18 MAY 1918

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As to the extension of the British front, Mr. Lloyd

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George said that the question, though discussed, was not decided by the Versailles Council, at which General Maurice was not present. The extension had been agreed upOn by Sir...

Mr. Lloyd George described the motion as unprecedented. General Maurice

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had remained at the War Office after the Prime Minister's speech of April 9th was made, but had not complained of any mis- statements to him, or the Cabinet, or the Chief of...

In the House of Commons on Thursday week Mr. Asquith

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moved for a Select Committee to inquire into General Maurice's letter impugning the accuracy of statements made by Mr. Lloyd George and Mr. Bonar Law. His motion, he said, was...

For the present, then, we leave our criticism of Mr.

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Lloyd George in order, as the plea is, that he may have full power to get on with the war, and with the arraying and uniting of all the anti-German forces in the country—a...

NEWS OF THE WEEK.

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I N to-day's issue we have finished our outline history of Mr. Lloyd George's Administration and its origins. The task has been neither agreeable nor popular. It would have been...

Whether it is popular or no, or whether a hypnotized

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public opinion condemns us or does not condemn us, we mean to make the maintenance of these three pledges the test by which to judge Mr. Lloyd George. If they are kept inviolate...

His first pledge was to apply Conscription to Ireland, to

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apply it at once, and not to let its application be made dependent upon his Home Rule schemes. As he himself put it, Conscription in Ireland is required in order to supply and...

The third pledge is one which, if not directly made,

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is implied in all Mr. Lloyd George's speeches. It is the pledge to fight German influences, and to fight them to the uttermost, wherever they are to be found, whether at home or...

THE PAPER SHORTAGE.

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TO OUR READERS.—The shortage of paper has obliged us to adopt the policy, already adopted by many of our contemporaries, of refusing to allow the " Spectator" to be "on sale or...

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Lord Curzon, addressing the Primrose League on Friday week, expressed

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his belief that the country, the Army, the Allied Forces, and the Empire as a whole would sooner have the present Prime Minister at the helm than any other statesman. The...

It was stated by the Under-Secretary for War on Thursday

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week that a man had been put ashore in the West of Ireland by a German submarine, and that he had hem arrested- and con4oed in the rower and would be tried by Court-Martial....

General Marshall in Mesopotamia has continued his pursuit of the

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retreating Turks on the road to Mosul. Last Saturday our cavalry were at Altun Keupri, the " Golden Bridge," on the Lesser Zab, and drove the Turks across the river. Altun...

On Wednesday the Daily Chronicle made the interesting announce- ment

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that Sir Frederick Maurice has become its military critic. At the same time it published an important " personal explanation " from General Maurice. In his explanation of his...

On April 20th he read the full report of the

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speech for the first time, and on April 30th, the day after he left office, he wrote to the Chief of Staff pointing out that the statements which he sub- sequently quoted in his...

It was announced last Saturday, on the authority of Mr.

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Baker . Secretary of War, that America has already over five hundred thousand troops in France. On that day London had an oppor- tunity of inspecting and appraising the men that...

The old cruiser ' Vindictive,' laden with concrete, was sunk

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on Friday week acmes the entrance to Ostend Harbour, between the piers. The operation begun on St. George's Day, when the canal entrance at Zeebrugge was blocked, was thus...

The Observer has invited us to believe that the Maurice

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letter was the result of something like a regular military conspiracy, and that the evil genius of the movement was Colonel Repington. For our part, we thick that Colonel...

The pause in the great battle on the Western Front

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still continues. The enemy has made several local attacks—north of Kemmel on Thursday week, near Albert the same day, near Moreuil last Satur- day, and near Morlancourt in the...

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The Austrian Emperor visited the German Emperor at his headquarters

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last Sunday and accepted some new agreement for the " extension and deepening of the existing alliance." A semi- official telegram from Vienna says that this " defensive "...

Lord Newton announced in the House of Lords on Tuesday

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that the whole question of the exchange of prisoners is to be considered afresh. This decision is the sequel to an agreement for an exchange of prisoners concluded by the French...

Mr. Boner Law stated on Monday that General Trenchard had

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accepted " the command of a very important part " of the British Air Force in France. We fear that no new post will be really adequate for the late Chief of the Air Staff, whom...

The Times on Monday printed an account from a correspondent

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in Italy of a mutiny in the Austrian Navy last February. The sailors and arsenal workmen at Pola ceased work for a week, until their demands for a relaxation of discipline were...

The fourth Report of the Liquor Control Board shows that

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the decline of drunkenness still continues, thanks chiefly to the re- strictions imposed on the sale of spirits. In the scheduled areas of Great Britain, including ninety-five...

Great Britain, through our Minister at Stockholm, has promised to

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recognize the independence of Finland, provided that she releases imprisoned British subjects, grants free passage for people and goods through her territory, opens her...

