BRITAIN AND THE WAR

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2608, 2 November 1915, Page 5

BRITAIN AND THE WAR

MR. ASQUITH'S PROMISED STATEMENT A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW THE CALL FOR MEN Bj Telegr&pfc—Press AMoolation-Oopyrlgfcl London, October 31. Mr. Asqui til's pronouncement on Tuesday will bo comprehensive, covering the whole field or controversy. Lord Rosebery's suggestion is not likely to be carried out. There 16 a strong impression that the exclusion of Sir Edward Grey would be fatal. It is more likely that a War Committee of not less than five men of the highest eminence will ho appointed. -The Paris "Figaro" says that Mr. Asquith will probably announce on Tuesday that Italy is sending a large army to co-operate with the Serbians on the west front. The Serbians should not despair; help is coming, effectually and simultaneously, from several points. A CRISIS IN OUR AFFAIRS. (Rec. November 1, 10.30 p.m.) London, November 1. The "Daily Telegraph" says: "The general feeling is that we have readied the decisive moments of the war* and Mr. Asquith's statement is anxiously awaited. The recent developments in the Balkans have inflicted a grievous blow to the people's hopes. There is bitter disappointment that so little tangible success has rewarded the unsurpassed heroism of the Australians, Now Zealanders, and British on Gallipoli. Distracted by Cabinet dissensions and gravely concerned in the plight of the heroic Serbians, Mr, Asquith faces a nation solidly united for war, insisting tbafc the peace which must be concluded will assure the downfall of German militarism."

ATTACK ON MR. ASQUITH A "ONE-MAN GOVERNMENT," London, October 31. Mr. Robert Blatchford, the well-known Socialist, writing in the "Weekly Dispatch," denounces Mr. Asquith as the man chiefly responsible for all the blunders of the war—all the unreadiness, timidity, and hesitation "It is untruo," he writes, "that we have a Government of twenty-two. It is really a Government of one man, who failed before the war and has failed during tho war." LORD MILNER ON REGENT CRITICISM. "BLUNDER PILED ON BLUNDER." (Rec. November 1, 8.5 p.m.) London, October 31. Lord Milner, speaking at Canterbury, defended recent criticism of the Government. "No task is more obvious," he said, "but if we gloss over mistakes like, say, tho blunder piled on blunder at the Dardanelles, we cannot expect to have any improvement." WHAT WE HAVE FAILED IN. (Rcc. November 1, 11.30 p.m.) London, November 1. Lord Sydenham, in a letter to the "Times," says: "AVhat wo have failed in is in tho superior direction of tho war. If we are to deserve confidence at Homo and overeias our methods must be radically changed. Tho Empire looks to Mr, Asquith for an assurance that tho system which has plainly failed will bo abandoned, and 6uch mistakes as have occurred renderod imi possible in future." " CAUSE AND EFFECT. A DISAPPOINTING SPEECH. (Rcc. November 1, 11.30 p.m.) London, November 1. The Paris "Journal" says: "Lord Lausdowno's speech caused much disappointment. The British troops were ordered next day to co-operato with the French, and crossed the Serbian frontier forthwith." • • ' GENERAL JOFFRE BUSINESS IN LONDON CONCLUDED. London, October 31. General Joffro has returned to France. He had a most,hearty sendoff-.

BIG SCHEMES IN THE AIR. (Rec. November 1, 10.30 p.m.) London, November 1. The "Daily Chronicle" sayatbat as the result of General Joffre's visit comprehensive action will follow. New armies are being organised, whioli may result in a cheek to the enemy equal to that which was achieved at the Battle of the Marne. Paris, November 1. Tho "Temjis" states that General Joffio met Lord Kitchener to decide upon common measures in the Near East, and that tho result will be the Bending of reinforcements to Salonika. NEW FRENCH CABINET COMPLETE ACCORD WITH GREAT BRITAIN. London, October 31. M. Briand, in a message to Sir Edward Grey, says the new Cabinet will adhere strictly to the policy of harmonious collaboration with Great- Britain in the common struggleSir Edward Grey reaffirmed Great Britain's unswerving co-operation with France. SUVLA BAY FAILURE STRONG CRITICISM (Rec. November 1, 8.5 p.m.) London, October 31. An article in the "Weekly Dispatch" runs: "After the landing at Suvla Bay hours were wasted when minutes were precious. Tho passion for drill was indulged in to the utmost; trenches were dug in useless positions, and the night marches were muddled. British reinforcements failed to hold Sari Bair, which one-tenth the number of Anzac troops had held previously, because the new troops had never been trained to sucli fighting as had to bo faced in Gallipoli. No single scapegoat can be made. ■ Australia and New Zealand, in addition to Britain, are possessed by a consuming desire to know who is jointly responsible with the General who commanded at Suvla." THE CALL FOR MEN ARM BADGES FOR PATRIOTS London, October 31. Lord Kitchener is issuing khaki armlets for men who have enlisted and are awaiting the call, and colours to those who offered to enlist, but have been medically rejected, and thoso wllo havo been invalided out of tho Army or hav« been medically discharged. LORD DERBY'S APPEAL

London, Ootober 31. Lwd 1361' by (head of the tecnutiug ouunaiiuil. in a iatty; tA gjj« Rjbetfc

Perks, treasurer of the We«leyan Methodist Churoh, in regard to the intercession war services m the Wesleyan Ohurchcs, says; "Yours and the other great Nonconformist Churches have re Bponded nobly to the oountry's call." SOUTH AFRICAN VOLUNTEERS. London, October 31. The first South African naval contiu gent has arrived at Plymouth. 'AUSTRALIA'S WATCHWORD. Melbourne, November 1. Tha Minister for Defence (Senator Pearee) says that thore is no need for peesimißm because of the enemy's temporarj euocesn liera and there. It is no time to talk of abandoning Gallipoli or losing hope, but they must send more men, munitions, and money, with every confidence in the brains of those who are directing our military strategy. THE RAILWAYMEN'S RESPONSE. Mr. J. H. Thomas, Secretary of the Railwayman, in apepaling for greater labour efforts, announced that ninetytwo thousand raihvaymen had enlisted.