In the House of Commons on Thursday week Mr. Churchill
defended the notorious War Office circular, whose object was to obtain information from Commanding Officers and their seniors as to the loyalty of the troops in relation to Labour troubles and to the supply of drafts for the Russian campaign. In the first place, it may be recalled that the circular, a confidential document, was stolen, and was published in the Daily Herald. Mr. Churchill said that this breach of decent journalistic traditions was part of a scheme to promote sedition ; and that if trouble arose from that source, he hoped to see the instigators of riot, as well as their catspaws, in the dock. The circular used incorrectly the word " strike-breakers " in relation to soldiers. Mr. Churchill pointed out that no Government would use soldiers as strike-breakers—that Is, as " blacklegs " in industrial disputes. But the Government must and would certainly use soldiers to maintain all public services vital to the nation if they were interrupted by labour war. It was important that the War Office should learn what was the temper of the troops in the.early spring of this year. The circular had elicited much information—and it happened to be reassuring informa- tion, both as to labour disputes and as to Russia. Mr. Churchill paid a warm compliment to the broad-minded and sane atti- tude of many Trade Union leaders towards the State and Its paramount interests.
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