We wonder whether any one has seriously thought out the

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financial difficulties of Federalism. In all true Federal States, like the United States and Switzerland, the different communities exist on a basis of financial equality. There...

The House of Commons on Monday rejected by 166 votes

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to 110 the experimental scheme of Proportional Representation which had been prepared by a Royal Commission since the passing of the Franchise Act. The scheme applied to eleven...

One small piece of evidence about the relations between Sinn

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Fein and Germany is very curious. It is reported that among the sovereigns which have recently come into currency in Ireland are some which bear the date 1871. Those interested...

Through the State Department at Washington we are favoured with

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a characteristic example of German propaganda. Spain has received a circular cataloguing German loot in France and Belgium, including even " 417 high-grade watches," to say...

Bank rate, 5 per cent., changed from 5/1 per cent.

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April 5,1917.

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H THE PRIME MINISTER'S PLEDGE. ERE is Mr. Lloyd George's pledge

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to the people of North-East Ulster, made on March 7th, 1917 :— " In the north-eastern portion of Ireland you have a population as hostile to Irish rule as the rest of Ireland is...

TOPICS OF THE DAY

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• THE HISTORY OF MR. LLOYD GEORGE'S FIRST AND LAST (I) ADMINISTRATION.—III. MR. LLOYD GEORGE AND THE PRESS. M R. LLOYD GEORGE'S relations with the Press appear at first sight...

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THE DEBATE ON SIR FREDERICK MAURICE'S LETTER.

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I N the debate on the Maurice letter Mr. Lloyd George had a sweeping and unquestioned Parliamentary success. He has had many notable Parliamentary successes at critical moments...

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ULSTER AND FEDERALISM.

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A LTHOUGH it cannot be supposed that the Government have proceeded very far with the drafting of their Home Rule Bill, it is clear enough that they are thinking of nothing but a...

OUR IMPENITENT PACIFICISTS.

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M CLEMENCEAU'S action a few weeks ago in publish- . ing the confidential letter of the Emperor Karl has led to a fresh outbreak among our own Pacificists. They are now arguing...

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THE PRESERVATION OF VANITY.

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1 T is said that we are all vain ; but are we ? No such luck. We were born vain, it is likely enough ; but many of us fell an early prey to the sporting instincts of the...

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THE AMERICAN MARINES.

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" I thank you for permission to go ashore."—" Aren't you the cook ? "—" Yes, Sir."—" How long do you want ? "—" Just till six bells, Sir."—" Who're you leaving in charge of the...

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIE,—A careful study

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of General Sir F. Maurice's letter of the Eth inst., and of Mr. Lloyd George's speech of the 9th idem, reveals some important facts, amongst which are: (1) That the Director-...

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—I am most

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heartily in accord with your remarks re Major- General Maurice and his letter to the Press. The only person who emerges from that incident with credit is the Major-General. The...

(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR, — The Spectator's attacks

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on Mr. Lloyd George are a grief to many of your readers, and we marvel at the strange company in which you are finding yourself. The enemies of the Government form just now a...

THE PRIME MINISTER AND HIS CRITICS.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR,—The recent attitude of the Spectator towards Mr. Lloyd George and the Government is a source of infinite regret to the many readers of...

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

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getters of the length of one of our leading paragraphs arc often more read, and therefore more effective, than those which fill treble the space.] THE TREATMENT OF GENERAL...

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FARM TENANCIES.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE SPECTATOR."] Sia,—Referring to the letter from your correspondent Mr. C. S. Robinson (Spectator, May Uth), if professional land-jobbers are liable to...

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.'

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Sut,—As one who has no time to master the refinements of political intrigue, and has no desire to indulge at this or any other time in the pastime of party polities, I would ask...

WASTE OF PAPER.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR. " ] Sni,—We are exhorted to study and practise economy, but how many causes of waste go unchecked ? There is a shortage of paper, as you tell...

IRELAND AND PROPAGANDA.

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(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") SIR, — Archdeacon Bor is right. Why have not our authorities, who have been at pains to conduct tours of political party repre- sentatives...

SOME WORDS FROM PASCAL FOR THESE TIMES. [To THE EDITOR

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OF THE " SPECTATOR."] Sta,—The Ministerial Press calls for new whips in D.O.R.A.'s hands, for the repression of all who dare to speak any more against our Prime Minister. (See...

ULSTER AND HOME RULE.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR.—In your issue of the 11th inst. you say that Ulster has never claimed the right to veto Home Rule for the rest of Ireland. I venture to...

HALT!

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[TO . THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR.—" The Government have the clearest evidence iq their session that the Sinn Fein organization is and has been is alliance with...

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A DOG STORY FROM THE WESTERN FRONT.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR, —Our chaplain at Chantilly, the Rev. H. W. Armstrong, sends us the following illustration of animal intelligence which will interest...

