THE ISSUE IN THE BALKANS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3021, 7 March 1917, Page 5

THE ISSUE IN THE BALKANS

IS THE EXPEDITION WORTH WHILE?

AT COST OF TONNAGE

DISCUSSION IN HOUSE OF COMMONS

(Reo. March 5, C p.m.) London, March 5. In the House of Commons, Mr. Page Croft (Unionist) urged the AVar Office to look ahead. It would bo a tragedy if our offensive failed owing to lack of men. Mr. \V. M. R. Princlo moved for a. reduction of the Army vote- by £1000 as an indication that the War Office should mako tho greatest possible uso of the existing figures. Ho described tho Salonika expedition as wasteful, involving tin. unwarranted call on shipping.

Mr. Churchill said ihab the Salonika expedition was closely associated with the tonnage and man .power problems. Wo might liavo provided an army early in the war capable of decisive results in the Balkans, but when Bulgaria entered the bold, Germany obtained a routo to Constantinople. Because it was impossible for \ib to carry thither an army of sufficient size it should have been recognised that tho hour for successful intervention in tho Balkans had passed. AVhen tho history of tho expedition came to bo told, it would bo found to bo full of unsuspected tangles and complications, hut it must bo remembered that tho expedition was still there. "It involves obligations of honour, apart from military considerations. AVe need an increasing army in the Balkans, nnd> simultaneously our tonnage is steadily decreasing. Tim problem is 0110 of the greatest complexity and gravity. The Entente must consider Vcnizelos's claims, which no honourable Government can brush asido."

Mr. Churchill advocated scorer- sessions, onnblinju; frank discussions on such matters. India's assistance coupled with the extent to which India was yet alilo to supplement our man power, were import-ant. The policy of the India Office had had the effect of largely shielding India from. the. sorrows of the war. India's enormous manhood was practically untouched. If the Secretary for India: a. year ago had endeavoured to raise- half tho divisions which ho (Mr. Churchill) then advocated, it would have 'released probably ninety thousand British troops in Egypt and Salonika for tho 'Western front and. Mesopotamia. Ho complained that inadequate uso had been made of our African man-power, and pointed out that although great masses of British cavalry were Tuaiiitaiiicd in France, only for one squadron had an opportunity for taotical use been found in .191.6. Mr. Churchill hoped that tho Government would not commit the armies to a vast policy of attrition, unless they wore absolutely certain that thoy could pnrsuo that policy to ait effective conclusion. It would be foolish not. to prepare for a 1918 campaign, and unless it wore possible to strike a decisive and final blow it would bo hotter to pationtly develop our superior resources until-that were possible. Wo had no right to count on events turning immediately and decisively in our favour. Wo ought to uso tho whole of the world's manpower, of every race and clime, for fighting behind -and in our linos. "Wo must uso tho highest forms of machinery. It would bo fatal to withdraw our skilled, men from tho factories for tho trenches. We could make a certainty of .1918—thoro was still tinio for that.

Mr. J. I. Macphorson (Parliamentary "Under-Secretary to the AVar Office), replying, said that tho Salonika expedition involved questions of high policy. Ho could not reply to questions that should not have been raised, except in secret session. There $:as a strong ease for a secret session if the Government was pressed to disclose matters of high policy. Ho hoped for a large increase of men from all parts of the Empire.

Mr. Botiar Law on tho, Question. Mr. Bonar Law said that it would be impossible to disclose tho Government's intentions in Salonika, or to discuss the merits of the expedition. : The high policy must not be for our brains alone. AVe must act in concert with our Allies. If tho expedition were abandoned, Greece would be thrown open, and tho whole of the Balkans would pass into the oneiny's hands, and our Balkan supporters would be placed at the mercy of our enemies. Ave know how they would be treated." He was not willing to have a secret session unless a, strong demand wore made. The Government 'could not' frankly discuss the Salonika, campaign, oven in secret. He recognised himself the disadvantages of the expedition. The Government was fully aware of all the circumstances. Ho was sorry he could not say more. Thero bad been difficulties, because those of our Allies who' were particularly interested iji Greece and the Balkans had not always taken tho same view of our policy. But there was now a common policy, whose main object was to ensure that we should not' run tho former risk of being attacked from behind in the event of "a German advance. He thought that was a great step. (Ohecrs.) No threats had been used to induce Rumania to enter the war. He did not think that Tiecanse the Rumanians' entry into tho war had proved so disastrous, and had resulted in Rumanian suffering which tho Entente would have done anything to prevent, that there was anv reason to condemn the Entento Powers — Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

BDLGARS SNOWED IP BEFORE MONASTIR RUTHLESS BOMBARDMENT OF THE CITY London, March 5. Renter's correspondent at Serbian Headquarters states that the Bulgarians' trenches before Monastir are snowed up. It is officially estimated that the enemy dropped 2627 shells anti bombs on Monastir in throe months. Forty-three houses wero de-st-rorcd, 300 damaged; 32 men and .iC< ivonien and children were killed, s'.iii] t>7 men and 73 women and chili!:i-» ir.jvu-ed.—Renter. RED BMasaflii ATHENS Athsns, March u. Tho .French Minister has discussed with M. Lambwis (Premier of Greeco) the payment for damages arising out of the events of December 1. M. Lambres sulimitted counter-claims for damages allowedly due for the- Allied occupation of certain points in the city. —Ans.-N.Z. Cablo Assn. DRIFTING TO STARVATION. Rome, March 5. Tim "Tribuna," commenting on tlio ncosrionic situation in Greece, lays she is drifting to starvation. The Entente is still dissatisfied with the political position. Violent hostile articles appear' in the newspapers, and tho Lcagno of Iv.-Korvlsts exists clandestinely.—Aub.N.Z. Cable Assiu