22 JUNE 1929, Page 2

Ethics of -Journalism That the unsolved Minorities problem is a.

" menace to Europe "—perhaps the most deadly of all—we -are all agreed. Yet when one of our most important Sunday newspapers publishes an article with that title, over the signature of the new Prime Minister of Great Britain, there is not unnaturally a certain commotion in those countries whose conscience is not altogether clear. French and Italian Nationalists are confirmed in their distrust of the new Government. Progressive opinion in this country, and indeed throughout the world, on the other hand, dubs it an indiscretion, but welcomes it as a definitive break with the policy of subservience- to an outworn diplomatic creed. We are not concerned here with the question of policy. It appears, however, that the article was written in February, and therefore bears no relation to any position, which this country may take up as a result of the Election. And that places .a grave responsibility on the agency which released and the newspaper which published the article Without consulting Mr. Ramsay, MacDonald. Ministers are not to be accused of irresponsibility so long as the Press is not free from the charge. We hope that thiS will hasten the movement for an international Press Court of Honour which has we knoii, the unqualified support of the Secretary- General of the League. - - •