(EXTRACTED FROM THE DIARY OF TOBY, M.P.)
_House of Commons, Monday, 23rd November._--Dull sitting suddenly
stirred to excitement by Apparition in Khaki starting up from below
Gangway on Ministerial Side. It was WEDGEWOOD (_sans_ BENN). Wanted to
know what advice Government are prepared to give civil population as to
how they ought to behave in event of German invasion.
"Are they," asked the warlike WEDGEWOOD, "to take it lying down and let
the Germans walk over them? or shall they make the best possible stand
for their country?"
From above Gangway in neighbourhood of LEIF JONES' seat came tremulous
voice exclaiming, "Fight!"
Thus encouraged, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to War Office, who day by day
grows more martial in figure and manner, pointed out that "the first
duty we [meaning the Army] and the Navy have to perform is to prevent
invasion. That failing, our duty is to drive the invader into the sea as
fast as ever we can."
Illustration: _Mr. Tennant._ "OUR DUTY IS TO DRIVE THE INVADER INTO THE
SEA."
As to action of civil population emergency committees are being formed
in counties where there is danger of invasion, and instructions are
being issued by them. What those instructions are TENNANT strategically
declined to disclose.
After this reassuring statement Consolidated Fund Bill immediately
passed second reading.
Later fresh protest, led off by Lord BOB and emphasised by BONAR LAW,
against arbitrary conduct of Censor in dealing with the Press.
"We ought to stick to this till K. caves in," says the MEMBER FOR SARK.
"The Press Bureau has about it stamp of things 'made in Germany.'
Importation of other classes of these goods is prohibited. Let us either
get rid of the Press Bureau or have it remodelled on principles of
common sense, in accord with public feeling and concern for best
interests of the Army."
_Business done._--Stout bundle of Bills advanced a stage.
_House of Lords, Tuesday._--The ways of the Press Censor are past
finding out.
He worries the British Press day and night. He stands in the way of
recognition of exceptionally gallant deeds on the battle-field by
particular men or regiments. He arbitrarily strikes out passages from
the letters of War Correspondents who, forbidden to approach the
fighting line, laboriously pick up such scraps of information as may
filter through its outskirts. He holds over for days, sometimes for
weeks, official despatches from the Front, for which the Public are
eagerly waiting. Occasionally, by way of exhibiting his desire that not
a moment shall be lost in communicating important information, he, about
midnight, by preference an hour later, dumps down upon hapless
newspapers just going to press the material for whole columns of print.
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.
* * * * *
Illustration: THE SOLICITOR-GENERAL KNOWS NOTHING OF SEDITIOUS IRISH
NEWSPAPERS.
* * * * *
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 L6,000 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."
Touched lightly on rout of Germans in Poland with which the world is
ringing; but said nothing about capture of KAISER'S cloak. SARK suggests
that this interesting robe should be put up for sale to highest bidder
(as if it were the First L1 note), proceeds to be contributed to Fund
for Relief of Belgians. This would give opportunity for remarking that
having taken off his coat to devastate the homes of the Belgians,
WILHELM gave them his cloak also.
Suggestion worth thinking about. Certainly something attractive about it
in way of poetic justice.
_Business done._--In the Commons UNDER-SECRETARY FOR INDIA gave glowing
account of the gallant deeds of Indian troops fighting in three
continents.
_Friday._--After heartening speeches by CHANCELLOR and FIRST LORD,
together going to show that "we've got the ships, we've got the men,
we've got the money too," Parliament adjourned till Tuesday, February
2nd, with promise that, if necessary, it can be specially summoned at
any time on six days' notice.
* * * * *
"The Germans did not even hesitate to bring up heavy artillery which
quickly became embedded in the mud, some of which has since been
found by our troops."
_Press Association War Special._
From what we hear, our troops have found all the mud they want.
* * * * *
"In reply to Mr. JOYNSON-HICKS, Mr. MCKENNA said:--Germans cannot
land in the United Kingdom without the express permission of the
Secretary of State."