29 MARCH 1919, Page 2

The newspaper proprietors in question have withdrawn from the Government,

in deference to public opinion. They have retaliated on Mr. Chamberlain, first by protesting against his appointment as Chancellor, and then by denouncing every official action of his. The Morning Post wittily compares their behaviour to that of the pirates in Treasure Island, who " tipped the Black Spot" to any comrade who had offended them. We may add that, when Long John Silver refused to be cowed by the fatal missive, scrawled on a leaf from a Bible, the magic of the Black Spot proved vain. If Mr. Chamberlain goes on with his work and pays no attention to his malevolent critics, he will enjoy the same immunity. He is sure of the support of all sober. minded people, who have no intention of being ruled by a section of the Press.