SIR EDWARD CARSON DECLARES HIS VIEWS

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2599, 22 October 1915, Page 5

SIR EDWARD CARSON DECLARES HIS VIEWS

OUR TASK IN THE BALKANS CLEAR-CUT DECISIVE POLICY DEMANDED Bjr Telegraph-Press Assoolatfon-Oopyrlslit London, October 20. Sin Edward Oarson, from a front Opposition bench, made a personal explanation. He said he found himself at complete variance with the Cabinet o:i questions relating to the Near Eastern policy. He felt, therefore, that his presence in the Cabinet was a source of weakness, and not of strength. He said emphatically that, there had. been absolutely no personal disagreement, and no party questions were involved. Every member of Cabinet had only one idea, that of carrying the war, at all sacrifice, to a final and conclusive issue. He acknowledged that there had been great difficulties in co-ordinating our policy with that of our Allies, and also. in consulting the sentiment of neutrals. The position, however that had arisen in the Balkans would necessarily lead to far-reaching resjilts. • Need For Clear And Decisive Policy. We were already committed. Sir Edward Carson said, to. operations on Gallipoli from which the new operations in'tlie Balkans could not be divorced. In his opinion, the situation necessitated a clearly-defined and well-thought-out, decisive policy; and, finding himself unable to agree ill any respect with the Government's policy, he felt that his presence would no longer be useful. This did not suggest that his views were comparable with those of greater experience and wisdom; but he held them strongly, conscientiously, and patriotically. (Cheers.) . TENSION CONSIDERABLY RELIEVED., (Reo. October 21. 3.40 p.m.) ■ London, October 20. !sir Ed.vard Carson's statement somewhat relieved the* tension, because it has localised the cause of the disagreement in the Cabinet. The specch was received sympathetically by the House and in the lobbies, where warm tributes to the speaker's sincerity were voiced. Mr. Asquitli is improving in health, and expects to attend at' the House of Commons on Tuesday. OPINIONS IN THE LORDS. (Rec. October 21, 8.40 p.m.) r t j t • j t London, October 21. In tfle House of Lpras Lord Lansdowne, replying to a question, said it had been suggested that Sir Edward Carson's resignation might be connected with Home Rule. They knew Sir Edward Carson to be sufficiently confident that at the present time he would not allow himself to be deflected by his old political views. ' ' / AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, AND THE DARDANELLES FEDERAL AND DOMINION PREMIERS DESIRED IN JjONDQN. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) T . , .. ~ ~, , . London, October 20. In view ot the questions which have arisen in connection with the Dardanelles, leading Australasians resident in London urgently desire the presence pf Mr. Andrew Fisher and Mr. Massey. Australasian representation on >tno war Council, they contend, lias become imperative." " It. is understood that the Imperial Government would welcome the representation owing to the desire to be m closer touch with Australasian feeling. ISo one desires to take the Dardanelles situation other than in a sportsmanlike way, or make distinctions between Australasian and British sacrifices or the interests which the comradeship of the troops at the Dardanelles has further intertwined; but it is obviously impossible on the present reprosontition in London to do what is necessary. _! A MESSAGE TO THE PREMIERS STATEMENT BY MR. MASSEY ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. October 21, 5.5 p.m.) • . • London, October 20. Hie Agents-General have cabled urging tlio Premiers to come to London in December or January to study tho financial situation and express Australians and New Zealand's war sentiments, in order "to increase the weight of Australasian opinion hero. rTlie above message was referred to the Prime Minister last, evening, i\tr, Masse.v said that Ju> '>ad received a communication from tho High Coaunis-

