This conscientiously and painstakingly done, he permits certain journals published in Ireland to circulate seditious garbage designed to stop the flow of recruiting which Carson and John Redmond, representatives of contending national parties, have loyally united in encouraging.
In the Commons the other night attention of Solicitor-General, head of this new department, called to notorious matter. Protested that he knew nothing of these Irish papers. General impression in both Houses that it is time he made the acquaintance of the particular organs alluded to and took action accordingly.
Midleton to-night in spirited speech asked what the Government proposed to do? Crewe pleaded that he must have notice of the question. Curzon, ever ready to oblige, promptly undertook to place one on notice-paper.
Business done.—In Commons Budget Bill passed Report stage, Chancellor smoothing the passage by concessions to the brewers and publicans by way of easing burden of additional taxation.
House of Commons, Wednesday.—For some time there has been rumour, generally discredited, that Prince Albert, son of Prince and Princess Christian, had taken active service with the enemy in struggle with whom the best blood of the nation is being daily outpoured. To-day Young asked whether story was true? Premier curtly admitted it.
"Is it considered just and expedient," inquired the Member for Perthshire, amid ominous cheering, "that the British taxpayer should be called upon to pay £6,000 a year for the maintenance of a family which includes this German officer?"
"The Question," replied the Premier, with something less than his accustomed point in dealing with Supplementary Queries, "relates to a particular individual."
House gladly got rid of disagreeable subject. But Sark tells me that, when in due course the pension comes up in Committee of Supply, more will be heard of the matter.
Business done.—Several War Emergency Bills advanced a stage.
House of Lords, Thursday.—K. of K. read brief paper on Military Situation in Flanders. In matter of picturesque detail it did not quite come up to pitch of "Eye-Witness's" despatches from the Front, which in the main it resembled. But it was as comforting as it was concise. Summed up in sentence the position to-day of Expeditionary Force: "Reinforcements have replaced our casualties, and the troops under Sir John French, now re-fitted, are in the best of spirits, confident of success under their Leader."