SECRET SESSION OF BRITISH PARLIAMENT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3082, 12 May 1917, Page 9

SECRET SESSION OF BRITISH PARLIAMENT

GENERAL SITUATION DISCUSSED THE. SUBMARINE MENACE • (Ker.. May 11, 10.55 p.m.') _ _ ~ , „ . London, May 11. The Press Bureau issues the following report of the secret session of the Houso of Commons :— Mr. Winston Churchill dealt with the general naval and military situation, especially tho position of Russia, the development of the struggle on the Western front, America's strength, the submarine problems, and the Balkans. Ho inquired as to our marine losses and food supplies. ■ Mr. H. Page Croft and Mr. G. J. Wardlo also spoke. The Prime Minister (Mr. Lloyd George) dealt fully with Mr. Churchill's points, commented on Austria's internal_ situation and Germany's military position in ' relation-to reserves, contrasting it unfavourably with ours. He quoted from the Anglo-French military chiefs in regard to their satisfaction with the result of the recent operations on the AVestern front. He also explained the proposed methods of satisfying tho War Office's demands for further reserves. Mr. Lloyd Georgo also gave figures showing the British tonnage that had been sunk every month since August last, and gave an encouraging account of the methods adopted to meet attack by submarines. He also gave tho. figure? showing the tonnage to be constructed during the next twelve months, and pointed out that with the productivity of homo supplies there was no fear of starvation in Britain. "We will be self-support-ing in 1918. It is unnecessary to re-state tho Allies' war aims,, which are well known." Mr. Asquith expressed his full agreement with the Prime Minister, but deprecated any secrecy over the matters discussed. Hardly anything had been said which could not havo been said openly. He invited Mr. Lloyd George to publish the bulk of his speech.—Aus.-N;Z. Cable Assn.-Reuter.