sioner in London (the Hon. T. jMackenaie), conveying something to the above effect. "I am prepared to go whenever my services can be of tile most value," said the Prime Minister. "Of course." lie added, "it would only involve a stay of three or four weeks. The proposal, however, is one for Cabinet to carefully consider, in view of the very important matters which have to be dealt with here."] NEWSPAPER CHALLENGES RECENT MINISTERIAL UTTERANCES. ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) London, October 20. The "Daily -Mail," in a. leader referring to recent Ministerial utterances, declares: "We say plainly, and we take the responsibility for so doing, that it is not true, as every German and Turk knows, that we are oil the eve of a great victory in the Dardanelles." THE LANDING AT SUVLA BAY COMMANDING OFFICER NO LONGER HOLDS A COMMAND. (Rec. October 21, 7.6 p.m.) London, October 20. In the House q{ Commons Lieutenant-Commander Wedgewood asked who commanded the trooas at the landing at Suvla Bay, and whether lie was still in command. Mr. H. J. Terinant (Under-Secretary for War), replied that the officer concerned was no longer in any command. Ho did not think, in the publio interest, he could say more. REPULSE OP THE GERMANS ON THE SAVE SERBIAN FLANK ATTACK ON THE MORAVA ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) (Rec. October 21, 5.5 p.m.)/ London, October 20. The "Tageblatt" says that "the Serbians are fighting with desperate, courage and tenacity, feverishly resolved to defend'every inch of ground. They do not recoil before our bayonets. This desperation explains the smalluess of our captures." 4 London, October 20. •The Germans were repulsed north of Shabatz (on tho Save),, and are retiring in disorder. Buoharest, October 20. The Serbians captured some of the German positions near Pojarevatz, on the right bank of _ the Morava, and are now attacking tho Germans' flanks. The battle continues. REPORTED RECAPTURE OP SEMENDRIA (Rec. October 21, 8.10 p.m.) Paris, October 20. The "Intransigeant" states that the Serbians have retaken Semendria. A message from Salonika states that numerous detachments of Turks with strong artillery are marching along tho Greek-Bulgarian frontier towards Serbia. ' GERMAN OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE. ' (Roc. October 21, 8.10 p.m.) Amsterdam, October 20. A German communique states: "The Austrians are advancing towards Shabatz. Fighting is proceeding in the Ripani distrct, southward of Belgrade. The Bulgarians, by quick action, have captured a hill south-westward of Egri Palanka, and are advaucing towards Kumanovo. They captured two thousand. BULGARIANS OCCUPY VRANIA AFTER, A MOST DESPERATE STRUGGLE. Nish, October 20. A communique 'states: The Bulgarians between Vrania and Ristovatz have occupied positions commanding tho railway. Communication is interrupted. DEFENDERS KILLED TO A MAN. . London, October 20. The "Daily Telegraph's" Rome correspondent says that, although tho Bulgarians have occupied Vrania, the town is little more than a mine-field. The struggle for its possession was of the most desperate character. The Serbians defending it wero killed almost to tlio last mail. It is reported that ten thousand Bulgarians were killed in attacking Vrania. The correspondent adds that advices from German sources show that the campaign in Serbia is of a dreadful character. There has been desperate ficliting in the vicinity of Mounts Branvo and Pasulich. Many women, girls, and boys have been shot down by the invaders as they are fighting side by side with the Serbian soldiers.

REPORTED EJECTMENT OF THE BULCARS (Rec. October 21, 7.40 p'm.) London, Octobcr 21. Athens reports that the Bulgarians have been thrown out of Vrauia, and that the railway communications have been restored. BULGARIAN OFFICIAL REPORT. I ' ' . Sofia, October 19. A Bulgarian communique, states: We have captured Vrania, cutting the railway from TJskub to- Nish. The populace at Vrania hoisted white flags, and welcomed the cavalry with cries of "Zivio." Later there came a hail of bullets from every house. Troops advancing; from Egri Palanka captured a Serbian battalion. KAISER FLATTERS THE "FUTURE MISTRESS OF THE BALKANS." (Rec. October 21, 7.30 p.m.) London, October 20. The Kaiser, m a proclamation to the Bulgarian Army, exalts its-courago and heroism, and adds: "Bulgaria is destined to become' mistress of the Balkans, and to reign on the Black Sea, the Aegean, and the Adriatic." BULGAR CAPITAL TO RESIST A. SIEGE. (Rec. October 21, 3.30 p.m.) ■n _L* -o 1. . p , ~ London, October 20. Reports from Bucharest state that Sofia has been put into a state of defence to resist a siege. The neighbouring chain of hills has been covered with a network of trenches and barbed-wjre defences, constructed bv German engineers.- There has been a rapid concentration of Bulgarians on the BliHSea coast, close to the Rumanian frontier. ALLIES BLOCKADING BULGARIAN COAST SLUMBERING FIRES OF REVOLT. (Reo. October 21, 3.30 p.m.) Mr.. Martin Donohoe says that the R ltss i all Consul"™' Dedeagatcb°' who ha* arrived at Bucharest, confirms the report of the Allies' blockade of the Bulgarian-Aegean coast. 'Iho enemy is' feverishly fortifying the littoral The Cons..! considers that the appearance of Russmr. twops in Bulgaria Ferdinand 6 S ' S a.general revolt of the-army and people against King ITALIAN FLEET SAILS UNDER SEALED ORDERS (Reo. October 21, 11.30 p.m.) 'A Brindisi dispatch states that the. Italian squadron" has sealed orders. Its supposed objective is participation in the blockade nf Bulgarian ports. - ■ GREECE REQUESTED TO STOP SHUFFLING AGAINST WHOM IS THE ARMY MOBILISING ? The "Mbunn's". Athens correspondent states tlj.at°tho° AllS^have advised M. Zaimis to relinquish his equivocal policy, which they are not nrenared to tolerate. 1 1 ■ . He is also asked for a clear explanation of the Greek mobilisation and invited to say against whom the army is being mobilised. "HOUR t)F VAGUE GENERALITIES IS PAST." (Rec. Octobcr 21, 3.30 p.m.) in l 4.1 i in- i lr . . London, October 20. Athens papers assert that the Allies' Ministers have told M. Zaimis (the Greek .Premier), that tic hour for vwtue generalities is past; and that Greece must decide speedily whether she is with or against the Allies. A TEMPTING MORSEL FOR GREECE. (Rec. October 21, 6.33 p.m.) ...... . • , , London, Octobcr 2fJ. . . bptnm lias ufteraa Or«W!« tliMwiuul «f C!,v»rus ou condition that she joms m war. Greece w conßidenaa the offer,

