23 FEBRUARY 1918, Page 2

Mr. Asquith went onto express in plain terms the public

dis- quietude .caused, not merely by the enforced retirement of .both Lord klli000, and Sir .William Robertson, but still more by the fact that In each case the retirement was preceded by "a hostile Press campaign, virelent,and unscrupulous." Mr. .Asquith was doubtful whether the public .would find adequate compensation for such losses in the feet that Lord Derby remained at .the War Office and that Lord Beaverbrook had been entnisted with the conduct of our propaganda at ;home. Mr. Asquith reminded the :House that

• be lad done nethipg to embarrass the Government in prosecuting . the war, but it. was the duty of Parliament not to refrain from "at once animated and restrained by patriotic anxieties."