15 FEBRUARY 1919, Page 3

Lord Northcliffe adds that "Mr. Lloyd George depends greatly upon

others, and in order not to lose confidence must be sure of support even though it be the support of ' kept' news- papers and polities.] opponents." We may find an opportunity to return to this article, which is indeed a lurid after-commentary upon the relations of Mr. Lloyd George and the Northcliffe Press during the war. But let it be said now that Lord Northcliffe's article is very valuable. We hope that all politicians will read it. It is a thoroughgoing exposition of the fact that the Press may turn into slaves those among our rulers who allow themselves to be browbeaten by the Press. Lord Northcliffe cannot be greatly blamed when he uses all the power of his organs to achieve things in which he believes. The people who are chiefly to blame are those of our rulers who allow the Press to dictate to them, and to try to usurp the functions of government instead of keeping to the proper and most important journalistic baldness of warning and criticism.