The Cabinet and the “Vicious Circle.”

Several members of the Cabinet—­the one that doesn’t meet—­have informed me of their conviction that, in the event of the War lasting on into 1920, there is every prospect of establishing an elementary co-ordination between the various Government departments.  Meanwhile they ask me to correct a confusion in the public mind by which the “Vicious Circle” is regarded as a synonym for themselves.

Manhood and moral.

Every day brings me a sheaf of correspondence in which I am asked to give my opinion as to our prospects of victory in the near future.  I have one formula for reply.  I refer my correspondents to a recurrent paragraph in The Times under the heading “News in Brief.”  It runs as follows:  “At the close of play yesterday in the billiard match of 16,000 points up, between Inman and Stevenson, at the Grand Hall, Leicester Square, the scores were,” etc., etc.  After all, the deciding features in the Great World-Struggle will be manhood and moral.

TROTSKY’S peace overtures.

From private sources, which corroborate the information given to the public, I hear that the Spanish Charge-d’Affaires at Petrograd is the only member of the Diplomatic Corps in that capital who has taken cognisance of TROTSKY’S overtures (which, of course, must be distinguished from TSCHAIKOWSKY’S).  I very much doubt if King Alfonso had a hand in this, though he has more than once intimated to me his desire for peace.

Lansdowne and Lenin.

What with the aircraft strike at Coventry and the activities of Lord Lansdowne, Lenin and others, this has been a great week for Pacifists and Pro-Bosches.  In Germany, where the Press has eagerly followed The Daily Telegraph in giving prominence to Lord LANSDOWNE’S views, it is felt that our EX-FOREIGN SECRETARY ought to receive a step in the peerage, with the title Duke of Lansdowne and Handsup.

THE PREMIER ABROAD.

In conversation with Mr. LLOYD GEORGE on the occasion of one of his flying visits to England, I learned how much he regretted that pressure of time prevented him while in Italy from running over to Venice and ascending the restored Campanile.  While in residence in Paris, however, he had had the pleasure of renewing his acquaintance with the Eiffel Tower.

BROWNING AND SWINBURNE.

During the dark hour of trial through which Italy has been passing, my thoughts have often strayed to Asolo in the Trevisan, the scene of Pippa Passes, by the late ROBERT BROWNING (whom I knew well).  “Italy, what of the night?” wrote my old friend SWINBURNE.  “Morning’s at seven!” replies Pippa.  Those brave words have heartened me a good deal.

O. S.

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