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THE GOVERNMENT AND THE OPPOSITION

11 January 1915

SIR,—I HAVE READ WITH the greatest surprise the following statement made by Lord Crewe in a letter in your issue of to-day:—

“My object was rather to remind the House that in the suspension of free Parliamentary attack the Opposition Party in the country might partly console themselves by the reflection that the exceptional action taken in the crisis by the Executive has in most subjects of importance been within the preliminary knowledge of one or more of their leaders, and has been taken after hearing their opinions.”

I acknowledge with thanks the courtesy of the Government in permitting Lord Lansdowne and myself to see dispatches from General French, as well as from our representatives abroad.

I have, however, received no information from the Government, which has not been given publicly, as to the steps which they have hitherto taken or the steps which they propose to take for the prosecution of the war, and I am authorized by Lord Lansdowne to state that he is in the same position.

Yours truly,

A. BONAR LAW

As Conservative Party leader, Bonar Law was the leader of the opposition. Lansdowne was the Tories’ leader in the Lords and Crewe his Liberal counterpart.

“THE GREAT WAR”

15 January 1915

SIR,—I WONDER WHETHER you or any of your readers could give me any certain information as to what is or is going to be the official name for the present war. Those of us who have to record matters are in a difficulty with regard to it. The general opinion rather seems to point to the use of the term “European War,” but this, of course, ignores a very important part of the fighting in which this country is concerned in China, South Africa, Asiatic Turkey, and elsewhere.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

A. C. FOX-DAVIES, Editor of “Burke’s Landed Gentry”