THANKS TO THE FORCES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 269, 9 August 1919, Page 7

THANKS TO THE FORCES

SPEECHES IN THE COMMONS

ELOQUENT PRAISE By Telegraph-Press AfsoclatioD-CSopy'lent London, August 6. Moving in the House of Commons the resolution of thanks to the forces of the Empire for their services in the great war, Mr. Lloyd George opened his speech with a eulogy of Marshal I'V'h. The war would have been won by tho Vigour, endurance, and resources of (he Allied armies without (Marshal ,Foch's leadership; but only his genius had made victory in 1918 possible. "'.!>• declaration of war ras a challenge to the nobility of our race. .No nation could have disregarded it. without losing its self-respect; had we done so, wo would have been a demised people. VYo owe thanks to Mr. Asqutth and Sit Edward Grey for taking tho decision which saved the land from shame." , . ~ One of the most thrilling events in the history of the woi'.d, said the Prune Minister, was the rallying of millions of men to the flag. That episode would always he honourably' associated with the great, name of Lord Kitchener. The speaker doubted if in any war such multitudes of men had displayed such n sustained character. What was true of tho battlefield was equally true of tho sea. The mercantile marine had faced horrors even worse than those of the battlefields. Fifteen thousand men had fallen victims to the most cruel and dastardly piracy ever perpetrated. Everywhere, on land and sea and in the air, the strain on heart and nerve, the will and courage of the. men was beyond anything described in tho history of the world. It was a matter of just pride that Britain had fought better, displayed greater daring and endurance, and delivered more vigorous, mightv, and terrible blows in ilio Just year of the war than, ever before. Mr. Lloyd George paid an eloquent tribute to the women's auxiliary services. Regarding Hie Dominions, Mr. Lloyd Georgo said it. was onlv necessary to pei-use the truly dazzling list of victories gained by the gaFant overseas troops in order to realise the greatness of their ■ share in the happy issues of the war. "We wjoice as much, as they, that the Dominions, through the valour of their sons, have, won a prominent place in the fraternity of nations." Mr. Lloyd George then spoke of tho industrial workers, to whom tlio nation owed the celerity, efficiency, and completeness with which its armies wero equipped. The House was deeply affected when the Prime Minister referred to the men and .women who had borne the nicking strain of anxiety and grief. "Only on the Great Day," he said, "will we know how much agony .was brought into millions of home?, -and Hie measure of silent heroism .displayed by those who have shown iiich uuulitie?, and would show them again to save the Motherland from dausrer, if need comes through mnro subtle and therefore more formidable perils."—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Awn. TRIBUTE TO LORD KITCHENER. London, August (!. A uiolion of thanks to tho .Forces, similar to that placed before the House of Commons, proposed by Lord Gurzon in the House of Lords (as already cabled). Tho Earl of Crewe paid a high tribute !o Lord Kili'liener, ns the only British S[inii»ter who ever laid down his life in vm: The House parsed the voles stand-ing.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

THE MONEY GRANT. London, August (!. Aflor the. House of (,'ummon.s had agreed 011 the vote of thanks to tho Forces, Mr. Lloyd George, In moving tho money grants, pointed olit that, the pensions already voted amounted to ninat-y----eight iniiMons a year—incomparably iho most goned-ous provision in Europe. It was, ho said, a difficult and delicate task to choMo the names for the grants of.inonev. Mr. Lloyd George paid a glowing tribute to each recipient, speci-it-lly mentioning the great organising work of ford .Tellicoe. The German account of the Battle of Yprcs', he said, showed that Field-Marshal Lord French had won against overpowering odds.. From that moment Germany's military suoroniaoy wn.= irrcitrievnb'y doomed. Mr. Wi-A damson, on liehalf of the Labour Partv. moved the reduction of the total of'the votes from .K5.5.000 to .£200,000, on the ground that the amounts awarded are out of prouoTtion lo the ranks filled by the recipicnls.-Aus.-N./i. Cable Awn. . (Rec. August.B. 10.15 p.m.) London, August 7. In the House of Commons. Mr. T. W. Inskip protested that General Birdwood had not received a sum nnual to the other Army commanders. This differentiation had censed dismay in tho hearts of the Australian?, who regarded him with a devotion unique in tho annals of the Army. Mr. Adamson's amendment. wa6 rejected by 28S votes to 60.—Ans.-N.-Z. Cable Assn.

. PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE GRANTS AUSTRALIANS TN.DiGNAXT. London : August 7. A.n Australian Press representative interviewed prominent Australian officers, who' said that the invidious distinction against General Sir W. B. Birdwocd in connection with tho rewards for war services bad aroused acute indignation throughout the Australian Force. It was felt that the only reason for the discrimination was General Birdwood's wholehearted- championing of the Australians throughout the campaigns in GaQlipoli and on the West front. The fact that General Birdwood was .overlooked in the honours list, after tho evacuation of Gallipoli, had already been the subject of attention. It must be admitted that of tho five Army commanders now rewarded, General Bird wood had received an Army command most 7'ecently, but seniority has not been l.bo guiding factor. General Birdwood stands third among tho five in seniority. The other four receive-a peerage and .£30,000 each, and General Birdwocd a baronetcy and XIO.OOO. General'Birdwood had had the difficult task of reorganising tho Fifth Army after the German breakthrough, although the' army wns engaged in but little fighting afterwards, compared with the strenuous earlier period. Tho discrimination has caused Burprisn in British Army circles, because it perpetuates the memory of tho Fifth Army's catastrophe before. General Birdwood was given the command.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

MR. LLOYD GEORGE HONOURED BY THE KING AWARDED T.HU ORDER OF MERIT. (Rcc. August 8, 10.13 p.m.) London, August 0. The King, in a letter to Mr. Lloyd George, said:—"ln tho honours'and awards to the Army, Navy, and Air Force now submitted to Parliament I feel that tho p'coplo must share my regret that, it is not possiblo to express the nation's grateful recognition Mid preeminent services the Prime Minister has rendered both in carrying on (he war to a. victorious end anil securing an honourable peace. To mark our high appreciation of your services it gives mo gieat; pleasure to confer <yn you Ihe Order of Merit."—A Cable Assn.