A '• Times " Correspondence In some countries The Times
is still regarded, sometimes with disastrous results, as the most representative organ of British public opinion ; in this country that reputation is being rapidly lost because of a disingenuousness which appears to have become inveterate. On Monday this week The Times published a letter from Mr. J. A. Spender, attack- ing Sir Archibald Sinclair for his severe criticisms of the Prime Minister. Mr. Spender may or may not be justified in his view, but his letter demanded an instant reply on behalf of the thousands of Liberals who do not share it, and especially because of the effect Mr. Spender's letter might have on the North Cornwall by-election later in the week. Thus nine Liberals, including Lord Meston, the Chairman of the party, wrote a reply expressing their confidence in, and gratitude for, Sir Archibald Sinclair's leadership. Their letter was rejected by The Times ; but, having been sent to the other national dailies, it was later printed in The Times correspondence columns as " a letter which has been circu- lated to the Press at large." This description was, to say the least, misleading, and it was noticeable that the truncated version of the letter which appeared in The Times omitted two passages, the first demanding Mr. Churchill's entry into the Cabinet, the second emphasising the need for a vigorous opposition and for free discussion and criticism. Indeed, after its peculiar handling of the reply, The Times could hardly have printed the second passage without a blush.
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