Late War News

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 December 1916, Page 3

Late War News

(Australia-New Zealand f'uble Serviro.) (Received This Day 9 a.m.) THE RT. HON. H. 11. ASQUITH'S SPEECH. London,, Dec. 19. In the House of Commons the ,Rt. •Hon. H. 11. Asquith was loudly cheered. He heartily congratulated the Rt. Hon. D. D. Lloyd' George on attaining the Premiership. He re-echoed his disclaimer re party tiee and lie did not claim the leadership of the Opposition because it did not exist. He noiW spoke as leader of the Liberals and desired to give the Govrnment all the support possible, and the benefit of his experience. Though unspeakably relieved at having cast off the almost unsupportahle burdens of office he regretted he was compelled to leave unfinished the task whereon he so long had strenuously wotTcccl. Though thore had been eri*»rors of judgment and method, he emphatically denied that the late Government was guilty of slackness, was not thorough, or lacked whole-heart-edttess. It was impossible in wartime to' reply to irresponsible mudslingers. He was content, when the facts were disclosed to leave his Government and his own part to the judgment of history. iMr Asquith reviewed the British contribution to the war—army, navy and finance. Much had been done (he said) to minimise the results of the enemy's violation of maritime warfare. 'He believed the arming of merchantmen- wae tho best safeguard. Evidence existed that the blockade of Germany was sapping German vitality and the thoughts of German people towards peace. He considered th© prospect regarding finance and transport serious, but this did not justify misgivings still less alarm, but tho problems would not be solved by short-cuts and coups de main, ns outside critics imagined. Be agreed that Mr Lloyd George's opinions as to Rumania, bad been bad business, but it was impossible and undesirable at present to apportion responsibility, .He illustrated the necessity for more intimate co-operation of the Allied staffs and politicians, which geographically was difficult. If Mr Lloyd George devised more expeditious communications, he would render the greatest possible service to the Allied cause. Mr Asquith paid tribute to the Somme armies and Sir Douglas Haig's generalship. The .primary object of the Somme operations, he said, was to relieve Verdun, which for months had been the principal objective of German strategy. The loas of Verdun would have been the greatest blow to the Allied cause and the war. Mr Asquith asked why Germany, professedly confident of victory, had begun to utter suggestions of peace. It was not chivalry, but was born of military and economic

necessity . He did not soe the slightest reason to 1 believe that Germany was prepared to give reparation and security; if they were prepared, lot them say so. Germany wanted u;> to enter blindfold into negotiations leading to nothing. The only peaco worthy of the name could come on one condition only; a peace that made amends for past wrongs to the weak and downtrodden, and restored faith in treaties. The sovereignty of public law was the security enthroned over the nations of the world.