BRITAIN'S PART.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15869, 7 April 1917, Page 9

BRITAIN'S PART.

THE NEED FOR MEN. ARMY'S * REQUIREMENTS UNLIMITED. GERMANY STRONGER THAN EVER. SPEECH BY SIR WILLIAM ROBERTSON. (By Cable—Press Association—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Renter's Tclcgrame.) (Received April 6th. 11.35 p.m.) LONDON, April 5. The Official Press Bureau states Sir William Robertson, Chief of the General Staff, addressing a conference, including trade unionists, regarding the trade card scheme, admitted that the War Office made mistakes like anyone else, but tho country at the outbreak of war lacked national war organisation. It was no use crying over spilt milk or blaming individuals. The whole nation was blameworthy. There had also been mistakes in military operations A but

marvellously fow considering the necessity of using improved armies. "Lot us treat disgruntled criticism with contempt," said Sir Win. Robertson, "and put our shoulders "to tho wheel. Germany had a lone start and was difficult to catch up. Germany is retreating on tho Sommo neither to fool us nor because sho is defeated. Tho fact is sho dare not stand up to further punishment in her old positions. No ono retires in war voluntarily. Germany is not yet beaten. Sho is retiring in order to becomo stronger. Germany is now numerically stronger than over. Sho has more divisions in tho field than in 1916, and a million more 6oldiers. She has been enabled to do this by overriding international and human laws in Poland, Bolgium. and elsewhere, and also by , compulsory civilian service. We need men to meet this desperate effort. It is impossible to put a limit 011 the Army's requirements in men. Wc need ! all that can be spared. Our immedii ate needs are 000,000 men before July, otherwise undoubtedly the war will bo prolonged." Sir William Robertson paid a tribute to the Empire's achievements and sacrifices hitherto, but appealed to everybody to put forth further efforts and make an even greater sacrifice before it was too late, in order, with God's help, to secure the freedom for which we wero compelled to fight. THE NAVY'S PART. ADMIRAL JELLICOE SPEAKS. WAR MUST BE WON ON LAND. (Received April 6th, 7 p.m.) LONDON ,April 4. Tho Official Press Bureau states that at tho Trade Card Confercnco Admiral Sir John Jellicoo supported Sir William Robertson regarding tho need of men for the Army. r lhe Navy s business, as far as tho Army was concerned, was to hold tho ring, get tho Army to its destination, and maintain communications. "Tho Navy alone cannot win the war," said Admiral Jellicoe. ■ "It must bo won on shore. 1 hope, if the German ships come out to fight, they will not return." Referring to the submarine menace, Admiral Jellicoo said that submarines formerly attacked merchantmen on tho surface, now they wero forced to attack under water, which, although it greatly limited the submarines' activity, was far more difficult to counter. ..Continuing, Admiral Jellicoe said that in'order to obtain security, largo numbers of small craft wero required. He therefore appealed to shipbuilding men to do their utmost. Thero was no one sovereign remedy for submarine methods. There was a combination of devices for dealing with submarines, and fresh schemes wero daily being introduced. Sir John Jellicoo added: "Whilst it is true that tho submarines are not getting off scott free, there is undoubtedly, a serious time before the country Food economy must be the order of the day." Admiral Jellicoe paid a tribute to the gallantry of the men of the Mercantile Marino, and said the menace could lie successfully combated if food consumption was kept down to real necessities, and each worked hard in his own sphere with the singlo aim of successfully ending the Avar at the earliest moment.

THE LIQUOR TRADE. GOVERNMENT PURCHASE POSTPONED. ("The Times.") (Received April 7th, 1.20 a.m.) LONDON, April 4. "The Times" states that the Government purchase of the liquor trado has been deferred, owing to compensation obstacles. THE FOOD PROBLEM. NEW RATIONING ORDER. MEATLESS DAYS AND NO POTATOES. (Router's Telegrams.) (Received April 6th, 6 p.m.) LONDON, April 4. The Official Press Bureau states that Lord Devonport, Food Controller, has issued a new public meals order, applicable to hotels, clubs, boarding-houses, and other public eating places, declaring a meatlcs 3 day in London on Tuesdays, and elsewhere on Wednesdays, and no potatoes except on meatless days and Fridays. Tho order fixes the following scale: Four meals daily, with 2oz of bread, and 2-7 th of an ounco of sugar at each meal, meat 2oss at breakfast and soz at each luncheon and dinner, an allowance of 2oz of flour for pastries. The order does not apply to boardinghouses with under ten bedrooms or eating houses charging a maximum of Is 3d per meal. THE POSITION NOT IMPROVING. LONDON, April 4. Lord Devonport estimates that the new order of food supervision will save an average of 60 per cent, of meat, 53 per cent, of bread, and G3 per cent, of sugar. He would not say that the situation was getting worse, but it was not improving.