(Rcc. October 21, 10,15 p.m.) London, October 21. Greece's reply Ims not yet reached London. The "Daily TelonrapW Athens correspondent states that the offer is creatine; a favourable impression, and is regarded as a substantial proof of bntiun's goodwill, which is not lakinm th-> form of a promise for tho future which the Germanophile .party suggest that Britain could not carry out, but. an actual and immediate concession in the event of the Greeks intervening in support of the Allies. THIRTY THOUSAND ALLIED TROOPS AT NISH, _ London, October 20. lhe 'Star" announces that thirty thousand British and French troops liave reached Nisli. (Rec. October 21, 7.40 p.m.) ~ London, October 20. iteporfcs from Bucharest'state that thirty thousand Anglo-French troops nave reached Nisli, and that other contingents are marching "towards Negotim ana 1. re novo to assist t'lie Serbians on the north-eastern fronts. "THE ONE GREAT RIDDLE OF THE WAR." ("Times" and Sydney "Sun" Services.) . London, October 20. nd m ' 'Daily News" publishes a Berlin telegram, which states: — Salonika is still the one great riddle of the war. It is reported that most or the British and French troops there have been taken from Gallipoli, indicating, if true, that the Allies admit the complete failure of their effort to °P e . n th® Dardanelles, despite the loudly-proclaimed ' successes in the papers, wmoli have turned out. to bo disastrous defeats. It is a fact that tho new terror to the Allies—the increased activity of tho Gorman submarines in the Mediterranean —gave tho deathblow to tho Dardanelles operations last spring." THE OPERATIONS IN GALLIPOLI A WEEK OF SUBTERRANEAN FIGHTING. (Rec. October 21, 8.10 p;m.) London, October 20. The Press Bureau states that General Birdwood (Acting-Commander in the Dardanelles) reports: "There is little to say about the operations above ground. Last week there was considerable mining activity ou both sides. The Turks fired a mine at Hill Sixty which exploded beneath their own lines, causing much damage to tlie Turkish trench and none to ours. Elsewhere they exploded our trenches, hut- tho garrison had already beSu withdrawn. Five miners who bad been buried, and given up for lost, ieappearcd three days later. They had dug themselves out, and were little the wore® for their ordeal." HOW WE FARE AT ANAFARTA. (Rec. October 21, 11.30 p.m.) London, October 21. British prisoners at Constantinople have informed the Associated Press Agency's representative that the position at Gallipoli was a _ trying _ one. Water is scarce at Anafarta, where there is only one well, which is in the hands of the British. This has been replenished with supplies, which have been brought from Itnbros Island and Salonika. From this well the British are supplied in half-pints. The daily allowance of food is six biscuits, preserved meat, candy, and jam. Poor health is the result, and thero have been several cases of dysentery. The heat and dust are severe handicaps. The Allies could I not have said that the troops they had recently landed on the Peninsula weTe firefc-class. They wern too young.' • A Constantinople communique states: "There have been artillery duels and skirmishes at Anafarta. Our coast batteries at Ari Burnn silenced hostile torpedo boats, which were unsuccessfully bombarding our position. "The enemy on Sunday fired over a thousand shells in the Seddul Bahr region without result."