In the Commons.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 8, 27 August 1914, Page 3

In the Commons.

THE GOVERNMENT'S PROGRAMME.

[By Electric Telegraph —Copyrightj [United Press Association.] London, August 26 When the House of Commons resumed the Chamber was crowded. Mr Asquith said the> Government di-.l not propose to resume the right to capture the enemy's merchandise in neutral vessels, j h ,

Mr Lloyd George 1 introduced a Bill giving power to call in new banknotes, and substitute others less easily forgeable; also empowering the Treasury to issue certificates instead of notes to bankers, enabling the latter to assist traders.

Bills were introduced restricting the sale and consumption of alcohol during the war, also permitting Britishers to ma,ke any German: patent. The Government is, considering the appointment of a committee to develop the chemical industry, hitherto largely in the hands of Germany. , A conference of National Labor Committees decided on an immediate effort to terminate all existing trade disputes, and to ask the Government to use its influence with employers to stop overtime in order to minimise unemployment. They will ask the Government to subsidise trade unions, to enable them to continue their sick and superannuation benefits. Mr F. 1). Acland," Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs, in reply to a question, said the United States Ambassador in London had sent £2OOO to the Ambassadors in Berlin and ienna for the relief of Britishers; also that Germany had allocated £IO,OOO for the relief of foreigners. Mr Asquith, in the House of Commons, stated that General French reported that the withdrawal of troops was successfully effected. There were over 2000 casualties. Mr Asquith continued that the troops were hard pressed but shook off the enemy. The British troops, in spite of the opposition, hard marching and fighting, were in the best of spirits. Lord Kitchener, addressing the House of Lords, said that if the war outlasted their term of three years others would take their places and see the matter through. Mr Asquith told the House of Commons that he was informed tho losses of the British contingent were 2000.

Lord Kitchener, in the House of Lords, said that tho troops at Mons were, for '56 hours, in contact with a superior force, and maintained the traditions of the British soldiers with the utmost gallantry. The movements demanded great steadiness in the soldiers and skill in their commanders. Lord Kitchener said he had telegraphed to General Sir John French to congratulate the troops on their splendid work, and added, "We are all proud of them." Lord Kitchener continued that lie knew how deeply Franco appreciated the prompt assistance of Britain at the very outset of the war. Britain's moral and material support must prove a factor of high military significance, in restricting the sphere and determining the duration of hostilities. Had the conditions of strategy permitted, everyone in Britain would have rejoiced to see ns ranged alongside tho gallant Belgian army in her superb struggle against deseprate odds. Lord Kitchener, in the House of Lords, said that Belgium knew of our sympathy and indignation, and in the end their sacrifices would not ho unavailing. Countries under conscription had brought their full resources into the field. We had a vast reserve in the Mother Country and the overseas Dominions. The latter's response had abundantly proved that we had not looked in vain to those sources. I"

Great Britain, 70 battalions of Territorials had already volunteered for foreign service. The second army of 100,000 was already practically secured. Behind these were reserved the special reserve, and the national reserve. Each had its part in the national defence. The field army we wero creating might xise witlnii the next six months to 30 divisions (560,100 men), but if the war were protracted and fortunes varied, or if there were adverse operations, sacrifices beyond any which had been demanded would bo required of the British Empire, and when these were requited he was sure they would not bo denied to tho extreme needs of the Sta*;e by Parliament or people. (Cheer'). Lord Kitchener added: "The Empire with whom we are at war have calbvl to the colors almost the entire male population. The principle that Great Britain is observing is that while the enemies' maximum force undergoes constant diminution, reinforcements that Great Britain is preparing shall bo steadily increasing and will flow out until we have in the field, in numbe-s as well as in quality, an army whicn will not be unworthy of the power and responsibilities of the British Empire. I cannot at this stage say what will be the limits of the forces required, or what measures may eventually be necessary to supply and maintain them."