NOTICE.—When "Correspondence" or Articles are signed with the writer's name

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or initials, or with a pseudonym, or are marked " Communicated," the Editor must not necessarily beheld to be in agree- ment with the views therein expressed or with the mode of...

POETRY.

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THE HIGHLAND HILLS TO THE HILLS OF • INISFAIL. Lo: we be Queens together. Magic and Memory bind us, breast to breast. By the curlew's darkling cry and the rose of heather...

A CAMBRIDGE GRIEVANCE.

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(To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.") Sin,—In view of the very large number of Cambridge men who are readers of the Spectator, may I bo permitted to make use of your columns to...

THE DANGER OF UNCONTROLLED ZIONISM.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Mr. Grad tries to show in your last issue that the League of British Jews, which, like the Catholic Union of Great Britain, has been...

MRS. SHERWOOD.

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[To THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—A memorial to Mrs. Sherwood, of Fairchild Family fame, is shortly to be placed by subscription in the Cathedral at Worcester. She had...

A PROHIBITION VOTE IN HULL.

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[To 7IIE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—May 1 bring to your notice the significant results of the Referendum on War Time Prohibition in this city? They are all the more...

" HOWLERS."

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] SIR,—The following are two examples of what one may call "Con- tinental English " which I observed when abroad some years ago. (1) In tl►e...

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AMERICAN LITERATURE.•

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THE special features, aims, and scope of this valuable Supplement to the Cambridge History of English Literature are clearly laid down in the Preface. It is on a larger scale...

BOOKS.

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THE ECLIPSE OF RUSSIA.• DR. DILLON'S very able and depressing book on Russia during the past forty years will dispel many illusions. The burden of it is that the Tsardom was...

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BLUNDERS IN WAR FINANCE.*

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PROFESSOR SHIELD Nienorsors has done a real public service by reissuing in book form a number of essays and newspaper articles which he has contributed during the course of the...

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READABLE NOVELS.—In Russia's Night. By Olive Garnett. (W. Collins, Sons,

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and Co. 6s.)—Gives a detailed picture of the life of an Englishwoman married to a Russian before the war. The author writes with full knowledge of her subject.— The Lyndwood...

GLANCES BACK.■

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Ma. SIMS'S Glances Back is a book which will appeal chiefly to the middle-aged—to those, we mean, who can look back a long way. A man who sees his youth well behind him, and who...

FICTION.

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THE PROMISE OF AIR.* SOME readers may take this story as a mere irresponsible fantasy ; others as a foreshadowing of anew millennium, in which man will be at home in the air,...

SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

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[Notice in this column does not necessarily preclude subsequent review.) Bath : its History and Social Tradition. By an Appreciative Visitor. (John Murray. 2s. 6d. net.)—This...

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The Problem of " The Merry Wives of Windsor." By

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J. M. Robertson. (Chatto and Windus for the Shakespeare Association. Is. 6d. net.)—Mr. Robertson is an acute and interesting critic of the Shakespeare canon. In this essay he...

A History of Ancient Coinage. By Percy Gardner. (Clarendon Press.

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18s. net.)—Professor Gardner's treatise is an. example of good co-ordination. From the innumerable memoirs on separate city coinages he has written a connected history of...

The British in Capri, 1806-1808. By Sir Lees Knowles. (J.

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Lane. 15s. net..)—This large book, with many fine portraits and views, is devoted to a small and far from creditable incident in our military history. Capri was captured by Sir...

Du Contrat Social. Par J. J. Rousseau. Edited by C.

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E. Vaughan (Manchester University Press, and Longmans and Co: 5s. net.)— Professor Vaughan's very able edition of Rousseau's famous book deserves a word of praise. His edition...

Soldata de France : Grognards et Hera, de Vingt Arse.

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Par- le Comte de Lort de Serignan. (Paris : Perrin. 6 fr.)—These inter- esting biographical essays on French soldiers of the Napoleonic age relate-to veterans like Captain...

We welcome the first monthly number of the Anglo-Italian Review,

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edited by Mr. Edward Hutton (Constable and Co., Is. 3d..). It opens with a frank and significant article on " England and Italy," pointing out how grievously Italy has been...

The new number of History, the quarterly journal of the

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His- torical Association (Macmillan and Co., ls. net), contains an in- structive article by Sir Paul Vinogradoff recalling bygone " Troubled Times in Russian, History " as an...

With the R.A.M.C. in Egypt By Sergeant-Major, R.A.M.C. (Cassell and

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Co. 6s. net.)--This very able and interesting book gives a full account of the work of the Royal Army Medical Corps in Egypt from the outbreak of war to the capture of El Arish,...

The Estate Book of Henry de Bray. Edited by Dorothy

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Willis. (Royal Historical Society. Issued to members.)—Miss Willis has edited with great care and skill the curious estate book kept by a small landowner, holding about five...