondent of the "Times," but I would refer the hon. Member to the decision announced on the subject by my Noble Friend the Secretary of State in another place, on the 24th April.
§ Mr. PRINGLEMay I say that I put this question down to the Prime Minister, because I regarded it not as a Departmental matter, but as a question concerning the foreign relations of this country, which are so far above the knowledge of the War Office, that the Leader of the House might have considered the question of sufficient importance to reply?
Mr. MacCALLUM SCOTTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the "Nation" newspaper is the most prominent exponent in this country of the same views that are expounded by President Wilson and his Government?
Sir H. DALZIELWill my hon. Friend consider whether it could not be arranged that the "Nation" newspaper should be put in the same position as any newspaper circulating abroad, provided that articles on military operations are submitted to the Censor'!
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI think my Noble Friend the Secretary of State would be prepared to withdraw the embargo, provided that the editor of the "Nation" submitted any article on the conduct of the War to the censorship before publication.
§ Mr. WHYTEIs my hon. Friend aware that the "Nation" has been invited to submit all its articles to the Censor?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI was not aware of that.
§ Mr. PRINGLEBecause it is a Liberal paper.