The Henson Journals

[19]

Tuesday, September 15th, 1914.

42nd day

Bright sun and a violent wind. The British Press Bureau denies positively that any Russian officers or men have passed through this country, and says that the statement that Russian troops are in Belgium is to be discredited. Yet for many days the report has persisted, & has been supported by a great accumulation of personal assertions, more or less direct. The episode throws a curious light on the value of human testimony. There is very little new information in the papers, but what appears is still favourable. The Home Rule Peril lifts its head again. The Prime Minister's announcement that the Bill is to become law is an ugly reminder of our normal party conflict. Ella accompanied me to Chester–le–Street, where another recruit–raising meeting was arranged to be held. It was under cover. Lord Durham was there, & the usual plethora of speakers. The audience had too senior an aspect to allow the hope that many recruits were obtainable from it.

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Issues and controversies: irish home rule