IN THE COMMONS.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 March 1917, Page 1

IN THE COMMONS.

Churchill’s Criticism. (Australia & N.Z. Cable Assocvition) LONDON, March o. Hon W. Churchill in the Commons, criticising the Balkans expedition said that the Salonika, expedition was closely associated with the tonnage and manpower problems. We might . have provided an arm,* early in the war capable of decisive insults in the Balkans; but when Bulgaria entered, Germany obtained a route to Constantinople, because,it was impossible for us to carry thither an army of sufficient size,’ and it shoma have been recognised that the hour for successful intervention in the Balkans had passed. When the Expeditions’ history is told it will be found full of unsuspected tangles and complications, hut it must he remembered that the Expedition is still there, and involves upon us obligations of honour. Apart from military considerations, wc need an increasing army in the Balkans.

Simultaneously our tonnage is steadily decreasing, and is a problem of the greatest complexity and gravity, ana the .Entente must consider M. Vemzelos” claims, which an honourable Government could not brush aside. Mr Churchill advocated secret sessions, enabling a frank discussion of such matters.

India’s assistance, coupled with the extent to which India is yet able to supplement our man-power are important, and the. policy of the India Office had the effect largely of shielding India from our sirrows, wlireas India’s enormous manhood is practically untouched.

Hopes and Fears LONDON, March 5. Continuing, Mr Churchill said than u the Secretary for India a year ago haci endeavoured to raise half the divisions which lie, Churchill, then advocated this would have realised probably ninety thousand British in Egypt and Salonika for the West Front and Mesopotamia. He complained of the. inadequate use of African man-power, and pointed out that although great 'masses of British cavalry were maintained in France only one squadron had found an opportunity for tactical use in 1915.

Mr Churchill hoped that the Government would not commit the armies to a vast policy of attrition unless it was absolutely certain that wo could pursue Rich a policy to an effective conclusion. It would be foolish not to prepare for a 1918 campaign, and unless it were possible to strike a decisive final blow it was better patiently to develop our superior resources until that was possible.

We have no right to count upon events turning immediately and decisively in our favour, and wc ought to use our whole world’s man-power in every case and clime for fighting behind and in our lines. We must use the highest forms of machinery and it would be fatal to wit " draw skilled labour from our factories for the trenches.

We could make a eertainity of 1918 and there is still time for that. A SECRET • SESSION.

The Hon J. J. Masplierson in replying said the Salonika expedition involved a high policy but. lie could not reply to the questions as they should not be raised except in a secret session as

the Government was pressed to disclose this ltign policy. Mr. Mncphcrson hoped for a large increase men of from all parts of the Empire. Further Discussion. Bonar Law in DefenceLONDON, March 5. The Hon. W. M. R. Pringle in the House of Commons, moved a reduction of the vote by £IOOO, and urged that the War Office should make the utmost possible use of existing figures, and he described the Salonika expedition us wasteful and involving an unwarranted call on shipping.

The Hon Mr. Bonar Law said it was impossible to disclose the Government’s intentions towards Salonika or to discuss the merits of the expedition policy. It must not be for our brains alone, we must act in concert with our Allies and if the expedition were abandoned Orece would bo thrown open and tlio whole Balkans would pass into the enemy’s hands. Our Balkan supporters would then be placed at the enemy’s mercy and we know how they would he treated. He was unwilling for a secret session unless there was a strong demand and the Government could not frankly discuss Salonika, even in secret. He recognised himself the disadvantages of the expedition and the Governmut was fully aware of all the circumstances and worry.

He could not say more than mat there had been difficulties, because those Allies who were particularly interested in Greece and the Balkans had not always taken the same view of our policy, but that was now a, common policy whose main object was to ensure that we should not run the former risk of being attacked from behind, and in me event of a German advance he thought that was a great stop. (Cheers.) No threats had been used to induce "Ron mania to enter and he did not think that because the Roumanians war had proved so disastrous that it resulted in Roumania suffering that which the Entente would have done anything to prevent, that was any reason to condemn the Entente.,