London, Apr. 5.
Guests at the performance of a naval film on board the aircraft carrier Royal Oak yesterday evening were surprised by the statement by the First Lord of the Admiralty, Lord Stanhope, that a number of guest: could not attend the performance because shortly before he had left the Admiralty it had become necessary to give the order to man the antiaircraft guns of the Navy that they night be prepared for anything which might happen. The Navy takes precautionary measures, Lord Stanhope declared. "The Navy is always pre-tored."
When Lord Stanhope made that statement, a great number of seats reserved for officers was not occupied because they were at that time at their posts at anti-aircraft guns.
The unexpected declaration by Lord Stanhope caused a great sensation among the spectators but the performance went on as arranged.
Shortly after Lord Stánhope's statement became known, the Press Association informed all its clients that "int the national interest" Lord Stanhope's statement should under no circumstances be—publisned.—Trans-Geean.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.