1 can assure you that the general opinion in this
city, as far as I have means of judging, coincides with your views as to the return of Mr. Winston Churchill to office. The news of his ap- pointment was received here, in many quarters, with something approaching consternation, as, though there had for some time been rumours that it was possible, no one really believed that the Government -would deliberately flout public opinion in such a manner. A very sinister feature of the case is the almost com- plete absence of criticism by the Press. With the exception of your own very moderate protest and the strong "leaders " of the Morning Post, no protest whatever has been made by the leading papers, even from quarters where, judging from previous criti- cisms of Mr. Churchill, one would have expected very strong articles. I do not propose to enter into the question of the "pros" and "cons" of Mr. Churchill's reign at the Admiralty, but I would merely remind Mr. Irvine that the preparedness of the Nary and its disposition at the outbreak of the war have generally been placed to the credit of the then First Sea Lord, now the Marquess of Milford Haven.—I am, Sir, dc.,
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