• * * * There are some things in this
war which, I think it may be claimed, redound to the credit of journalists. A few hours after these words appear—just too late for any specific reference or comment in this issue of The Spectator—an announcement of the first international importance is, I believe, to be made officially. The facts it will record have been known in more or less accurate detail for weeks in every newspaper-office in London, and re- mained completely unknown to all but an infinitesimal fraction of the general public. Yet not only has there been nothing ap- proaching a disclosure anywhere, but not even, so far as I know, a single one of those oblique hints which might, without actual infringement of any confidence, be thought to bring the writer a certain kudos. And the silence is due, not to any fear of penalties, but to the sound and loyal understanding that has, with hardly an exception, prevailed through this war between the papers and the Government.
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