Great Britain

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 275, 18 November 1914, Page 5

Great Britain

THE BALKAN STATES. AN ATTEMPT TO COMPROMISE BULGARIA. Times and Sydney Sun Services. (Received 8 a.m.) London, November 17. From Sofia, come dismal rumours of the existence of an entente between Bulgaria and Turkey, circulated in an endeavour to compromise Bulgaria in the eyes of Britain. BRITISH PREMIER SPEAKS. United Press Association. London, November 16. Replying to criticisms in the debate Mr Asquith said Lord Kitchener had drawn up a scheme for increasing the pay of junior officers, which the Treasury was considering. General French was freely utilising bis powers to promote non-cons, and privates to commissions for gallantry and services in the field. Britain was not a free agent in the matter of war correspondents, and was obliged to regulate her proceedings by the wishes of her Allies, who had the chief share of the fighting. ALIENS INTERNED AND ABROAD

(Received 9.0 a.m.) London, November 17. Mi" McKenna (Home Secretary) stated that 145,000 aliens were interned in the concentration camps, and 28,000 were still at largo. THE COVETED VICTORIA CROSS. (Received 9.0 a.m.) London, November 17. Five officers and four non-oommis-sioned officers, including two sergeants of the L. Battery, have been awarded the Victoria Cross. Two officers who were recipients died of their wounds. THE PRINCE OF WALES OFF TO THE FRONT. (Received 9.0 a.m.) • London, November 17. The Prince of Wales has joined Sir John French's staff. He went to France yesterday.

PROMOTION FOR DISTINGUISH-

ED BERVICE.

(Received 9.0 a.m.) London, November 17. Sir Douglas Haig has been promoted to be General for distinguished service in the field.

STATEMENT BY MR ASQUITH.

London, November 16

In the House of Commons, Mr Asquith said that no war news had been withheld except under stress of immediate exigencies. While supplies were being withheld from the enemy, it was necessary not to act high-hand-edly with neutrals. Larger supplies of coal were going to Scandinavia, because the German supplies had stopped. He denied that from 30 to 40 per cent, of the soldiers were suffering from preventiblo diseases, from drink, and other causes. Careful inquiries had disclosed that from 10 to 15 per cent, would cover all the sickness. He believed that never was a body of men comporting themselves so well, and showing such regard to sobriety and decency of conduct as now. There were, he said, 1,100,000 of the regular army, apart from 200,000 Territorials, but these were not enough.

Mr Asquith said the daily cost of the war was unlikely to be diminished. The larger part of the first hundred million was spent on miltiary operations, loans to Allies, and disbursements for the purpose of securing British food supplies, especially sugar and wheat,, The cost would be recouped to the Exchequer when the consumers paid. The greater part of 225 millions would be spent on the Army and Navy, but 45 millions consisted of loans, whereof -30 J millions would go to Canada, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, obviating the necessity for their coming to the London market. A portion, he hoped, would be expended in commodities, which it was necessar to exclude from the use of their opponents.

NATURALISED GERMANS.

(Received 8.45 a.m.) London, November 17

Replying to a question in the House of Commons, Mi- McKenna (Hc*no Secretary) stated that Baron Bruno Schroder, the banker, was naturalised on August 7th, and that Julius Rittershansen, a prominent member of Schroder's firm, was naturalised on September 28. Mr McKenna said he was satisfied it was advantageous to the public to grant them certificates. GENERAL. London, November 16. Orders for Army clothing comprise 5,250,000 dress jackets, 1,500,000 great coats, 7,000,000 pairs of pants, 6,500,000 pairs of boots, 5,000,000 pairs of trousers, 11,000,000 shirts,. 11,000,000 pairs of socks. The khaki ordered from the Yorkshire mills would extend for 10,000 miles. I The King is busy visiting the recruiting camps. He advocates the transfer of the troops from canvas to wooden huts. The Tribune's comments are to the effect that tilings are not going satisfactorily in the matter of raising recruits for the salvation of the British j Empire. J The House of Commons agreed to a war vote of 225 millions, also to an extra million men. Mr Asquith stated that the actual cost of the war was between £900,000 and £1,000,000 daily. i

I The Times' expert, writing with regard to speculation on the possibilities of the War Budget, points out that 'incomes have been lowered owing to the economic disturbance, and any increased taxation will be peculiarly difficult. Nevertheless, the Ministry will possibly propose to meet part of the Iwar expenditure from revenue, and certain articles of consumption previously free will be taxed.

OFFICIAL. The Prime Minister has received the following from the High Commissioner, dated London, November 17th:— Official: The weather interferes with the campaign on the Continent. The country is flooded south of Dixmude. The enemy's attempts to cross the canal failed, and they were repulsed at various points. The siege of Przemysl is proceeding. The Russians destroyed the fortifications. An eye-wit-ness states that the Russian reinforcements consist of young untrained soldiers.