BREAD SUPPLIES. GOVERNMENT CONTROL URGED. (Reuter'a Telegrams.) (Receivod April Gth, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 5. Lord Dcvonport, Food Controller, hae proposed to Cabinet that tlio price of wheat shall immediately bo Used substantially lower than at present, and tho price of bread fixed on tho basis of the new price of wheat. He also suggests that the Government should entirely control the breadstuffs of tho country. ARGENTINE WHEAT. 100,000 TONS AVAILABLE FOR EXPORT. (Received April 6th, s.<j p.m.) BUENOS AIRES, April 5. It is officially expected that 100,000 tons of corn will bo available for export after the needs of the country are satisfied. _■ THE TONNAGE PROBLEM. MAPPING OUT BRITAIN'S TRADE. LOYALTY OF DOMINIONS. (Australian and >\Z. Cablo Association.) (Received April (ith, 20.4-5 p.b.) LONDON. April o. In the House of Commons, Sir Leo Chiozza-Money. Shin Controller, said tho Government had requisitioned 1000 vessels, of which 300 were cargo ships.

They were also combing out vessels in distant parts of tho world and employing them nearer homo in order to bring in tho maximum amount of imports. Tho Government was compelled to even limit tho shipping facilities of tho Dominions which had loyally accepted tho position, despite tho loss suffered. Tho Government was endeavouring to map out the country s trade, providing tho tonnago necessary for imports and exports. Forty-three million tons of cargo were brought to Britain in 1916. EPIDEMIC AT NAVAL COLLEGE. MEASLES, INFLUENZA, AND PNEUMONIA. (Received April 6th, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 5. In the Honse of Commons, replying to Mr R. Shirley Bonn, I>r. J. T. Mac - namara. Under-Secretary to tho Navy, said thero had been a serious epidemic I of measles and influenza, followed by bronchial pneumonia, at Osborne Navnl College. Six deaths has occurred, and thero had been as many as 280 cases at ono time. Tho epidemic had now partially subsided, and thero wero only 76 cases. Similar opidemics had occurred at public schools, four of which wero closca. Tho Houso of Commons adjourned until April 17th. IMPERIAL CONFERENCE. MESSAGE FROM THE KING. KNITTING TOGETHER THE EMPIRE. (Australinn and N.Z. C&blo Association.) (Router's Tclegrame.) (Received April 6th, 6.5 p.m.l LONDON, April 4. The Official Press Bureau states that tho King has sent a message to thw Imperial War Conference, thanking it for ife assurance of tho devoted loyalty of all parts of tho Empire. The messago adds: "Wo aro glad that India is represented for tho' first time at the Council board, and trust that the Conference will lead to a close knitting together of tho wholo Empire, until our efforts bring tho war to a victorious conclusion.'' MILITARY EXEMPTION BILL LONDON, April 4. Tho Houso of Lords passed the third reading of the Military Exemption Bill. . A TRUCE SUGGESTED. DURING PEACE DISCUSSION. LONDON, April 4. In the Houso of Commons Sir W. P. Byles suggested to Mr Bonar Law that tho Government should savo further bloodshed and suffering by accepting tho proposal of Count Czcrnin, the Austrian Premier, for., a truce whilo ponco is being discussed. Mr Bonar Law said ho was unaware that any terms had been offered. Sir W. P. Byles: You could have •peace to-morrow. Mr Bonar Law: Yes, if we surrender, FREEDOM OF MANCHESTER.

TO BE CONFERIIED ON MR ' MASSEY. (Aunlrnlian and "S.Z. Cable Association.) (Received April 6th, 10.45 p.m.) IiOKDON, April 6. • Manchester confers the Freedom of the City upon Mr W. F. Massov. FORMER "WAR, MINISTER'S APPOINTMENT. (Reuter's Telegrams.) (Rtctived April 7th, 1.20 a.m.) PARIS, April -1. General Lyaute.y, former Minister of War, has been appointed ResidentGeneral at Morocco. TOWN FOR TOWN. BRITAIN AGAINST REPRISALS (Australian and N,Z. Cable Assppiatiou.) 0 LONDON, Aoril 4. In the House of Commons Mr Bonnr Law stated that the Government wus not prepared to designate German towns as hostage towns to be destroyed as a reprisal for the French towna destroyed, owing to the German retreat.

GERMANY'S PLANS. WHO WILL PAY THE PEACE PRICE? COLONEL REPINGTON'S VIEWS ("Tl» Time*."} LONDON, April 4. Colonel ltepington, discussing tho mystery of Germany's plans, gives the views of various authorities, who incline to tho belief that Germany, having gained more than alio needs, intends a gradual withdrawal from tho north of France, and a portion of Belgium, eventually making a stand oil the lino Antwerp-Brussels-Namur-Mczieres-Vordun-Metz, and on tho oast front defensively fighting and gradually retiring to tho Niemen and Bug. She hopes she will have exhausted England during tho summer by ruthless submarining. Meanwhile she expects the other Allies to weary by the autumn. She will then enter into peace negotiations rather than face another winter in the trenches, when Germany will bo prepared to make France big concessions, including *i portion or Alsace, and give Russia Courland, And a free •hand to Italy in her gains from Austria. To Eng'nnd she will offer Mesopotamia and Palestine'if they are captured, and the German colonies cxcePt East 'Africa. Sho will also open tno Bosphorous and Dardanelles, but refuse to open the 6traits. Thus the poor dupe Turkey and tho German colonies will pay tho peace price. If more has to bo paid Austria will bo compelled to make sacrifices. Colonel Repington points out that German press statements somewhat j support tnis conception.