We record with no small satisfaction that Mr. Basil Clarke,
.Director. of Public Ipformation for the Government in Ireland, is bringing an action for alleged libel against the Westminster ,Gazette and Ar..and lire. Francis Apland contained in a letter in the Westminster Gazelle of May 25th. We shall, of course, express no opinion as to the merits, but whether the plaintiff or defendants are in the right it is of the utmost import- ance that the matters of public concern which are involved should be cleared up. The law of libel is the antiseptic of the Press. By making us journalists careful in our utterances it immensely increases the influence of our comments. When a newspaper is a licensed slanderer, and need not justify its allegations or explain and make good its innuendoes, no one troubles about its statements. Its invective falls flat and unheeded. But the benefits of a strict law of libel do not stop here. Their own sense of honour and the pressure of public opinion should compel all persons who hold offices of trust to bring those who traduce them to the test. When a serious breach of duty is alleged, the public wants to know the truth, and the best way to arrive at it is a public trial. Perhaps the worst facet of the Marconi scandal was the refusal of those concerned to bring actions against their accusers either before or after the official inquiry.
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