SIR ALFRED MILNER AND MR. JAMES MOLTENO
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "srlicraToa.1 Stn,—Though I have failed to obtain from you a recognition of the possibility of there being two opinions upon the
matter at issue between us, I ventured to leave your readers to judge between us. The following quotation is from a letter received by a friend from Sir Edward Clarke, and I have his, as well as Sir Edward's, permission to use it. As your action is mentioned therein, I think that Ishould send it to you in the first instance :-
" is I told you when we talked about the matter, Mr. Molteno was perfectly justified in publishing a faithful and full report of his interview with Sir Alfred Milner. It was not in any sense a private interview, Sir Alfred Milner was aware that what took place was to be reported to the body of gentlemen whom Mr. Molten() represented, and in the circumstances which have now occurred I think there was good reason in the public interest that the statements made by Sir Alfred at that interview should be published. I think the editor of the Spectator has treated Mr. Molteno unjustly in this matter."
I have received from several of your readers spontaneous expressions of similar views.—I am, Sir, Ste., PERCY A. MoLTENo.
[We shall not repeat our arguments in regard to this matter, but we cannot profess to be in the least shaken by
Sir Edward Clarke's opinion. It is not a matter for authority. Each man must judge for himself what he considers to be honourable or dishonourable. In the case in point we do not experience the slightest hesitation, nor, we believe, will the vast majority of our readers.—En. Spectator.]
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