First Lord of Admiralty's Statement at Banquet Created a Furore in Government Circle's London, Apr. 5.
Most newspapers this "morning presented in banner headlines the statement made by Lord Stanhope, the First Lord of the Admiralty, during a banquet last night on. board HAMS, Royal Oak, according to which' very important anti-aircraft measures were {0 have been taken Tast_ night.
The report created a sensation as the Admiralty. later asked that "in national: interest" the statement be ven no publicity.
Mr. Arthur Greenwood, deputy Labour Leader, has announced that would raise the question in the House of Commons.
"The Times" and the graph" failed to met Dut according to the "Mr. Neville Chamberlain, the Prime Minister, very, much regretted the (ext of the speech made by Lord Stanhope who may be relieved of his Alleged Remarks Quoted London, Apr. 5.
Mr. Arthur Greenwood, Deputy Leader of the Labour Opposition, asked the Prime Minister in the House of Commons this afternoon for 'a statement about the official request Yesterday by the Government to the ress not to publish Earl Stanhope's Instructions regarding the manning of anti-aircraft guns of the Fleet.
Mr, Neville Chamberlain said that Earl Stanhope's remarks were not premeditated and denied that he had Invited special publication.
Earl Stanhope, declared the Prime Minister, drew attention to the fact that there was not a full attendance on the Ark Royal in which he was speaking, as some men had been retained' aboard. their owns ships ready to man guns, in keeping with normal practice in times of tension.
Mr. Chamberlain himself had directed that the press be requested not to publish the speech or, alternatively, not to ascribe particular importance to it, He had foreseen that it might be treated in a sensational manner.
London, Apr. 5.
Remarks by Lord Stanhope, First Lord of the Admiralty, made at Portsmouth yesterday on board HM.S. Royal Oak, caused a furore when' the Admiralty attempted to suppress the Information but falled Because it was too late to halt dispatches which had been sent to all parts of the world, it was revealed today.
The "Daily Express" in its early editions used banner headlines, saying, "First Lord's Dramatic announce ment: Al! anti-Aircraft Guns of Fleet manned." Under the headlines, the "Daily Express quoted the remarks of the Earl of Stanhope that all antiaircraft guns of the Royal Navy had been manned. When the First Lord was, questioned yo garding his marks, the "Daily Express" quated him as saying that "the oficial answer is that the fleet is taking pre"
Replying to questions, the Prime Jstinister admitted that Earl Stanhope's lrcaarks were not very happily chosen.
Mr, Chamberlain said that no fresh Naval orders had been issued.
Earl Stanhope, he added, had expressed great regret at having aroused
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